merlinsbeard101

Hi guys,

I was involved in a car accident back in September, and my 01 CLS was totaled. I was at a stop light and some Asian lady hit the gas instead of the brake and rear-ended someone and kept accelerating until she t-boned by car. I wasn't moving and she took full responsibly for it. I didn't have any major injuries, only some cuts on my hand from the glass and my back/neck hurt for about a week. I went and saw a doctor just to make sure everything was ok, and they said I was fine (insurance paid for the visit).

And now I have some questions about what to do about insurance. I am insured by Pemco and was reimbursed for the value of the car ($8,000) and got all of that taken care of.

At first, the insurance people offered me $250 for "pain and suffering", but after I told them my back was hurting for about a week, they bumped it up to $750.

My question is how much money do you think I deserve/should get for "pain and suffering". The only real "damage" was emotional in that CL was my first car and I loved it, and now it's all gone. Also, I'm a lot more scared while driving, especially when someone is on my right making a turn towards me. I don't know how I could justify this to the insurance company anyway.

And I don't want to get a lawyer involved or anything, I just want to know if you guys think $750 is a fair amount and if there's anything I can do to get more.

Thanks for your time!

Crazy Bimmer

Don't abuse the system.

mrmako

I don't think $750 is fair, but also don't think you should abuse the insurance system.

If you have some pains, whatever would cover the medical bills, any time lost from work, etc... then whatever a lawyer fee would be. Add up those I list and see if the number is a few thousand dollars ($2-5K). That is reasonable and not raping the system, IMO.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Usually pain and suffering is based on medical bills, so one office visit isn't going to get you money to retire. Take the $750 and run, or get a lawyer. You'll get no rewards for the emotional loss of the Acura and once again, any kind of mental or physical problems need to be documented by a professional. Couldn't have been too severe with only one visit.

fsttyms1

This. Unless you are really still suffering dont abuse it.

05TLdcc

^

Bearcat94

If you have no significant injuries, imho, you "deserve" $0 for pain & suffering.

That makes the $750 look like a steal; so take that and move on.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

One word.....karma

Treblig

What "is" your pain and suffering?

Will Y.

What is "significant" to one person may not be to another.
A one-inch scar from a little cut on a finger is worth little to me, but can be five figures or more to a professional hand model-- not including the loss of earnings.
OP had some cuts on a hand as well as back and neck pain for about a week.

Assuming no nagging symptoms or unusual consequences (like OP having a hand modeling career cut short by the incident), many PI lawyers will look at the doctor's bill to the medical insurance-- not what insurance paid, but what was billed-- and multiply by 2 or thereabouts for pain, distress, etc.

merlinsbeard101

Ok thanks for the input! I'm not trying to abuse the system or anything, just trying to get a fair amount of money. I've never been in this situation before or heard much about it, so it's a new thing to me. I'll just take the $750 and put it into my new car.

myron

iTrader: (4)

yea don't be one of those guys that abuse the system. Imagine you are in the same situation and the other guy is not hurt but gets more money for pain and suffering and your insurance rapes you because of his huge claim. Just take what they give you and you will be able to sleep at night and not worry about karma coming to bite you in the ass later haha