Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 1/21/2010

Question
In May 7th 2009 I was in a car wreck while coming home from work that was not my fault. The person who hit me was on Business here from another country in a rent car. The insurance on that vehicle was the company insurance. My car was totaled and I ended up having to have surgery on my hand for a torn ligament. It took his insurance about 5 months to pay me for my car %26 now its January and they still haven't paid me for medical bills, lost wedges, and pain and suffering. I have a lawyer who I believe is doing his best to get all of this done for me, but I did not know it was going to take this long. Is a year a normal length of time to get back your lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills?

Lauryn from Texas.  

Answer
Hi Lauryn,

Yes. This is typical. The insurance company does not want to pay what your attorney is asking for. So the process is one of negotiation that could take a considerable lenght of time. The longer your claim stays open the more likely you are to get more money.

You should discuss with your attorney any offers that have been made so far and where he or she feels the case will settle and how long it will take.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh