I was rear ended a few months ago. My car had a 5500 damage. I sufferred lower back, shoulder and neck pain. I have to cut short my treatment because of the inconveniences and I just deal with the ache here and there, now and then. My medical bill is now about 3000. What should I settle for including medical bill?
2007-02-10 00:55:37 · 8 answers · asked by cyndi 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
There is no set formula for pain and suffering, so those that tell you "twice your medical" or "Three to five times your medical" really don't have a clue. Each case is looked at, and settled on its own merit. That being said, it's a very bad idea to stop treatment while you still need it. Why? Well for one thing you won't get the physical relief from pain you need. For another, it is goes for any litigation, the spokesperson on the insurance side can argue "Well, he says pain now, but in reality he stopped his treatment, which seems to indicate he didn't need it."
Talk to your doctor about prognosis, will you need more treatment, and how much, and the possible long term effects of your injury. Talk to YOUR agent about what they would consider fair settlement given your situation. Then add together you damages, medical bills, time missed from work, the costs of a rental if it applies, and whatever amount seems fair based on the information you have gathered up and present it as what you would think would be fair.
2007-02-10 01:26:02 · answer #1 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will get separate settlement for the car and for the physical damage. You should not have cut your treatment short. I know it was inconvenient, but it is how your settlement is determined. When I was injured in the car accident with the one-eyed deaf man, I got a total settlement of three times what I paid for my medical treatment. I rolled away with $6500. That was after my lawyer talked my doctors into accepting less money than they were entitled to get. He also accepted less than he was entitled to get. I think he felt sorry for me because I was already in a wheelchair before the accident. I only got $600 for my car, which was a real ripoff, because she was a collector's item. You will probably get about $3000 for your pain and suffering because you did not put up with the rest of your inconvenience. You should have hung in there. Best wishes.
2007-02-10 01:41:48 · answer #2 · answered by rainbeauclown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with la428282's answers. Lawyer's should only get involved in serious accidents, i.e. death, dismemberment, comatose situations. Other than that, they won't do anything other than take 1/3 of your settlement....and believe me when I tell you, they don't know the 1st thing about your case when they attempt to settle--the adjusters know more about your case then they will.
As for how much you should settle for....you won't get much, maybe $1000-$2500 over your medicals, assuming all $3000 of your bills is accepted and the treatment was reasonable/related/necessary vs. the doctors attempt to bill your hot/cold packs under 5 seperate CPT codes that all refer to the same thing but labeled differently.
2007-02-10 17:31:23 · answer #3 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can reasonably expect $30,000 - $40,000. Keep in mind that back injuries have a tendency to show up in the future - sometimes distant future. Unfortunately, in this case you probably are better off with a lawyer, and make sure they leave the case open if you need treatment in the future. The main problem here is to find a lawyer that would not sell you out to the insurance company. That's THE challenge...
2007-02-13 00:54:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
expect NOTHING more then 4000. People always expect to hit the lottery when they get in an accident but the truth is.... if you didnt lose a arm, leg, break your back, or get MAJORILY messed up for life... you will get your medicals and maybe a few hundred or thousand more. Be reasonable and dont expect too much
Just as a heads up.. you will get alot of answers on here from people who watch way too much tv and lawyer shows saying stuff about 10k-100k and running to a lawyer. pls.. take their advice with a grain of salt.. usually they leran all their information off tv. lawyers are SOMETIMES a good idea in a MAJOR MAJOR (aka lifes lost/limbs lost) accident... but not in a "minor" (in accident terms) accident when you can negiotiate with adjusters directly and save 40% of your money
2007-02-10 04:05:18 · answer #5 · answered by la428282 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Under the circumstances; you should get a lawyer to help you. You have no idea what your medical alone will end up being. Your injuries could take more time to heal that you may estimate. What about you insurance agent? Can't he help?
Don't make any rash decisions. You may live to regret it.
2007-02-10 01:05:29 · answer #6 · answered by Barbra 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you shouldnt of cut short your treatment coz for 1 you will suffer in the long term and 2 it might affect the amount of compo coz they might see it as you werent as badly injured as you say
2007-02-10 01:04:26 · answer #7 · answered by blake flanagan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three to five times the medical costs.
2007-02-10 00:59:28 · answer #8 · answered by ralphers 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋