Suggest you ask r/legal

Also, there is the low cost version called Legal Shield. $30/mo but the reviews look awful: https://www.bbb.org/us/ok/ada/profile/legal-services/legalshield-0995-9000434

This may not be helpful, but my body shop owner has always been the one to fight with the insurance company for me. If the insurance estimate was too low, he contacts them directly and often has them come out to reinspect.

I use my LegalShield membership all the time, it works great. They aren't going to handle a whole case for you for $30 a month, but to get advice and for them to write a demand letter on your behalf, you can't beat the $30 a month. They just spent hours for me figuring out my car registration and making sure I wouldn't violate and MA laws having a residency in two states. $30 a month and I got several hours of research, maybe valued at $750, I'll take it! They also fought the city for me to take down a tree, saved me the $1500 tree removal. They will defend you in court or against the IRS, but they won't file a lawsuit on your behalf... I think that's to prevent people from just suing everyone at all times if they had a membership and didn't have to pay the lawyer.

" when an insurance company nickels and dimes your repair? "

There's is the problem. Most lawyers don't work for nickels and dimes so you would end up spending thousands of dollars above and beyond those nickels and dimes you are trying to save.

Did you have a shop counter with a quote?

The kind that advertises on TV.

It may be to late for you, but my insurance company has a direct pay option so that all I pay the shop is my deductible, and any negotiation over costs goes between them.

Unfortunately it may not be worth a lawyer for relatively small dollars, I hope it all gets straightened out for you

Thank you for this advice. It was the other person’s fault and my first accident so Im in a bit of a fog.

Im realizing from this thread that this is the move. My first accident so I appreciate the advice :)

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate any feedback as I really don’t know how to handle this stuff.

Your states attorney general.

Has a body shop given you an estimate or are you working with the insurance company’s numbers right now?

Thank you, I actually do have a letter to the AG office but more to just register an experience, I dont expect they can really help me.

The latter. But I just scoured nextdoor for local people giving experiences on local body shops and I will be hitting up the list next week. I didnt know they can help you get the right number.

You may be surprised. That office has helped me twice in the past and once just mentioning the AG worked.

If you’re anywhere near Lowell, call Insurance Collision Specialists. Honest, first-rate crew.

Ok ! Thank you Paul!!!

Thank you so much.