How much compensation should I be expecting from the accident?

Question

I was in a bad accident where I was T-Boned and cut out of my car and rushed to the hospital. The other person was responsible and was given a ticket at the time of the accident. Nothing was broke, but I have scars from the glass that was embedded in my arm, bruised for weeks and a soft tissue injury that took 10 months to finally healing after getting two EPI Shots. Bills, lost wages, etc totaled. 41,000. I was offered a settlement that was less than the bills. I counter offered higher than I knew they would be willing to pay. What range should I be looking at to get what I should for pain in suffering? My life almost stopped for a year, just now getting back to normal.

Edmund Allen · Answer

You should be compensated for your medical bills, disfigurement and scarring, lost wages, out of pocket expenses and emotion pain and suffering. You need a lawyer for the insurance company to take you seriously.

Paul Whitfield · Answer

Not enough information. The only thing you mentioned that was lasting was the soft tissue which normally takes several weeks to several months to heal. Why are your bills $41000?settling a PI case is like buying and selling a mule Hi lo hi lo hi lo. Ask more than you expect and negotiate. You really ought to have a good PI lawyer doing this for you. he know the insurance co tricks. You don't.

Brett Rosenthal · Answer

Based on what you have related believe case is $100K-$125K, however there are many variables that impact that evaluation, which is reason for counsel.

Jeffery Robinette · Answer

The insurance company's primary goal is to give you as little money as possible.  Accident victims can be compensated for economic damages: actual dollar losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and lost future income earning ability. Pain, suffering,humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and grief over the loss of a loved one are some of the non-economic losses for which a person may receive compensation. Punitive damages are also awarded in rare cases which serve to punish a defendant for extreme negligence and serve to deter future similar conduct by that defendant and others. The limits of your maximum compensation are usually determined by the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver and if applicable, the amount of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage you carry on your automobile coverage. A good personal injury attorney will be willing to give you a free consultation.

John Turck · Answer

Impossible to give you better advice without knowing (1) more details of your injuries; and (2) policy limits.  You really should consult with an attorney, because otherwise it's nearly certain you're going to get taken advantage of by the insurance company, which hopes people do exactly what you've done so far, which is not contact an attorney. Far better for you to get top dollar.

Matthew Kaplan · Answer

Any good attorney is not going to be able to give you a number based on an emailed paragraph. I need to actually read the records from your medical providers. I need to see the photos of the crash and any other investigative reports. I need to get to know my clients on a personal level to make an assessment.

Barry Rabovsky · Answer

Consult an attorney.

Spencer Farris · Answer

You need a lawyer for a couple of reasons- if the settlement is low, a trial lawyer will hopefully help you get fair compensation. Studies show that folks with lawyers get 4-5 times more money than those without. Also, a good lawyer will help put more money in your pocket by negotiating with healthcare providers, coordinating insurance coverage and so on.

Ronald A. Steinberg · Answer

They say that a person who represents himself has a fool for a lawyer and a fool for a client.  Because you do not have a lawyer, the insurance company does not believe that you have any leverage. A lawyer can say to the other side, "I'll see your butt in court." You cannot say that if you are representing yourself. The law regarding auto accidents varies from state to state, and so I cannot give you a specific value.

Eric Rothstein · Answer

No-fault insurance should have paid your medical bills. Did you file an application? It is hard to evaluate the value of your case without seeing pictures of the scar and the medical records. You need to show a "serious injury" as defined by the Insurance Law. A serious disfigurement (a scar) is one category but it depends on where the scar is and how big. You will do better with a lawyer than without one.

Benjamin Deaver · Answer

There are many factors that must be considered when evaluating the value of a case.  We would have to do research to properly value your case. Therefore, without knowing all of the facts, we cannot advise you what amount is fair.

Jon Ward · Answer

I am sorry to hear that you were involved in such a terrible accident. It is impossible, unfortunately, to provide a value for complex personal injury cases like your without having a great deal of information.  It is necessary to carefully review your medical records and wage-loss documentation, assess your current prognosis for recovery, investigate all of the facts and circumstances related to the accident itself, consider the place where you live and where the accident took place, and check on many other important details before you can determine an accurate settlement range.  My suggestion is to make appointments with a number of attorneys and speak with a few lawyers before you decide whether to hire one.  Best wishes in recovering from this awful situation.

Frank Nunes · Answer

Consult an attorney.

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How much compensation should I be expecting from the accident?

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