Someone ran a red light and hit us. My wife was 8 1/2 month pregnant and had to be taken to Hospital for evauation. Car have been fixed and the hospital bill was right at 1000 dollars. Their insurance is offering 1500, but I don't know if 500 is enough for pain and suffering.
Any serious advice is appreciated.
2007-03-07 05:23:16 · 5 answers · asked by John Z 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Tough call. The main rule when dealing with auto insurance is that they're supposed to return you to the position you were in before the accident. When figuring if you believe $500.00 is enough for pain and suffering, consider: (1) Did you and/or your wife have to take time off work because of the hospital stay or recovery? If so, how much? (2) How much time, effort, and gas did you use taking her to and from the hospital, physical therapy appointments, getting prescriptions, etc.? (3) How much time and effort did you spend dealing with your insurance company and the other person's insurance company? (4) Were you and your wife OK? If you had injuries, were they able to return you to your former level of health? How long did it take? Was there a span of time when one or both of you were unable to perform any activities you normally could because of the injury?
Get the picture? All these factors figure in to pain and suffering, so don't let the insurance company low-ball you if you feel you're entitled to more money and can show that your injury and/or damage to your car caused you to be harmed above and beyond hospital bills and car repairs. Just bear in mind that you have to have evidence to back up your claims if you decide to push the issue. BOTTOM LINE: I would only accept the additional $500.00 if neither one of you was hurt, the insurance company fixed your car and gave you a rental/loaner while yours was being fixed, and you didn't have to spend much time dealing with all of the issues associated with the accident. It's hard to put a price tag on it, but if one or both of you work then your hourly wages multiplied by all the time you spent in the hospital, in the doctor's office, traveling to and from, and taking care of these issues is a start.
2007-03-07 05:38:21 · answer #1 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking from personal experience I agree with Michael get a lawyer. Though you may have to pay a bit (usually part of the fee can be compensated by the other guys insurance) it is safer in the long run especially with your wife being so far along in her pregnancy. I was in an accident a few years ago and i thought I was fine it wasn't until I went back to school a few days later that in carrying my books and walking across campus all day that it was discovered that i had a pinched nerve in my neck (which by the way did not show up in the initial emergency room visit after the accident). If i had settled right away then all my medical bills and physical therapy would have been paid out of pocket instead of by the guy who was responsible for the injury.
2007-03-07 13:43:50 · answer #2 · answered by grk_tigris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What injuries did you suffer that you are having pain and suffering for?
The "rule of thumb" is that first you must have something to suffer for pain and suffering, and sustained some actual physical damage. Taken to the hospital for evaluation is not an injury it's a precaution that was wise to take. If they are paying for your car and your medical expenses, then they have made you "whole" - which is what insurance is supposed to do.
2007-03-07 13:30:12 · answer #3 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT SIGN A THING ...get an attorney today
2007-03-07 13:31:41 · answer #4 · answered by Michael K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY JOSE !!!!
GET A LAWYER,,, NOW !!!!!!
2007-03-07 14:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by pompanopete0 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋