Thank you jmayer5025 for your reply. I already have an attorney and after a year of the insurance company denying my claims, this attorney got a reconstructionist company to look at my case, because in Colorado you have to prove the liablitiy of the other person, especially when the cops don't give out a ticket. This company wrote a complimentary letter stating 100% of the liablitiy was this girl's. So now the insurance compnay wants us to put together a settlement amount to present them with & not file the lawsuit right now. We have a great chance to settle very soon, but I know I need to have money for a future surgery and ongoing therapy and medications probably for the rest of my life. My spine doc said for me to use therapy and anything else to help me cope with pain until I can't ake anymore & then surgery. This is because I am only 36 & in good shape, the advise me to try & cope as long as possible as there are new alternatives delveloping. I don't want to be fused.
2006-10-13 04:58:19 · 7 answers · asked by kdo8446 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Actually, your lawyer should be involved in this aspect of your case...he should be obtaining medical reports from ALL the doctors whom you have been seen by as well as those that will require ongoing rehab. An assessment of what medications and current cost of those, will be and then along with the loss of income that you will be subjected to for whatever length of time you will be assumed as being unable to work, should be calculated into things. Any special equipment, transportation costs if you must be driven back and forth from places such as doctor visits, rehab visits etc. Special foods, clothing ... whatever is involved.
If you are 36 and will undergo surgery in the future as a direct result of your accident...these have to also be factored in and include such things as Nursing care, home care, equipment (wheelchair etc).
There's a lot of factoring that has to take place so you shouldn't be trying to do your lawyers job...you should be sitting down with him though and going through everything that is involved in this and from there you should be able to come up with something that is a clear cut settlement that will cover everything rather than an arbitrary number that may or may not cover things.
Someone can tell you to ask for 7.5 Million yet, factored over time that could end up leaving you in financial difficulty down the road and possibly being unable to undergo certain treatment ... on the other hand that same amount could end up being a ballooned amount that the insurance will challenge and if you don't have substance to back it up...you could end up with a fight anyway.
Usually, people will tell you to ask for more than you need and settle for less which will usually be around the amount you wanted anyway...I've been there and that tactic can work but usually you have to fight for it...so be prepared to put a little work into this settlement proposal, let your lawyer steer the boat but try to document every thing you believe will have to be covered on your behalf and then work together to try and obtain it.
Good luck and hope your recovery is a full one.
2006-10-13 05:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by dustiiart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out how much a doctors appt is, physical therapy, medications, cost per month & add them up, times it by 12. That will give you what it cost per year for medical. then take that number and times it 5 or more (# of years you want to make sure you have $$$ for medical coverage). After you get that # add the cost of your Attorney, then at least $50,000.00 for future surgery and then add at least $250,000.00 for pain and suffering.
Another suggestion If I may...... once you make settlement, pay off all your debt such as attorney fee (of course), credit cards, car payment, loans etc..... Then take some money (not all) and innvest it in gold corp , water company etc... something that will
give you dividens. That way you will have some type of money coming in. If you are disabled from work have your attorney help you fill out paper work for social security disability.
I hope this helps. Good luck to you.
2006-10-13 05:17:18 · answer #2 · answered by Torrie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have you in PT now, your bills are going to escalate. Go see a lawyer. He'll start the suit out at a million or so, and you'll end up with nice settlement. In general, consider 3 or 4 times the medical bills for pain and suffering. However, if you are still seeing someone for the pain, the bills will rise, and once you sign that settlement document the insurance company is done with you. 100k minimum, in your pocket is what you should be seeking.
2016-05-21 22:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is your attorney's job. Your attorney will ask for a huge amount knowing he/she can't get it and negotiate from there. Don't believe for a second that the first demand for settlement is what you will get.
2006-10-13 08:19:16 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A good attorney should have calculated all of your lose of earnings and pain and suffering from other cases. Why would you have to do his/her work?
2006-10-13 05:04:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's your attorney's job. Ask her to handle it.
2006-10-13 05:00:59 · answer #6 · answered by Jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course YOUR lawyer's guy says the liability is on the other person...duh!
2006-10-13 14:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋