My 17 year old daughter was a passenger in a very bad single car accident. She suffered life threatening injuries, and it was truly a miracle that she survived and recovered. We don’t know about any long term effects, but for the moment she’s doing well. \r
\r
My experience with the insurance companies over the 15 months following the accident was frustrating. I never had an experience like this before, and I just went along with what the insurance companies advised me to do. I admit I was also reluctant to find a personal injury lawyer, based on the stereotype of personal injury lawyers that I had – note that I said “had” – I no longer carry that stereotype with me, I’ve since learned better.\r
\r
Well, it took me a while, but in those 15 months I began to figure out the insurance companies did not really have my daughter’s best interests in mind. I found Justin Demerath through the recommendation of a lawyer from California, where I used to live. I wasn’t easily convinced that I needed a lawyer, and I had interviewed several other attorneys before Justin being recommended to me. I guess it’s just part of finding a good attorney, no matter what the type of law, but I never felt comfortable with any of the attorneys I interviewed prior to Justin. Most suggested I could probably get my daughter the same award myself by negotiating directly with the insurance companies instead of paying a commission to an attorney.\r
\r
My preconceived stereotypical notions of personal injury lawyers disappeared when I interviewed and decided to work with Justin Demerath. I challenged him right up front in my initial interview with him, and his passion for helping victims deal with insurance companies was obvious right from the start. From that point forward, I felt like a weight had been lifted from me. The phone calls from all the insurance companies, medical institutions and agencies stopped. Justin dealt with all of them for me. I always knew Justin was working for my daughter’s best interests. I had no idea so much research was involved, even before negotiating with all the companies involved. Justin always kept my daughter and I informed throughout the entire process, so we never felt impatient and knew what to expect.\r
\r
Justin brought this case to a close very successfully. He gave us good advice, and always allowed my daughter and I to weigh the options available so we could make the best choices. Justin never pushed. Justin always demonstrated the highest integrity and honesty. He remained true to caring about helping my daughter first, above all else, throughout the entire lengthy process. To make this story a little shorter, I will finish with three major points I would like to share with you: \r
\r
First, miracles do happen. My daughter survived, and I thank God for all the people who helped her: the first woman on the scene who held her, the emergency personnel, the helicopter crew, the doctors and nurses. I know how fortunate and blessed we are.\r
\r
Second, Justin negotiated a final settlement for my daughter that was about NET 74% higher than the best I was offered and could have done on my own. That’s about 4 times the original offer, AFTER all fees were paid. Even if we had come out with just the same as my original offer, the fact that I was able to hand off dealing with the insurance companies and negotiating, it would have been completely worth it. \r
\r
And third, my impression of lawyers has forever changed. Don’t be a victim to stereotypes. Find help from people who are passionate about helping others. I add Justin Demerath to the list of people who helped my daughter, he just helped her long after that night of the accident. Do I recommend Justin Demerath? Yes, without reservation.\r
more