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Auto Accidents and
Pain & Suffering
On your normal daily drive to work the unexpected happens.
What if someone runs a red light and slams into your car and your
injured. If you are injured in an auto accident you will want to be compensated
for pain and suffering as well.
This accident was not a minor collision; it hurt not only your car but you as
well. You already have to settle with there insurance company’s adjuster for the
amount of the car repairs, or possibly the car if it was totaled. You also have
to discuss with them how they need to pay you for your lost wages. So do not
forget to get pain and suffering compensation.
Depending on the accident that occurred you might be more damaged than your
vehicle. For your injuries there will be medical bills and make sure the
adjuster is aware of this fact. If you were pretty banged up in the collision
make sure the insurance adjuster knows this and do not let him or her forget.
To negotiate on your pain and suffering the first step is to gather together all
of your medical bills. These will be your weapon against the adjuster. The best
way to build up your “war chest” is to get all of your medical evidence of your
injuries. Ask your doctor to keep detailed notes of your aches and pains so that
they are officially documented.
If you need to visit a chiropractor for neck or back problems make sure you get
a doctor’s recommendation when you go so that there is a direct line drawn
between your automobile injuries and the visits to the chiropractor or any other
type of specialists. Along with this keep a list of any medications prescribed
to you by any doctor that treated you for your injuries. The mediations you had
to use for pain relieve or inflammation should help convince the adjuster that
there is compensation due for pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering is felt and not seen by the naked eye. What you can do to
document your medical issues is to take pictures of any of the bodily injuries
that are visible. Take pictures of cuts, bruises or marks on you. If your also
have swelling of your arm, leg or elsewhere photograph that as well. Take the
photos up close and from a few feet away and close up so that the area of harm
can be easily seen.
Now that you have your documentation and “war chest” assembled you can now take
on the insurance adjuster. After you have settled with the adjuster for the
amount due you for car damages and the actual medical bills is when it gets
hard. You now have to prove what lost wages and pain and suffering you should be
due. If you do not feel comfortable doing the negotiating to get what you have
coming to you it is time you should get a lawyer that is well versed in dealing
with insurance adjusters.
If you decide to deal with the adjuster yourself be ready to push for what you
deserve. Talk to him or her about what injuries you had. The pain you went
through, the continued pain you have and that might last for many years. The
longer the length of your recovery the greater your pain and suffering
settlement amount should be. You want to be compensated for future doctor visits
and prescriptions. You did not cause the injuries so you do not want to be the
one that has to pay for the continual medical car.
Bring out your medical records, your prescriptions and your pictures. You want
to show the adjuster you are well prepared and mean business. The rule of thumb
for pain and suffering is three times your medical bills. For this reason alone
all of your medical bills are invaluable. That is also why you should continue
to see the doctor for as long as you need after the accident. Do not stop going
to the doctor if you are not back at 100%. These medical bills are calculated
into what the total should be for your pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering due to accident injuries is not pleasant and you should be
compensated by the at fault person’s insurance. Gather together your pertinent
documentation and stand up for yourself. Use your “war chest” and show the
insurance adjuster what your injuries are really worth.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes. It should not be
interpreted as a recommendation to buy or sell any insurance product, or to
provide financial or legal advice. This information is provided for information
purposes only.
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