I was recently in a minor car accident that wasn't my fault. I did receive minor whiplash however. ?

Question

When I get the offer to settle the insurance claim, how much can I ask for, and how is that determined? I know I am owed money, and I don't want to settle for less than I am entitled.

Answer 1

If you are unsure, seek legal advice.

Answer 2

Did you go to a doctor?   Save the medical bills, did you miss work, list the days you missed.    Let your conscience be your guide as well.   If you're concerned you should at least have a medical opinion on what the short term and long term results of the whiplash could be.

A friend was in a small fender bender and the at fault party had Geico insurance.   They payed him a $500 payment as inconvenience pay with no questions if he'd sign the release.

Again if it's worth considering a settlement for you should have some medical records to back your claim up.

Good Luck

RoyG

KC

Answer 3

Depends on the type of whiplash -

Back sprains you can get up to $8,000

Neck whiplash is less I believe.

EAT:   Knuckle Head, although his post was very funny, it was also very true.  The insurance companies job is to save money & pay you as little as possible.  

It should be your job to get as much money as possible, even the most minor of all injuries can come back later on & give you lots of problems.  My attorney is now facing surgery 20 years after his 'little ' accident.  

I do suggest legal consult.  

At the least.

And you should see the medical release form the insurance company sent me - they want medical, and mental information on me - and it didn't list dates at all.  As far as I'm concerned they should only see my info from october of 2007.  My attorney said he would take the medical release form so the insurance copmany only saw what we wanted them to see.  

Talk about treating the victim like a criminal!

Answer 4

I can tell you from personal experience that you SHOULD get a lawyer! There is nothing wrong with protecting your legal right to be made whole. Additionally, given the complexity of your accident, you should let a lawyer coordinate your interests regarding whom is to blame.

Don't sign anything that the insurance compancy sends you and don't speak to them! Most medical releases actually allow the insurance company nearly unlimited access to your personal history (not just your current medical symptoms). Don't even associate with your own insurance company. Anything that you sign or say will come back to bite you since insurance companies treat every victim as an offender.

I'm no fan of lawyers. However, when a guppie goes swimming with hungry sharks, the little fish a shark of his own. That, or swim into the shark's mouth with you head held high!