Settlement Value on Injury Requiring Surgery?? I was hit by a car earlier this year while walking in a cross-?

Question

-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.

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. Double posting this because I don't know the categories well.

Answer 1

I have worked on both the insurance side and the attorney's side (i worked for a PI lawyer). I recommend that you DON"T settle for that small amount! I would set your limits high and stay there! If they don't accomodate you, then you need to say..."If you won't settle for what I am asking, then I will have no other recourse than to hire an attorney and sue you for the full limits I am entitled to!" They HATE that, b/c when the attorneys get involved, they LOOSE more money!

I was also in an accident in about 94 and I had 2 docs say that I needed surgery. I went to a 3rd and his opinion was NOT to do surgery...Gee, am I thankful!!! I have neck pain every now and then, but I can't imagine what could have happened if I had gone through it and not really needed it! Get another opinion.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at anytime!

Good Luck!
Teresa

Answer 2

I think you need to hire an attorney because 45k for the pain and suffering you are going through plus lost wages that just does not seem fair please speak to one and see what they say good luck and hope you feel better soon

Answer 3

insurance companies always try to get off as cheap as they can, hire a good lawyer, who specializes in personal injury cases.they usually have no up-front cost, but they will fight for you ,against the insurance companies lawyer's .