-walk and a driver ran a red light. There's no liability dispute. I got a fracture at C2 (neck) but, wasn't paralyzed & was taken by amb to the hosp for 3 days and have been conservatively treating. I have surgery sched in Jan. to repair a disk herniation where the break occurred. I've had back surgery before and know it is hell to go through, but was all healed up prior to this. I'mgoing broke from not working and haven't hired an attorney because I thought ins. co. would be fair. My medical bills are 25K and the surgery will run another 65K. My lost earning are 50K so far, but will go on another 3 mos after surgery. I have my own bus. & do physical work, & haven't worked since the acc because my dr said that with the fract its too dangerous. Policy limits are 250K. They offered me 45K b4 they knew about surg & cost. Also they sent my lost earnings to CPA to verify cuz I'm self employed. Now I've sent that in and am wondering to to expect & accept? Serious answers only please.
2006-12-30 13:18:40 · 6 answers · asked by Sherry W 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
My doctors have the info showing that I was fully healed from my previous surgery. I want to settle because I have gone through my savings and will lose my health insurance if I can't pay the premiums, to say nothing of my other bills. That's why I'm not waiting to settle unless they won't make a reasonable offer - I'd just like to know what that is?? Big ins. company, not a fly by night. Other person wasn't drunk, just negligent.
2006-12-30 13:24:35 · update #1
First, all claims are handled differently and based on their own individual merits. Whatever figures you get here you may not be offered. You didn't tell us where this happened, how old you are, what you do for a living, your state of health (we know you have a bad back essentially but nothing else). I would say at least 100k, but somewhere between that and 150k would be a good figure for settlement. This of course is if everything is reasonable and related and your treatment has been deemed necessary. But the advice you get here is worth what you paid for it. The value of your claim could change just based on where the accident occured/suit would be brought.
2006-12-31 09:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The issue with your case is that you are looking for values on things that have not happened yet. Based upon what you have written, $45K is probably a fair offer (without the surgery and additional lost earnings.) But the insurance company can't offer you a settlement on what "may" happen. They won't include the value of the surgery or additional wages until it happens (otherwise people would allege they will have surgery, get the money then cancel the operation).
The thing to remember with insurance companies is that they heavily regulated by the government. There are random file audits of all the companies and if it was determined they intentionally low-balled you on a settlement, they would be seriously fined. Or, if you were seriously being undervalued, they are opening themselves up for a bad-faith lawsuit (of which punitive verdicts are usually in the millions of dollars). So, they aren't going to take that chance generally and will should offer you a fair value for your claim.
2006-12-30 17:52:12 · answer #2 · answered by jerry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Robert S. was absolutely correct. Get yourself a good lawyer and take this case to court. You have injuries cased by this accident and you are entitled to fair compensation and payment for surgery that you need. A driver runs a red light and hits you in a cross walk. You thought the insurance company would be fair. Insurance companies are never fair. Especially when it comes to paying claims. You need to take them to court. Get a good lawyer and do it now.
2006-12-30 13:26:25 · answer #3 · answered by David L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT SETTLE until you are through with all the surgeries etc, unless they settle big, and it is in the setlement that they will pay all medical expenses incurred from this accidedn. If you settle now, something might go wrong, and you would be unable to go back after them for more. Most attorneys that deal with this will do it with no up front money. Talk to one.
2016-03-29 01:26:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to have your legitimate medical expenses paid, and lost wages made up. Beyond that it will vary. You really need to be represented here. Is your insurance willing to help? If not, you may need to consult an attorney.
2006-12-30 13:24:48 · answer #5 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run, don't walk to a competent accident/injury lawyer.
2006-12-30 13:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by robert s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋