Expert: Doctor Settlement - 9/2/2010

Question
I slid off road in the snow. No vehicle damage, no police report, no insurance claim filed. However, passenger later claimed headeache and went to ER (released same day). Months later her insurance company (medical?) is calling me wanting my auto insurance info.  I do not want to file a claim with my insurance. What should I do? I thought the ER visit was totally unnecessary.  

Answer
Hi Whyme,

It does NOT take any impact whatsoever to cause soft tissue injury.  So it is also reasonable to expect headaches.  If the passenger has no doctor, then the ER is the place to go.

Here is what to do.  Find out what amount the insurance wants from you.  If it is just the ER bill, AND if it is a reasonable sum, AND if your passenger will agree to sign off on any claim (you can just add $100 for pain and suffering---DO NOT GET ALL HUFFY--accept that you injured her and be respectful), THEN and ONLY THEN, you can agree to pay the ER bill AND not report it to your insurer.  

Otherwise you have to report it ASAP and let your insurer handle it.

BTW, if you passenger so agrees to your paying the ER bill and some $$ for inconvenience/pain, THEN you must make sure she signs a general release of all claims.  You do not want her to come back in six months with another bill and more pains.  So before you pay any bills, make sure she signs off on the claim.

If that is going to happen, write back to me and I will send you a general release of all claims form if you cannot find one online.  If I am booked up with questions or on vacation, you have authorization to write to the staff at my personal injury website www.settlementcentral.com

BE SURE to say that you have authority via my allexpers.com answer, or they will not answer your question.  

I trust that my extra time here has produced some information that has been of value to you, and thus I would respectfully request that you take the time to locate the FEEDBACK FORM on this site and leave some feedback for me.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
http://www.SettlementCentral.Com