Deal with insurance claim myself?

Question

I know, I know get an attorney, but what if I deal with it myself? I was hit my a drunk driver, he fled, but cop saw the whole thing and caught him. I was injured and racked up about $14K in medical bills. Insurance co wants to settle. Anyone out there ever deal direcly with them? What sort of settlement amount should I seek. Attorney's all want 1/3 plus expenses. So i'll be out all pain and suffering and only have enough left to pay medical and vehicle damages. So What is the point?? Anyone delt with them directly?

1. My automobile damages totaled $2244
2. His car was totaled.
3. He got his third DWI in a year and fled the scene
4. Ruined my vacation.
5. Was in pain and suffered permanent nerve damage to left arm and hand.
6. He has a limit of $35K in coverage.
7. My underinsured and or uninsured equals

What should I ask for. No this POS has no assets of any type. He is a green card Alien, worked odd jobs.

Answer 1

You're right about the attorney...they can't do for you what you can do for yourself. I'm an adjuster and deal with folks in your same situation...here's my advice to you:

Make sure you have ALL bills and dr reports sent to the insurance company....and when I mean all, I mean all.
If you have lost time from work, you will need 1) a disability slip from your doctor and 2) wage loss verification from your employer confirming your employment status (full vs. part time), hours schedules to work (40 vs. 30) and your hourly wage. If you work off tips/commission, you'll need your taxes from atleast the last 3 years (they may not ask for them, but if they do you're prepared).

When you get all this together, forward it to them in writing and/or e-mail. Ask for their "policy limits," which in this case, is $35K.

Now, here's where it gets tricky.....

The adjuster will do one of 2 things, either pay you the limits or call you with a counter offer. They will have a range, so you should have a range as well. They will start low...it's up to you to get them to raise the offer to the highest they can go. Just b/c the policy limits are $35K does not mean they have the authority to pay you that amount nor does it mean your claim has that value. At any rate....the key to YOUR claim is this: aggravated liability--the guy was drunk. If they ask for additional reasons why they should offer you a higher amount...you have to have an answer beyond the guy being drunk too, so explain how this has affected YOUR life. For example, if you live alone and can't do chores around your house, explain how you've had to hire someone to do them for you. Get my point?

Just remember....stay calm, stay cool, and stay collected. Yelling, screaming, threatening will get you nowhere with them. There is no hard & true rule on determing a value of the claim...all you can do is give them what I've listed and discuss it with them.

You may also be able to submit a claim to YOUR insurance under your UIM coverage......you won't know unless you try.

Good luck...you can do it.

BTW: I settle with the attorneys for smaller amounts than I do with those who do not have an attorney....why? Because all they care about is how much THEY get, not you...hear it everyday, "Your offer doesn't cover my expenses." I don't care about THEIR expenses.....also, the attorney only says, "your guy was drunk and my guy was hurt & he was in pain" over and over and over without getting into the true spirit of the injury.....

Answer 2

if your better now and the doctor says there is no reason to think you will suffer from this in the future then get 4 times what the expenses are or atleast try dont settle for less the 3 times medical and the cost of your car. dont use a lawyer if you can get this on your own.

Answer 3

I was a personal lines claims adjuster for over 7 years.You should easily get his limits. If your UM/UIM is equal to his you are probably out of luck but check with your ins company anyway. Unless you were in the process of your job at the time of the accident and can file a work comp claim it looks like that will be it. Good luck.

Answer 4

all you will get is $35,000 from his insurance even if you have a lawyer but I.m sure his insurance co. won't want to give you that so this is one of the reasons to have a lawyer plus you can also collect some from your own co. under your underinsured motorists policy but without a lawyer to fight for everything you will end up getting screwed.

Answer 5

I agree with cinsing18. I wish you the best. Take care.

Answer 6

Dump the lawyer & use your insurance company. That's what you're paying them for. The bigger better your insurance company, the better their/your lawyers are.

Answer 7

let your insurance co take care of it..you are paying them big $$ that is their job..you don't need a lawyer..