How much of a insurance settlement should I be entitled to?
I was a passenger in my friends truck when he lost control of the vehicle. I woke up face down in the dirt with a truck on my back, I had to flown by helicopter to a hospital an hour away.I had a separated shoulder ac joint which had to operated on, a cracked vertabrate, a collapsed lung, and a couple of broke ribs.I am a self-employed landscaper, and will at least miss out on 12 weeks of work, as of now I have pretty much lost all of my clients. And not real for sure if I will every be able to be as strong, and physically active as I was pre-wreck. As of now my medical bills are near 50,000. I am not trying to get rich but, I want a fair settlement, plus my future in my chosen occupation is somewhat uncertain. Please someone with knowledge on this kind of matter give me some insight.
September 24th, 2011 at 11:37 am
I don’t know the answer, but I wish you well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug
Report this comment
September 24th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
thats sad………i think that you should just sue for lost wages and medical bills…dont try to get rich lyk u said..just try to get back on your feet..shouldnt his insurance have covered you anyways….hope you get better
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug
Report this comment
September 24th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
You need to be talking to a personal injury attorney, not asking questions here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slug
Report this comment
September 24th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
You are entitled to all your medical expenses plus maybe something for your loss of income. Best to hire a lawyer and be prepared to go to court to have a judge resolve your delemma. Your friend with the truck should have Liability insurance coverage. That’s what it is for.
Licensed CA smog inspector.
Report this comment
September 24th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Now THIS is an example of a legitmate injury.
You have a BI claim against your friend obviously. Your state law will guide what damages you are entitled. You are owed reasonable medical bills, pain & suffering, lost wages (as long as you can prove it) and quite possibly future earnings if you are unable to return to your prior profession (some states allow this, some don’t).
You need to find out the following: what are the BI limits for your friend? Is there PIP/Med Pay coverage available? Do YOU have auto insurance b/c if you do you may have some benefits there. Let me explain…….
If your friend carries PIP/Med Pay, your med bills are paid up to policy limit. If the limit is exhausted and YOU carry PIP/MP on your policy, they would then be paid there up to the limits of YOUR policy.
If the value of your claim EXCEEDS the BI limits of your friends policy, you may have an UNDERINSURED motorist claim under your own policy. If you do, any payments made under the PIP/MP will offset any settlement you get from your carrier. Check with your insurance about this though for further information as this varies from state to state.
Licensed CA smog inspector.
Report this comment
September 25th, 2011 at 3:36 am
A lot may depend on how much coverage your friend has on his liability. If he is a cheapskate and only bought $20,000 worth then you will have to sue HIM for the rest.
Feels different when faced with sueing a friend vs an insurance company, eh? Remember, insurance isn’t a bottemless well. Once the policy limits have been met the insurer is done, no matter if you get enough or not. One more hard life lesson why we all have to make sure we take care of ourselves vs depending on others.
Claims guy
Report this comment
September 25th, 2011 at 7:36 am
Report this comment