My wife and I both went to a chiropractor for soft tissue damage. The bills totaled $2400.00 for my wifes injury. My bill totaled $2300.00. The insurance company offered us $2900.00 a piece. What should we really ask for compensation? Vehicle was totaled we have already settled on vehicle. We are trying to settle with the insurance company (AAA). I do not know how to negotiate with the insurance company. Any and all sugestion welcomed. Thanks
2006-10-21 19:56:12 · 8 answers · asked by Thomas B 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Get an attorney, once you take money, you will be asked to sign a document stating this ends you from further claims.
2006-10-21 20:01:38 · answer #1 · answered by show_em_your_badge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance companies will automatically offer you the lowest possible offer that's usually a joke. I was in a car accident years ago and had to go to physical therapy. They offered $5000 and later found out they would have paid $50,000 to $100,000. GET A LAWYER. The insurance company will withhold information from you that could benefit you and you don't know the laws. Anything you say can be used against you as they say. You should say nothing. You also don't know if you and your wife will walk away from this OK or not. Only time tells if you will suffer further damage and you want to make sure you don't sign away your rights and get stuck with future medical bills (doctors, testing, therapy, medication, etc.). Doesn't going to chiropractors mean you have to continue going to chiropractors? For now, tell the insurance company that you do not accept their offer and watch them come back with a larger offer time and time again. I'd say don't sign anything without legal advice. How do you know this person who caused the accident doesn't have a history or reckless driving, for example...???? If you don't get a lawyer, search the web for car accident victim compensation averages for your town and the pro's and con's to accepting an offer. Lots to consider here.
And by the way, the car accident I suffered about 20 years ago, still hurts, but the papers were signed so I'm a** out.
2006-10-21 20:06:32 · answer #2 · answered by LetMeBe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT even consider talking to the insurance company any longer. First, gather all the correspondence you have from them, start keeping track of what you say to them, what they say to you. A communications diary. Keep an eye on your injuries. Document those, the history of them, etc.
Do not proclaim yourself or your wife as "healed" or "all better" until you talk to several injury attorneys. If you were only treated by a chiropractor then you don't know for sure that there aren't other damages to your body or brain. If you take the $3K each and something bad happens to you down the line (as a result of the crash) then you won't be able to collect more to pay to get yourself well.
Talking to injury lawyers is free. Or it should be. And they work on contingency so that means you should never have to put any "money down" or anything like that. If the lawyer thinks your injuries sustained are serious enough, he can refer you to doctors who will diagnose you.
Don't' be an idiot and settle with the insurance company. I am not a sue-happy person but if you are hurt and it wasn't your fault, the insurance should provide for you.
Call lawyers tomorrow!
Don't forget....Insurance companies have two functions: Collect premiums and deny serious claims. They take advantage of unsuspecting people like you every single day. Lawyer up!
Try www.napil.com national association of personal injury lawyers. I have heard they have good listings.
2006-10-21 20:04:58 · answer #3 · answered by ssssss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get an MRI, and spinal films. GET A LAWYER. You don't yet know the extent of any injury.
Do not take any money before you are evaluated by a Medical Professional of your choosing.
Then carefully, with advice from people you trust choose a personal injury lawyer.
Control your own medical care, no matter what any lawyer says.
My xrays initially showed no damage, and MRI showed three blown cervical disks. I had to argue to get the MRI. You may have to as well, this is where the lawyer comes in.
Managing the Legal/Medical thing is tricky. Stay in control.
You will not need any money to see a Lawyer, he takes his off the top of the settlement, but having a Lawyer early in the process makes it easier to get evaluated and properly diagnosed.
Once more with gusto, You choose all doctors.
Consider the Lawyer/Doctor thing to be ..........Like Church and State.
2006-10-21 20:28:45 · answer #4 · answered by Norton N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the other party got a ticket it means that it's their fault. They should take care of you and your wife's medical. They have liability of paying the other parties 100 grand. You may have to call their insurance and speak to them. Every insurance have their own rules. If they are not compromising with you about your medical bill I suggest you get a lawyer and sue them.
2006-10-21 20:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by uniqaznmeg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you uninsured? if you have insureance ask your claim worker to help you. they should be paying for the car that thier driver totaled and your medical bills along with pain and suffering and any lost wages. so accounting the car is taken care of.. think about if you had lost any time off work, leaving early, missed days ect, does your doctor anticipate any further treatment?
i would bas king for at least 5k - 8k each.
2006-10-21 20:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by kizzer18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them 10 grand, you may get 8 each...
2006-10-21 19:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by ABBYsMom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start with 50,000 cause they will talk you down lower
2006-10-28 03:48:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋