How much do we ask for in a Auto accident settlement?
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Just because you T-boned him doesn't make it your wifes fault as another person marked on here. The other person ran a intersection that you had the right of way from what you wrote on here. Now it will show on her record as she was involved in a accident but she will not be at fault. I'm a licenses Insurance Agent in 40 states. His liability coverage will cover for the rehab on her knee. I would sit down and go over what you have lost because of this wreck and make sure you have documents about it. Also include your pain and suffering in the quote that you come up with. Feel free to run it by your insurance agent and see if he/she thinks it will be ok. Or better yet if you have a friend of the family who works with insurance then they can tell you the God's honest truth with out worry about what to say or not to say. If you think it will run pretty expensive then you might want to hrie a lawyer and figure his expenses into what you will be asking for.
I would get a lawyer
Two things here for thought! First, your wife will bear a certain percentage of fault when the insurance companies complete their investigation because she T-boned him! The law states in all states the driver must be in "control" of his or her vehicle at all times.
Secondly, you must sustain "serious" injury to file a claim so I wouldn't hold my breath for any settlement what-so-ever! Insurance companies don't hand out settlements like candy, especially these days! They fight almost every single claim vigorously!! Even the serious injury cases too!
PS: Wife was a claims manager for many years! The people here who are telling you based on future medical are wrong! Lawsuits aren't just based on a doctor's bill or any medical bill! It has to meet "serious injury" for any lawsuit to be filed. Judges throw them out everyday for nonsense claims! "soft tissue" injuries are not considered serious and are baseless in court. Talk to an attorney if you want but he will relay the same message I'm telling you!
An attorney could advise you better in this situation. They usually shoot high and then the insurance comes back with a counter offer. But unfortunately they get there money from the settlement. Things you need to consider are: Will there be future medical bills, auto bills, rental car, etc..
Forget the other stuff everyone else said. I would say that if there was only a month of actual active treatment that the claim is worth about 1500-2500 for pain and suffering. This is not a case that you will cash in on. Fortunately her pain was short lived and she's no longer in need of treatment.I don't know where this happened, or the company, or anything else really, so you could be offered more or less than that.
Here's some more advice -- listen to Chris. Here's some more; if you hire a lawyer you will absolutely take one in the shorts. They will do a minimum of work (this claim is chump change to a lawyer) and collect 30 to 40% of the TOTAL settlement, which is seldom over what the insurance will offer if you handle this yourself.
It all depends on how hurt she is . Big mistake from the start was she walked away . Any time you get hit . You let the emergency people take you out of the car and put you into an ambulance . This way they can say "well she was OK at the scene". I lost big time by not going with the emergency people. If you can find a lawyer who will work with you and if there is enough money in it for him . You might come out of it with a couple bucks . If she would have stayed, you would have had a chance to get a lot more ...
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