Car wreck, injury/medical settlement question

[Catnip]

So, in September of 2008, I was rear-ended by a full size truck, while driving my '02 Eclipse. The car turned out to be totalled from this accident. Keep in mind, it was 6 years old, NO problems and pristine condition with 100k miles, until this wreck, so it was a decent wreck. I received settlement for the car within a month of the wreck. The day of the wreck, I drove myself to the hospital due to major neck pains. I was checked out, diagnosed with whiplash, and given an appointment for a CT scan the next week. Also told to have a follow up appointment with my family doctor. I did all this and kept in touch with the insurance company for my medical bills/injury settlement. The adjuster told me he would get back to me and never did. I called a couple months ago and he claimed he never received records from the hospital, etc. Calls me back a few days ago, and tells me he looked over the records but actually had them. I kindly told him that was ok, but if he could, work up an offer for settlement and bills.

He called me back today with these numbers: $1677 towards the lein from the hospital for my CT scans and the left over amount of $1089 that would go towards me. I don't see this being very fair, $1100 and I have had neck pains everyday from this accident, since. I take tylenol extra strength for the pain, some days just sit around and do nothing because it doesn't help. Not to mention I missed work for 1-2 weeks at the time, because the pain medication wouldn't let me drive and the I literally couldn't move my neck.

I guess the question is, will they negotiate with me, without a lawyer? Is this actually a fair offer, even though I don't feel it is? If they won't negotiate without a lawyer, would it even be worth getting one?

[BanginJimmy]

Insurance company will ALWAYS try to low ball. You can try to negotiate with them, bring up that you were out of work and such, but in the end you will probably need a lawyer to get anything more than maybe an additional 1k to cover the missed work time.

[98_integra_r]

If you are looking for compensation for missed work you will need documentation from the doctor stating that you couldn't work and also proof from your employer of your wages and that you missed time from work. As far as the compensation for your injury it wouldn't hurt to let the adjuster know what you are looking for as a fair offer. The adjuster isn't going to just raise their offer for no reason. If you are still in pain from the accident you should probably be seeking additional treatment and that would indicate a difference in significance of the injuries that you sustained.

[David88vert]

Get a lawyer - and don't go by the TV commercials. Do some research to find one that actually gets good settlements.

Do not talk to the insurance company. They are in it for their profit and gain - not yours.

[Catnip]

Sounds good. I actually made an appointment to be seen by an orthopedic doctor/surgeon earlier this week. We'll see what happens.

[Bigt8aford]

Sounds good. I actually made an appointment to be seen by an orthopedic doctor/surgeon earlier this week. We'll see what happens.

Keep us updated.