Drunk driver with no insurance totaled my car — now I'm drowning in lawyer calls and confusion

I was in almost this exact situation a couple years ago — uninsured driver, my own UM coverage doing the heavy lifting. Honestly, having an attorney made a huge difference for me. My insurance company was not on my side the way I thought they'd be. They lowballed me on my first offer and the attorney pushed back. I know it feels like chaos right now but don't let the pressure from family rush you into making a decision either way.

Please do NOT just "handle it yourself" with the insurance company. I cannot stress this enough. Even YOUR OWN insurer on a UM claim is trying to minimize what they pay out. That's their job. They will ask you questions that seem innocent and use your answers to reduce your settlement. At minimum, talk to a couple attorneys before you decide anything.

Former adjuster here, no sugar coating: UM claims are handled by the same adjusters trained to protect the company's bottom line. "It's your own insurance" doesn't mean they're rooting for you. They'll request your medical records, look for any pre-existing conditions, and factor in how quickly you settled. The fact that you have ongoing treatment actually matters — don't rush to close this out while you're still hurting.

On the attorney-switching question: most PI retainer agreements do allow you to change representation, but your current attorney may have a lien for work already done, so there could be a fee owed to them out of any eventual settlement even if you switch. It's worth actually reading what you signed, or calling the firm and asking directly. It's usually not as complicated as people fear, but you should know what you're walking into before you make a move.

From a medical side — please don't skip or delay the specialist referral. Soft tissue injuries to the back and shoulder can feel manageable at first and then get significantly worse weeks later. If you settle before you really understand the full scope of your injuries, you can't go back and ask for more. Let your body tell you what it needs before you let anyone rush you to a number.

Not legal advice, but just to address your chiropractor question — chiropractic treatment in the context of a PI case isn't inherently a red flag, but you want to make sure it's treatment you actually need, recommended by a real medical provider, not just stacked on to inflate a bill. Legitimate treatment documents your injury and supports your claim. Unnecessary treatment can sometimes be used against you. Follow what your doctors genuinely recommend. — Again, not legal advice, just general context.

Look, the "just drop the lawyer and keep more money" advice your family is giving you sounds simple but it's almost never true in practice. Insurance companies negotiate every single day. You negotiate once. That's not a fair fight. If you don't like the attorney you signed with, interview two or three others before you decide to go it alone.

I just want to say — you're handling a lot right now and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Getting hit by a drunk driver is traumatic even before all the insurance and legal stuff piles on. Take a breath. You don't have to figure everything out today. Ask your questions, take notes, and trust your gut if something feels off about the people representing you.

Quick question — when you say you "heard" the driver tell the officer he had no insurance, was that actually confirmed in the police report? Sometimes people say things at the scene that turn out not to be accurate (like they DO have coverage through a family member's policy, or the dealership had a temp policy, etc.). Worth double-checking before you assume the UM route is your only option.