by ttrometer » Fri Feb 20, 2009 09:02 pm
My parents were in an accident approximately 1 year ago in St. Louis. A little over $4K in rear end collision damage done to their car. My dad's medical bills are $14K and my mothers are $13K. Both had significant soft tissue damage and were treated approximately 1 year. My dad was told he has a permanent disability related to his neck injuries by both his doctor and an independent doctor the insurance company had him go to. Insurance company is in the process of providing a rear end collision settlement. Wondering what is reasonable and if they should get a lawyer. Both are over the age of 70.
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:24 pm Post Subject:
I never thought of negotiating atty fees. Of course an atty would probaly have a field day with the regular Joe on this. I know with mine I did alot of the runnung to get the forms. They were willing to just settle for forms from my dentist that reallyt did not show my injuries were from the accident. I made a trip down straightened it out and got exactly what was needed. This is just showing not all atty put forth the effort to do their best. Nine chances out of ten they have bigger fish to fry and only give your case the time of day when you call and nag them.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 01:56 am Post Subject:
Insurance company's first offer is in the low $20K range. Cummulative bills are around $27K. They did bring up the arthritis issue with my dad's neck. However, this is the first time anyone has told him he has arthritis in his neck and he hasn't had a significant injury to his neck in the past.
They did offer to pay all the medical bills. Seems like a pretty low offer but it is the first offer. I'm sure my dad's neck injury is likely to cause him pain the rest of his life.
What type of counter offer would you suggest...
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 07:10 am Post Subject:
Okay, the arthritis might not have resulted from the accident. Normally, a problem like this grows gradually. Hence, no wonder if the doctor hasn’t told him about it before. However, apart from this issue if the claim amount is low you have to negotiate it with the insurance company. You must ask for an amount that would be sufficient to cover his present as well as the future medical expenses related to the treatment of the injuries.
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 07:21 am Post Subject:
However, this is the first time anyone has told him he has arthritis in his neck and he hasn't had a significant injury to his neck in the past.
If that’s the reason that you feel has influenced the adjuster in quoting a low amount, you have to get the doc’s report that would state that its not a pre-existing condition but have resulted from the accident. The rest would depend upon your negotiation skills. Best of luck!!
Thanks,
Rupert
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 02:26 pm Post Subject:
Insurance company's first offer is in the low $20K range.
is this 20k in ADDITION to them paying all his bills?Cummulative bills are around $27K.
not sure what you mean by cummulative, you don't mean his AND mom's right? are you saying that dad's bills are totaling around 27k?They did bring up the arthritis issue with my dad's neck. However, this is the first time anyone has told him he has arthritis in his neck and he hasn't had a significant injury to his neck in the past.
I was sure that would come up...but the point is he had NEVER sought nor received medical treatment for it, and this accident will affect him (and his neck and arth.) forever now...and you're right he will likely have some problems/pain the rest of his life that he would/may not have had prior to the wreck (that is the angle i would use)They did offer to pay all the medical bills. Seems like a pretty low offer but it is the first offer.
ok, so please clear it up for me is the offer 20k plus ALL med bills?What type of counter offer would you suggest...
answer my above questions first please...also did you find out or ask the BI coverage limit?Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 03:21 am Post Subject:
Yes, total bill for both is $27K, $14 for my father. They will pay mediical plus the low $20k premium. My mom appears to be o.k. but treatment for may dad appears to to help only for the shorth turn, then he has the same simptoms. I think he needs alternative therapy or surgery and surgery at his age is probably not an option...
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:32 pm Post Subject:
They will pay mediical plus the low $20k premium.
ok so they offered just dad meds paid plus 30k? is that right? Have they made an offer for mom? Honey don't let dad settle unless and until the docs say they have done all they can to help him...being mindfull of course of your states statutesPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 01:24 pm Post Subject: rear-end collision.
My fathers bills were $14K of the $27K.
He hasn't had previous medical treatment on his neck.
They offered to pay all of the $27K in medical bills plus a little over $20K for both my mom and dad.
Don't know about the BI coverage, figured they will say something if it is an issue.
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 01:44 pm Post Subject:
They offered to pay all of the $27K in medical bills plus a little over $20K for both my mom and dad.
NO NO NO NO AND NO AGAIN! they cannot combine them...it's against every fair claims practice law i know of...nor should you enter into negotiations like this...IMO tell them all you want to talk about right now is mom...get her's settled then talk about dad's.Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 01:46 pm Post Subject:
sorry forgot something...if you do get mom's settled be sure you go over that release with a fine toothed comb...it should be easy to read who it is for (mom ONLY)...
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