[Absolut Speed]

I know a message board is the last place to ask, but....

Most know my pit area was run over at a Solo II event and approx $1000 in damage was done. Offender refused to pay, as has insurance. Attorney I know did a favor for me and wrote a letter to the offender's insurance company asking them to do this the easy way and pay up now, or the hard way, and take the case to court. They again refused to pay. The attorney I used doesn't practice in Iowa and he referred me to someone who does for $155/hour.

I'm already out $1000, so..

Do I go alone and risk losing $1000, assuming it's a fairly simple case be it judged one way or the other?

Or do I improve my chances and hire an attorney, risk losing $1300 and at most get back $690?

When I pitted this question to the attorney that wrote the letter for me, he said it was always his advice to recommend legal counsel, especially when his insurance, who would represent him, would use an attorney.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[sgarnett]

Something I learned from an attorney friend:

A letter from an attorney (obviously) implies that you have retained the services of an attorney, which in turn implies a higher level of commitment on your part to pursuing the matter.

I would at least have your attorney write a letter to the guy (not his insurance company). If you decide to pursue the matter in small claims court without an attorney, fine, but the letterhead is important for that last-ditch letter.

Like Mitch said, make the guy realize that ditching his responsibility will still cost him time and money (even if he prevails).