04 Oct
My kneecap was broken in a car accident. How much should i ask for in compensation besides medical bills?
Posted in automobile accident lawyer on 04.10.10
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On July 30th I was injured in an automobile accident. It was the other drivers fault and my kneecap was broken. Their insurance company said they will cover my medical bills and lost wages. I was off work for a month and on crouches with a kneebrace. I am back at work and still have to wear the kneebrace. The doctor says the long term effects would be that I will develop arthritis in my knee later in life. I don’t want to get a lawyer because I don’t trust them and don’t want them taking the majority of my settlement. I was just wondering how much I should settle for besides my medical bills and lost wages. I’m refering to pain and sufferring and overall inconvenience. Can anyone help me? I don’t plan on settling until the doctor clears me of any more treatment. Another question is since I have quit taking the pain meds I have noticed a pain in my elbow that was not there before the accident. Is it to late to have this covered as well?
2 comments on this topic
4. October - 6:38 am
See what the insurance company offers. Then you can decide what to counter offer.
4. October - 6:38 am
Depends how much you really want for it. If you wanted $2000 then your lawyer will get 90% of that and you are left with $200. You need to multiply everything by 90% because the lawyer is getting paid for your injury.
4. October - 6:38 am
In our age of entitlement? You and the other driver should, perhaps, sit down and discuss this WITHOUT lawyers. You’ve allowed a measure of fear to enter in. Yes, any injury may cause later problems. Myself have had my left arm crushed by a car that fell off stands years back. After recovery. Later, ( 3 years) it developed problems. Mainly pain and stiffness.Then that passed.
You might consider having driver set a trust fund up for future need? Yes, you ARE due a full and complete recovery. But, you’ll have lots of time off to consider things while off work. What you, the insurance company, doctor and driver decide should be fair and equitable. If, you wish pain and suffering compensation? Then you ARE bringing in a lawyer. There would not be a fair way to determine a value on that. Only you can decide how much is enough. Plan on being disappointed. Insurance is set up to ease your pain and aide recovery. Compensation is a way to punish driver for that.
You sound considerate and fair. Just bring your concerns and needs to the parties involved. If, you are not satisfied? Then it is time for a lawyer. But, do consider the trust fund idea for future need.
4. October - 6:38 am
wait an collect all your bills. You need to keep a running total of everything. This will include loss time from work, medical bills, travel expense to the doctors, test and medication. Once you have these bill in hand total your bills and the standard is mutiplying by 3. What the factor 3 does normally, is 1/3 to the attorney, 1/3 for the bills and 1/3 for you. Doing this will give you 2/3 of the money and possible more. You can work with doctors and hospital to take 40 or 50 cent on the dollar for your bills.
Instead of 3 times your total bills start off with 4 times your bills and work down from there.The only thing we will do is say no. You hear all these comericals were attorney say do not trust the insurance company, many of us will give you these same guidlines. I let people know everyday how to do this by themselves. Many of these people leave their insurance company and come to us for their insurance. It usually pay to tell the truth to customers. Now there are people out their who will try to collect 100,000 for soft tissue injury. I tell them to get a attorney, because we will fight that for 30 years.