How much money can I expect to get?

Question

I was in a car accident on April 14th of this year. The accident was a four car pile up in which the person two cars back didn't pay attention and hit the car behind me going 55 while we were stopped at the stop light. In return, the car behind me hit me from the force, and I hit the car in front of me. My car, the car behind me, and the car of the person at fault all were totaled. The person at fault got charged with recklase driving. No one else got a ticket. I had to go to the emergency room, although my father took me, I did not want to go in an ambulance, and I just finished going through 3 months of physical therapy. All together my medical bills totaled almost 6000 dollars. How much should I seek in a settlement with the insurance company outside of court.

Answer 1

There is no set amount.  Whatever you get will have to be negotiated with the insurance company.  You may want to consider hiring a lawyer

Answer 2

Well, you will be lucky to get the $6,000.  If that person had minimum liability, it will have to be divided between all the injured parties - which will likely be at least three other people.  

It's just as likely that they had no insurance at all.

You don't state what your  injuries were, but at $6,000 including three months of PT, they clearly were not severe.  You're probably not permanently disabled, or you would have mentioned it.  

You don't mention what state you are in - in no fault or limited fault states, for minor injuries, you wouldn't be entitled to ANY pain and suffering.

You need to talk to your agent, to get state specific advice.

Answer 3

A lot depends on how much coverage the person at fault has. I personally would settle for no less than 10,000. That Will cover bills and put 4 grand in pocket. I would ask for 25 grand and work from there.

I was in a motorcycle accident where a lady pulled out in front and I had a broke wrist and got 10,000 in pocket plus all bills paid and my bike fixed.

Answer 4

You need to wait to see what they offer. This isn't like winning the lottery where you get a whole bunch of money for nothing. All you should expect is a fair settlement to pay for any damages and bills that resulted from the accident.

Answer 5

You don't say where this accident occurred.   The threshold requirements vary from state to state.  Some are monetary, some are verbal and others you have to sustain a serious injury.   You also do not state what kind of injury you sustained.  I assume a soft tissue injury if you only needed three months of treatment.  Did you miss any time from work?  

Assuming you are tort eligible, the claims adjuster will evaluate your claim based on the nature and extent of your injury, disability(total and partial, and treatment.  If your meds are outstanding, they will be included in the settlement along with your lost wages.  Case value varies widely from state to state.  If this loss occurred in MA, you would be tort eligible since the threshold requirement is monetary with $2k in meds needed.  Assuming your you were only partially disabled for 12 weeks, you could expect about $2500 - $3600(pain and suffering).  PIP would pay for the medicals/wages.  They would not be included in the settlement.  

Your claim does not increase just because you file suit.  Depending on the venue, interest may be included, but that is about it.