However, the problem with lawyers is like picking a spouse and getting married. You don't know what you really are getting. If you get a good one, well, you're simply lucky. And if you get a bad one, it's hell.
When the insurance company finally made their first offer, the lawyer thought it was an insult(They offered 10% of the liability ceiling)..The lawyer of course, passed on their offer to my husband, but with his strong recommendation that he turn it down...the lawyer said he was willing and ready to go to trial on just the contingency basis, so sure he was of getting a lot more...and indeed he did...
And it was difficult for us, because we live in Washington state, and the accident happened in Illinois...so my husband, when going back to Chicago for his dads funeral, is when he got the lawyer...so everything had to be done long distance, which made things more difficult...but the lawyer always called us with any news, always took our calls collect, and when they won the case, the head of the firm called us on the phone, and congratulated us with the news...very professional, and they fought hard for us....
So why should anyone begrude lawyers their money, if earned honestly...
There are rotten apples in any profession...there are rotten doctors, rotten police, rotten politicians, rotten this or that...but you are right, it can be difficult finding a good lawyer, one who will work for you, and not rip you off...