Pain and Suffering

[tinhuvielartanis]

I got my statement from Teresa to turn in to State Farm. She told me what a couple of other people have told me: that the insurance company will pay for my car repairs, medical bills, and lost wages, but they will also give me a settlement for pain and suffering. I thought I'd just get my lost wages back in addition to the car and medical bills, but Teresa said I'd definitely get a cash settlement. Is that how it works? It was only a minor accident and I'm pretty certain that I won't have any lasting medical issues because of it. Would I still be eligible for a settlement like that? How much would it be worth, $2.00?

Comments

[waterdawg.livejournal.com]

Don't forget gas too & from the doctor & pharmacy!! Maybe mileage?

My dad had an accident years ago (think 20) and ended up with a broken arm - just the pain & suffering he was offered $5K. In addition to all the wages, etc.

Yes you will be offered that to *close out* the case. I don't know anyone personally to ask though. So have no clue how much that will be.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

I had no idea they'd do that. I guess the sooner I get my paperwork to the rep handling this claim, the sooner I'll know what they plan to do. This may be interesting. Thanks!

[angstzeit.livejournal.com]

I'm not completely sure but they may offer you some cash for pain and suffering but in exchange for you signing away any right to future money or litigation. You can look at it as them paying you off or covering their asses.

They'll be nice as can be to you as long as you go along with their plan. They'll get distinctly less nice if you look for anything more.

They know there's a possibility of future problems arising (or current ones not subsiding). So there will be a bit of a gamble involved. (To be fair though, they also know people can fake their way into big bucks from them.) They're "the house" so they're making their bet based on a relatively known quantity. You have to decide what makes sense for you.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the insight. I'm pretty much clueless about all this, so your volunteering what you know regarding insurance companies and whatnot is very deeply appreciated.

[teague.livejournal.com]

Remember I said State Farm had been good to Brian and I? Well, the actual reason we switched to State Farm was because we were in a wreck where it was the other person's fault, and he had State Farm. They offered Brian, who hadn't been injured, 200 dollars just for being stiff from clenching for impact. I had a bruise, so they offered me 250. Don't sell yourself short, Tin. This is the time to be dramatic, or at least emphatic about the pain you suffered. You don't have to make anything up. Just be truthful. The wreck HURT!

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

Damn. Well, I'll be honest about it, sure. I tend to downplay things, but I'll try not to this time around because, honestly, I could use a break, albeit a tiny one.

[teague.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a lot of humble folks are like that. You can use the break, and you do deserve the money. Remember, this is a case where you aren't taking money from innocent people. This is what you pay for.

[waterdawg.livejournal.com]

I agree, be honest - you aren't being gready or anything - just don't downplay it. If nothing else print out your journal & read it before you talk to them....

Or we can all call you & read it for you... you were in pain & you were STILL trying to work. You were being an honest person & did what you could do - some people (as stated before) would have just (southern lingo you should know) flopped out like a flounder & gone for it all....

Hope it helps a bit and you get something fare for everyone.

[ericsilverbear.livejournal.com]

The joke I'm about to say, hun, in no way diminishes my concern for your disscomfort...

but...

From a distance, when I first saw the title of this post, I read it to say:

Palin and Suffering

And expected this to be a Political Rant!

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAH! That pretty much says it all, eh?

[green-goblin7t.livejournal.com]

Go into the insurance office and tell them that the accident has turned you into a freak magnet. Tell them how you can't enter a Barnes & Noble without strange lesbians hitting on you and so forth...hey, how are they to know (as you defined it) it was a pre-existing condition?

Big bucks.

[mystchainsister.livejournal.com]

my daughter was in an accident a couple of years ago....she got all her medical bills paid, plus trips to the chriopractor and a cash out settle ment of 20,000. not enough for alot, yet was something. She had to buy her new car out of it, so that is why I said, not alot....
hope you get more than that.
Blessings,
Myst

State Farm covered a wreck of mine

[ms-mathematics.livejournal.com]

In which I was not hurt at all, paid for two days of missed work, and all of the necessary hospital things, but not for the totaled car (which was no big deal). I was offered $500 directly and took it. You should expect to be offered something from them first, and they will make the first offer. My conversation went something like this:

SF: "So Ms. X, are you recovered from the accident?"
I: "Yes, did you need any other information from me?"
SF: "We're just following up. Did the accident affect you adversely?"
I: "I missed two days of work and wasn't able to work out at the gym. Mostly it was annoying."
SF: "Were you injured?"
I: "No."
SF: "Would $500 be enough to cover your inconvenience?"