Riordan couldn't get any of the doors to open, and none of the unlock buttons would activate. Per the Chronicle, Riordan eventually broke the window by repeatedly ramming a tree branch into the glass. He just sat there in flames with a rescuer pounding on the window, trying to get him out, Miller's attorney, Anthony Label, a partner at the Veen Firm, said regarding Miller.
Your potential client is in pain, their car is totaled, the medical bills are piling up, and a claims adjuster is calling them relentlessly, trying to get a recorded statement. They do not want a gladiator in a suit; they want a lifeline.
According to a 2025 MetLife personal injury study, the severity of injury plays a significant role in determining a settlement amount both in terms of economic and non-economic damages. As such, the MetLife study found that on average, the amount of settlement money a personal injury litigant receives is about $324,000.
Part of the issue is the black box that is insurance. The state Department of Financial Services helps set rates for companies operating in New York, but on a granular level, companies use proprietary algorithms and metrics to set premiums.
Insurance is often one of those bills people think about only when premiums rise or a loss makes it necessary to review. Not updating a policy can cost you vastly more money than just paying a slightly higher premium, be that car insurance, home insurance or life insurance, to name a few. Rather than waiting to find out what coverage you have, brokers and other insurance experts offered some moves you should make as soon as possible.
For years, car dealerships had a terrible reputation. Pushy sales tactics, confusing pricing, and long hours spent negotiating made the entire experience feel more like a battle than a purchase. Like many buyers, I assumed that avoiding dealerships altogether was the smartest way to buy a car, especially as online platforms and direct-to-consumer models gained popularity. Over time, however, my perspective began to shift.
