What Will My Final Settlement Be?

Question

I'm a fuel truck driver. A log truck driver was found at fault by highway patrol after hitting me head on. He was cited for "driver distraction" and "driving faulty equipment". I was not cited for anything at all. He was completely at fault.

He totaled my fuel truck. I was flown to HarborView Trauma center where I underwent surery on three fingers, two of which no longer bend all the way, one which is deformed. I also have a fairly large UGLY skin graft site about three inches long by two inches wide under my thumb extending to my palm, with scars everywhere on my wrist and hand.

My medical bills have hit $80,000.

What is my case worth in settlement, do you think?

Answer 1

If you’ve been in an accident and you’re uninformed, you have little or no concept of the ultimate value of your possible recovery.

Because of this, you’re less able to make appropriate demands. As the claims negotiation process moves towards a close, you’re settlement demands are very often too low or too high.

You’re ignorant of the accepted principles, which justify your demands. When you attempt to negotiate a settlement with these handicaps, you run a strong chance of being victimized.

The amount of compensation you should be paid isn’t found in a crystal ball.

Rather, a number of simple factors such as the type of accident, related injuries, out-of-pocket expenses, medical costs and lost wages all go into determining how much a claim is worth.

What amount an insurance company is willing to pay actually falls into a fairly narrow spectrum.

Good luck and I hope that all goes well.