by Guest » Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:27 pm
I was in a automobile accident last year first week in March '08. I was back seat passenger in a newer chevy blazer suv. The driver turned left on a red light and was hit by and on coming truck on my side (right side) just behind the back passenger seat (me). I sustained neck and back injuries and have been seeing a chiropractor for the last year just being released the first week in Januray '09. My chiropractor bills amount to $9799. The insurance company has yet to call for a settlement negotiation so I am trying to prepare myself for that. What should I be calculating in for pain and suffering? The accident was in California. The fault was on the driver of the car I was in. The other vehicle was uninsured.
Thanks you in advance for your help & advise.
Thanks you in advance for your help & advise.
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:40 am Post Subject:
I guess what most will tell you your pain and suffering will be whatever you think it is worth. There are alot of other things that figure into a settlement like lost wages, any vacation and sick leave, did you need in house help while you were down? Someone here, an expert, may be able to give you a guesstimate. I will say that they do not take chiropractors too seriously. Doctors, physical therapists and such..yes...chiro's are not held in such a high regard.
You also must be willing to wheel and deal a little and NOT be in a hurry. If you jump on the first offer then you can be sure you probaly would have gotten more if you waited it out a little. Just went through this myself but had an atty. That OI would not suggest..Believe me...An atty takes your money and drags it out as long as possible. Good luck
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 03:56 am Post Subject:
Fireyone did you finally get things settled out? Was it to your satisfaction? I hope, you have waited for quite some time now. Just curious on an update.
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 07:46 pm Post Subject:
I am getting there and no it was not really to my satisfaction. There is not much I can do...it is what it is. It could have been worse and I am taking this approach when looking at it. I think I made out better with the all that I have learned from this experience. Two of the most important things is 1. Always try to carry enough coverage so if you injure someone seriously they are compensated correctly and not left with enough to barely cover medical bills, lost wages and such. The second would be...protect yourself by carrying enough under inusred motorist. I only carried very little and always thought the other person had to protect you if they caused you harm. Indeed it has been a lesson learned but I guess we are never too old to learn a new lesson or two.
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 02:16 am Post Subject:
Well hopefully you will not have to deal with this type of situation again, and hopefully the young lady that hit you will have learned a lesson too, no talking on a cellphone behind the wheel at any time, especially if it was raining.
I hope that you can finally get your life back to some type of normalacy if that is possible. I wish you luck on this.
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:15 am Post Subject:
I agree with what Firey has said about the chiropractor bills. If the amount is justified the insurer would pay but most often the chiros are known for extending the therapeutic treatment unnecessarily just to exhaust your coverage.
However, as compensation you may expect your medical and hospitals bills along with the costs of drugs would get covered. You may also receive coverage for the wage lost and replacement service (i.e. if you have your sister to come down and do the household chores for you when you are injured).
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:09 pm Post Subject:
If you purchase anything out of pocket then you need to be sure to keep the receipts. If you keep track of your mileage to and from doctors offices or any other office that deals with your injury that is also reimbursable.
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