A Cup Of Coffee With 10 Of The Top Personal Injury Attorneys In The United States: Valuable insights you should know before you settle your case Paperback – 25 April 2015

This book was a pleasure to read because it reveals insights into the way the best of the best personal injury attorneys conduct their practice. There were some very specific examples of the cases which altered and directed the tactics needed to obtain justice for their clients. In one instance, recalled by Collin Kennedy, we are able to see the anguish experienced by Kennedy's desire to ensure justice for parents who had lost their child in an accident which could have been prevented. Kennedy describes a late-night trip to Home Depot in order to buy materials to demonstrate how easily and cheaply an apartment swimming pool gate could have been fixed so that this tragedy would never have happened, and how this demonstration led to a just verdict for the distraught family.This is must-read resource for anyone who is considering settling a personal injury case. There just may be some advice which will help to obtain the desired verdict.

It is somewhat of a paradox to write a review of this book - as 'Yes' I'm reviewing this book. I'm also gauging the title - that - as it implies - it is meant as more of an overview than an in-depth study all inclusive study of 'everything' we need and want to know.The other paradox is - our legal system (and insurance industry) is More than flawed! So I find it a challenge to Only review this book - without the conundrums of the binds that many of us 'injured clients' are stuck in.Like - this book encourages us to choose a 'Good Personal Injury Lawyer' - yet the few means suggested are a couple of websites - that Don't offer the Depth of review I Need. I have NOT found a system or way to local and determine If a Lawyer is 'Good' at what they do - AND a person of Integrity. I have hired various types of lawyers over the years - and without some sort of inside information - end up VERY disappointed - and misled by them.On some positive notes - I Do think there is enough invaluable information in here - that for someone who has been injured (Especially Recently!!) - this book is a Must-Read!It is 249 pages - averaging about 20+ pages per the ten lawyers who contributed. There is some restating what the others have said - for example - Many of them say to have the maximum amount of auto insurance (for injuries) and Uninsured Motorist.These lawyers are from around the country. I happen to live in Massachusetts - yet - none of these lawyers are from New England or even New York.Also - more than one - claims that with the 'Contingency Fee' system - 'Everyone' is included. - That is simply Not So!!There are plenty of victimized people out there - who Can't get a lawyer (or at least a good one) to take their claim on Contingency - and they have No financial resources to hire someone. - And - if it's Not an iron-clad - $$ case - the lawyer will simply Not take it - So that is Not true. (people get Excluded)Here are some highlights from (some) my notes (as I read)p.5 The author interviewed 250 lawyers - to pick from for this book.p.8 (chapter #1) Sam Aguiar (and primary author of this book) He says up front that he loves sports and will use such analogies in his chapter. - Not being a sports person - I'm Glad he did Not go overboard on this.- He mentioned the 'National Trial Lawyers (Association - Alabama??) - which I called - and they offered NO help other than a local referral. (again - How can I know Any In-Depth information about Any lawyer??)p.11 (a book recommendation) 'The Dark Side of Insurance'.p.15 Do NOT sign a 'blanket medical authorization' - limit authorizations to specific information.p.26 (in Ky) 911 calls can be obtained in written transcript.p.27 preservation of phone records.p.23 'How to pick a lawyer'? - (this question is NOT answered)p.32 Trucking accidents - Federal laws are complex!p.42 (chapter & lawyer #2) Janet Ward Black (N. Carolina)p.44 Insurance adjusters are NOT your friend!p.45-46 'Find the Right lawyer - the Right match' (Again - NO explanation as to HOW?!)p.57 beware of Facebook and videosp.58 Insurance companies hiring private lawyers - to follow and investigate you.p.63 'Cost-Benefit Analysis' - done by lawyer (NO formula offered here - or guide)p.67 (chapter & lawyer #3) Gerald Stahl (Michigan)p.68 He's a 10 out of 10 on Av vo (dot com)p.70 Subrogation Rights.p.72 He only takes cases he believes in (I.E. - he can make $$ with)p.76 The importance of having an atty who is known to the insurance companies as being 'Serious' and 'Prepared'. - Different insurance companies - have different philosophies and reactions.p.88 (chapter & lawyer #4) Randy Pelham (Florida)p.90 a 1995 study - an injured party - w/a personal injury lawyer - can get up to 3x the settlement. (No more Recent data?? This is 2015!!)p.91-92 He is a former Miami cop and injured on the job. (his back)p.94 (rule of thumb) on a contingency basis - for a settlement/pretrial - your lawyer gets 33 1/2% and 40% if lawsuit gets filed. - 90/95% of all cases - settle pretrial.p.95 (note) risk of 'losing' and having to pay opposing atty's costs.p.96 Some insurance companies fight and fight.p.97 'A Good settlement - is one where both parties are Unhappy'.p.98 About lawyers lying (and exaggeration) - just to get a case.p.105 Statute of limitations - 1-4 years - depends too on what State.p.107 He does NOT allow clients to tell him How to handle their case. (sounds difficult to work with??)p.120 prematurely signing off and settling.p.121 'Collectability' - actually Getting the money owed in a settlement - or judgement. (can be Difficult)p.136 (chapter & lawyer #6) James Heiting (Calif)p.Av vo (dot com) & Martindale-Hubble (dot com) - sites that review lawyers (at a glance Not deep reviews)p.149 a Very Weird case - woman in a convertible - scalped by a wire - and loss of sense of smell. (odd!)p.152 Some states have caps on mal-practice claims. - Some states have caps on medical malpractice.p.158 (chapter & lawyer #7) James Hagelgans - specialty - auto accidents.p.170 Pitt Bulls account for 50% of all dog bites. (Right on James. - Why Anyone has those dogs - is beyond me!!)p.172 motorcycle accidents.p.173 doctors can find Other symptoms - that were covered up other pains and injuries.p.Medical library Vs. looking up - on-line.p.Trucks (tractor trailers) required to carry Extensive insurance. - And Truck "Recorder Box".p.A 'Soilation Letter" - sending right away - protects client's 'Compensatory Damages'.p.179 'Punitive Damages'.p.181 It is Not legal - for (Opposing) attorneys to 'friend' you on Facebook.p.184 (chapter & lawyer #8) Mark Gaertner, St. Paul Minn.p.He understands how insurance companies evaluate claims!p.190 Insurance companies Love to get recorded statements w/o (your) atty present.p.191 Beware of having the Same doctor treat your whole family.p.199 Deposing a police officer.p.206 (chapter & lawyer #9) Christian Aouge, Fla.p.211 a 'Civil Remedy Notice'.p.215 'memorization' on tape. (beware)p.218 stolen vehicles.p.220 'Interrogatories' = written statements.p.223 A Private Investigator - videoing your evidence of your habits. - Can do something - but with pain.p.226 Photograph Everything - and keep a Diary (as things unfold. - Dates times - comments by others)p.230 (chapter & lawyer #10) John O'brien - Calif.p.232 An insurance company with Not respect a claim - if it does Not believe the lawyer is ready, willing and able to go to trial. - 'Rules of evidence'.p.233 Consumer products.p.234 Must prove economic cost to judge/jury.p.236 Adrenaline often masks symptoms & injuries.p.239 You Must sue the driver of the vehicle. - The jury is Never told if the person has insurance.p.240 'Contingency fee makes system available to Everyone.' (**NOT true. Too Many Are turned away!!)p.234 Video making - a 'a day in the life' - I.E. - how someone is now devastated.Most authors push Max Auto insurance coverage - including Uninsured motorist!!There is much I like about this book - and I took Extensive notes.Well - it might not be a surprise - but this book Strongly encourages getting a 'Personal Injury' lawyer (that specializes).I do NOT know these authors. I only know MY experiences with lawyers.In MY life - I have found 'Bad' ones - and 'Worse' ones.If you (and/or loved one) was injured - I not only encourage you to get/read this book - but do so FAST!!Many issues are time-sensitive.My main issue with both this book - and our (American) legal system - I STILL Don't know how to find a Great lawyer!!This book mentions some websites for rating them - but the information is very shallow and Incomplete.I can go on-line - but everyone is Pushing themselves. - And finding a referral is easy - anyone can recommend theirgolf buddy. - I want to KNOW the track records and experiences of those clients who went before me!!I Still say this is a Must Read - but don't expect it to point you to HOW to find a Great lawyer.**One of My Own pointers - with ANY lawyer; Find out what 'Kind' of lawyer you need - and when calling around NEVER tell them what you need upfront. Ask THEM what THEY specialize in. I've had MANY tell me they are qualified and/or 'Specialize' in whatever I need - just to get my business and Money. : (As this book states - even Within Personal Injury lawyers - some have very specific and focused practices.Make sure you get one - who deals with Your particular needs. - DON'T ask them what they do - have THEM tell you.Thanks, Scott M.

I enjoyed this book for the things we all should know, such as Mr. Kennedy's writing about the influence of social media on cases and new laws coming down the pike about texting while driving. We better listen and learn. Excellent teaching and written so anyone can understand.

Collin Kennedy's section was enlightening and refreshing. With just the right amount of humor!