Expert: Anne - 9/4/2009

Question
I was in an accident in July where the other driver pulled out from a stop sign and hit my front passenger quarter panel.  Both insurance companies determined that it was the other driver's fault (he told my father at the scene that he had just left the doctor's office where he was given a large shot of demerol) and his insurance company has totaled out my car, paid my minor daughter's medical bills (she was sitting in the passenger side)and has paid a settlement for her injuries and inconvenience.  They are not working on my personal injury claim for weeks.  They have ordered my medical records and say they have not received them yet. I had a seat belt mark on my shoulder area for days and had a headache on the right side of my head that would not go away that my general practitioner finally sent me to the neurologist for.  After a CT scan he determined that the accident "aggravated" an existing condition.  I am now on medication that controls the pain. When then call to settle the claim how much should I ask for?  I don't want to be greedy, but I would also like to be compensated for the pain, doctor visits and unavailability to my children as usual for several weeks due to the often intolerable pain.

Answer
Hello Melody,

Well, this is a very difficult to answer. There are way too many variables that can affect your injury settlement (your age, your physical condition, the nature of the pre existing condition, your state law) etc.


You need to look at your medical records carefully and then make a decision on value. How much do you think it is fair?

For more information about injury claims and how pain suffering is determined, please see:

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/bodily-injury-claim.html

Good Luck,
Anne
http://www.quirogalawoffice.com/