Insurance Settlement - No Fault - Help!?

Question

Hi everyone,
I was in a very bad car accident last year. My car flipped 3 times and landed upside down because someone hit the rear of my car. He received the ticket. I was taken away in an ambulance and my car completely totaled. Miraculously I did not break any bones, but have constant back and neck pain due to herniated disks and I lose feeling in my left hand and arm often. My knees were also hurt, and now they click when I take the stairs. I can't do any of the sports I used to love.
Anyway- my question is that my bills were all covered by my insurance company through 'no fault'. I have now received a settlement offer from the other insurance company for about 15% of all expenses (medical, car, lost wages). If I accept this offer (I don't plan on it), will all of my proceeds need to be sent to my insurance company to reimburse their costs? I have a lawyer, but I get the feeling he is just looking to get paid. What should I seek for p&s on top of expenses (being made whole)???

Answer 1

No. If you do accept the offer, you don't need to give back anything to your insurance company. And neither your insurance company will ask of you.

Don't settle for anything less than what you feel you deserve. You have a right to claim for your medical expenses, loss of income and legal fees as well as other expenses you deemed is justifiable. If your current lawyer's performance is below par, then sack him and get a better one who will put you above his income. Most important of all, don't sign anything yet as long as the final offer does not seem to reach your acceptable amount.

Answer 2

The sky is the limit....how much are you willing to settle for and how long can you wait is the question....insurance companies will drag on forever if they can, it's to their advantage to wear you down. Loss of income can be roughly calculated based on your current job and career path if any, but how much is a life of suffering worth plus whatever the insurance co. paid should be re-imbursed by the other parties insur. co. plus, lawyers take a third of the settlement for the fee....you should calculate that in too. If you're not happy with your current lawyer, talk to some other ones and go with the one you feel will do the best for you but check them out....get the best one you can. Talk to some older police officers....they usually deal with them in the courts and know the better ones. Once you sign with them, it's a fight to get out of it.
And don't settle for anything less than what you think is fair...once you settle, there's no way to go back and claim more injuries or damage or complications.....be very careful.
Isn't legal stuff the pits? Just one of those things we have to deal with in life. Paul