Whether to Accept a Personal Injury Settlement Offer

[gonzo72]

My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Indiana
I was rear ended last month, the damages to my car were $2450.00. I did not get a police report because I didn't think I was injured. The next day, I began having severe dizzy spells and hearing loss in one of my ears, and my back was killing me. I ended up having a Cat scan done. I had a pinched siatic nerve, and a concusion. I was hurting for 3 weeks, with medial bills totaling $2200.
The Insurance company called me & offered me $250. for pain & suffering, and I wasn't sure if this was something I should take, decline, try to negociate again or get a lawyer.. Anyone know?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Should we infer that your medical bills were paid by another insurer?

Honestly, it sounds to me like the insurance company doesn't believe your claimed injuries are related to the accident but is offering you a "nuisance settlement" to go away.

[SChinFChin]

My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Indiana
I was rear ended last month, the damages to my car were $2450.00. I did not get a police report because I didn't think I was injured. The next day, I began having severe dizzy spells and hearing loss in one of my ears, and my back was killing me. I ended up having a Cat scan done. I had a pinched siatic nerve, and a concusion. I was hurting for 3 weeks, with medial bills totaling $2200.
The Insurance company called me & offered me $250. for pain & suffering, and I wasn't sure if this was something I should take, decline, try to negociate again or get a lawyer.. Anyone know?

I concur with Mr. Knowitall.

I had someone slipped and fall at my business, I offered him $300.00 to go away. He instead came in with a $3,000 chiropractor bill.

At first, he went around and no lawyer would take a $3,000 case. Finally, one did, and he was happy telling me that he got a lawyer, said I'll be sued and I referred them to my insurance company.

This lawyer went round and round for a year making threatening calls to the insurance company. When that easy method didn't work, he stopped work on the case, and stopped returning his clients calls.

So this customer came back and asked if the $300 offer is still good, and I told him it was a nuisance settlement, and since I had to answer nasty calls from his attorney once or twice, it's off the table.

He would have been better off forgetting the attorney, going to small claims, and he might have collected a bit more.

[gonzo72]

No, I sent them the medical bills. The adjuster didn't ask for medical records or anything. Thats another reason why I don't know what to do really. Any thoughts? I have to call them back on Monday.. I didn't get a police report because at the time I thought I was ok. I have been in wrecks before, never made a claim. The problems I had from this wreck scared me bad. I was sore, dizzy and had headaches for 3 weeks afterwards. I really don't want to get a lawyer but I wonder if I should, or try to raise the settlement a bit to something more fair? He's offering 250, if I say no and ask for 500.. what do you think will happen?

[jk]

is that $250 on top of paying the medical bills and damage to your car?

[gonzo72]

yes, $250. on top of repairs & medical.

[Who'sThatGuy]

If you really don't want to sue and the insurance company as offered you $250 then I would think if you only asked the insurance company for $500 that they would jump on it. I have seen insurance company's go up a few hundred, but not thousands.

So if you were to ask for $2,000 I think you might walk away with $400

if you were to ask for $500, I think you will get it just so they can close the case.

I would however talk to a local attorney and see what your case is worth. He may think it's wort $10,000 so you may walk away with around $7,000 in your pocket.

If the attorney doesn't think it's worth his time then you can always go back to plan A (ask for the $500 yourself).

Good Luck