I live in AZ and was recently in an accident. It was the others person fault, she was in the median and didn't stop and I slammed into her at 75 mph. I talked with her ins and they are inspecting my car which I believe is totaled and are going to get back to me in about 2/3 days. Everybody keeps saying I should talk to an attorney. I wasn't that injured, my parents came to the scene and drove me to the hospital where I was discharged with only scared tissue and brusing. Her ins said they will pay for med bill and loss of wages, then get back to see if the car was repairable if so then discuss settlement. What to do?? Help please!!
2006-10-02 08:43:09 · 5 answers · asked by Sabrina 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Also she got 2 citations, and I got none. It was obviously her fault, and I have a cop as a witness in the same city I live.
2006-10-02 09:04:10 · update #1
I didn't ask for smart *** remark "CHRIS" but thanks everybody else that understood what I meant! Helps alot for me!!
2006-10-02 14:56:06 · update #2
Here's some advice: you can always hire a lawyer. Why not try working WITH the insurance company first? The second you hire a lawyer the whole tone of the claim changes. Usually the claim is packed-up and reassigned to the letigation department of the insurance company where dozens of lawyers are on staff full time, you are no longer allowed to speak to the insurance adjusters which could mean your so-called lawyer could drag out your claim for weeks and weeks attempting to 'pad' the claim or most likely, he is just too busy to be bothered with a chump-change case like yours -- which brings up another point; no lawyer will touch your claim unless you are injured. They may advertise on late night TV that the insurance companies are not working for you but pal, you better believe there isn't a damn lawyer alive that works for anyone but him or herself. Never, ever. They always get paid, usually 40% of your settlement and usually cannot get 1% more from a good insurance company than the original offer. Just try keeping your cool, stay calm and above all, be reasonable with the adjuster. This is YOUR settlement, if you feel like they are not stepping up with the right dollar amount then tell them and request that they explain how they arrived at their figures. If you are just running into a brick wall (or are dealing with a real idiot or @ss, and there are thousands of them out there) respectfully request their manager. You keep this up until you get someone you feel comfortable with and can explain your claim settlement to your satisfaction. A stand-up insurance company with a history of fair and prompt claims history has NOTHING to gain by not offering you a fair cost settlement. If all else fails you can hire a scum lawyer to leap on them. I know ... rough week, but try to stay focused and you should be OK.
2006-10-02 11:40:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is legal advice, and I see no attorneys answering. However, getting an attorney is always your choice. The insurance company can't advise you on that. The case will take longer to settle, and the attorney will take at least 1/3 of the settlement, which will be the same offer that they'd give to you if you were on your own.
I am a firm believer in trying to work it out directly with the carrier. If things don't go well, you can consult with an attorney. If you were not that injured (sorry your tissue was "scared", I wasn't aware tissue got frightened, but what do I know?), then neither you nor your parents should expect more than the meds and wages and a few hundred dollars, maybe a thousand over that for pain and suffering (if you are eligible for that, I don't know how that works in Arizona). As Cowboy Bill and I always say, it's not hitting the lotto!
2006-10-02 14:25:19 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An attorney will drag it out forever and take 1/3 of your money in the end. If you are not that injured than don't exaggerate the injuries. You were sore and had soft tissue damages. All companies have a way of determining how much they owe for you injuries and are willing to wait it out without raising the offer.
You have medpay or pip on your own policy that covers medical bills, lost wages, basically anything associated with a financial loss from the accident typically up to $2500 depending on the state. You can collect from the other party's insurance company as well typically (again, depending on the state) and are reimbursed twice.
They will pay you what is owed. An attorney will just drag it out for years.
They owe you for bodily injury.
I am an adjuster.
2006-10-02 11:21:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely consult an attorney! Insurance company's don't always pay loss of work.... They will try to cut corners every chance they get. The money comes out of their pocket, so if they can get away with only paying a portion of the total bill they will! You always end up with more money in the settlement, when an attorney is involved.
2006-10-02 08:50:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
In MO if you hit the back end of someone else's car it is YOUR fault because no matter were they are YOU should have had control of YOUR car.
Get an attorney.
2006-10-02 08:52:05 · answer #5 · answered by HEATHER 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋