was in a car accident it was the other persons fault and i had back injuries due to this. In medical bills the amount was $13,200. The car was fixed by insurance already because it was a loaner and i didn't miss work because i was umemployeed at that time. well they mad me a offer of $18,000. So 13,200 goes to bills and the rest to me. Is that a good offer or should i try for more. i was emotionally torn apart from this and scared to drive and i still am shaken up by this. so what do ya'll think? I need help.
2006-12-12 06:38:16 · 14 answers · asked by stacydeets 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
how do i tell insurance that i want more???
2006-12-12 06:44:16 · update #1
As you have already seen, a lot of people think this offer is low and to consult with an attorney. This is not a bad idea, however, you should (if you choose to hire the attorney) make sure that the contingency fee EXCLUDES the 18,000 that you have already been offered. In other words, if the attorney gets a settlement for 60,000 you subtract the 18,000 from that and the attorney only gets paid on the ADDITIONAL money (42,000) that they earned, not on the entire 60,000. How much you can settle for will be in part determined by your injuries, your education, your potential earnings in the future, if you have any dependants, your age etc. and how good your attorney is. Most importantly, you need to make sure that your settlement will cover any possible medical conditions that may arrise in the future because of this accident.
2006-12-12 06:57:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you consulted with an attorney? I know that 1/4 to 1/3 to 40% of your settlement may be a lot, but an insurance company is not likely going to provide you with a reasonable offer, believing you to be vunerable, needing money, and ready to settle.
Do you know what the other driver's policy limits are? That's the max that the insurance company is on the hook for; that oftentimes fuels the settlement debate.
If you have serious mental or physical issues related to the accident, it may be worth it to consult a personal injury attorney. And oftentimes, if the case settles early, their percentage is only 20-25%.
2006-12-12 06:46:14 · answer #2 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should take it and be grateful. Your medical and car bills were paid in full plus you have a nice little egg. You have not presented ANY evidence of emotional suffering (torn apart doesn't quite cut it... you need to get over it) and you didn't miss ANY work. I'd consider yourself lucky and move on. I would also like to add that anything additional you get that you don't "deserve" (seriously, do you actually deserve it?) will get passed on to the rest of us decent drivers who pay for insurance every month. Don't get greedy, take what you've been offered and use it to get a good start on the next part of your life.
2006-12-12 07:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not a good offer. Contact an attorney who works on a contingency basis. They get a percentage of what you get, but they get you as much as possible and I guarantee you will get lots more than 18,000 dollars. With bills of $13,200 you were injured fairly seriously. The insurance companies have attorneys... so should you.
2006-12-12 06:43:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't take the offer. As everyone said its probably best to get an attorney who specializes in car crashes. If you have any lawyer friends try to get a referral rather than randomly picking one from the phone book.
Also, it sounds like you have a good, simple case so play some hardball with the lawyer you hire on his/her rates. Try to get an agreement that limits his share to 25% for an early settlement, 33% if it goes to trial, and 40% if there is an appeal. Don't agree to any retainers or to pay any fees or expenses.
2006-12-12 06:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by Atptim 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find a lawyer and get his advice.
It's not about being greedy or getting what you do not deserve. It's doing what you know is best for you. Remember that sometimes the full medical impact may not be felt for months.
A lawyer can advice you and trust me, the insurance company has one.
I don't recommend picking a lawyer off of a tv commercial. Find a reputable one in your community and find out up front what his charges will be.
Good luck and God bless.
2006-12-12 06:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by wpb30635 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Standard recovery is 3 times the amount of damages--don't forget to add in any time you had to take off work (even if you had to burn vacation time) mileage to doctor appts and such....you should be looking at about 45K to settle.
Meanwhile, you might want to go see a counselor to document any emotional damage--and yeah--they'll need to use that cost when calculating damages.
2006-12-12 07:42:56 · answer #7 · answered by kathylouisehall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consult with a lawyer -- make sure that it is a free consultation to see what he feels are the merits of your case. If he thinks that you can get an amount that would make it worth your while, hire him. Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so will only get paid when you do -- the standard fee is 33%.
2006-12-12 06:44:43 · answer #8 · answered by Jamir 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should go for more. Never take the first offer it is always low. You need a good personal injury lawyer and you could get a lot more. But don't take that deal.
2006-12-12 06:40:56 · answer #9 · answered by talarlo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no, you should threaten to sue and see what they come back with. In general, you should get three times whatever your med bills are and that's not including you having to pay your own med bills. They should pay it and give you three times what they were. Tell them you'll contact your lawyer and see what he says. I'm sure they will come up with another offer pretty quickly.
2006-12-12 06:44:37 · answer #10 · answered by skybelle24 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋