Your un/underinsured motorist coverage may also come into play.

If this jackass is only carrying liability coverage , there's a good chance he's only carrying the minimun . Could be as low as 10k limit .

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Get a lawyer, have him go for damages PLUS legal fees. It's common.

Attorney's fees are not normally available in tort suits. Injuries, car damage, etc., are included in that.

I'd be looking for a good car wreck lawyer if I were the OP.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
You will deal with this for a long time. And almost anytime you are facing a large truck, coming up a hill, or finding someone passing and coming toward you on a two lane road. (all of those elements having been part of your experience)

It is normal, and expect it, so that it does not cause you to have a panic attack in the moment.

But you will get beyond it. It will just take time and trusting your own control of your driving.

Thank you sigmonkey, you are perceptive and thoughtful!

That happened the day after the accident when I had to drive to my outpatient surgery. I have to drive that same 6 mile stretch of two lane blacktop anytime I need to get to the main highway. When I reached the accident site I had to take a breath. I was hyper aware of traffic the whole drive.
Funny thing was I had to drive 70 miles to the appointment and when I was almost there going through an intersection with a green light, someone running a red light in a small car almost t-boned my farm truck. I felt like I had a target on my back. On my way home I just thought of that old saying about getting thrown from a horse and getting back on. I was a long drive to say the least.

Absolutely you will need a lawyer, as the insurance company will low ball you to about 10% of what the case is worth. Also typically you will have neck and spine issues that may not show up for 10 years.

Only problem is that some lawyers are snakes. They talk big but when it comes time to negotiate they settle for 1/4 of what they should, just to make the easy money. I would get referrals from numerous sources, for your attorney.

Make sure you understand how the Attorney will bill you . Some of them charge a percentage PLUS expenses . Research by the Paralegals , document copying , phone consultations , etc.

quote:

Originally posted by JYuma:

Thank you, Nframe, it isn't in my nature to take it easy but I'm trying My husband is great and tries to do things for me. But the way I look at it is he works hard all week and doesn't need the added job of waiting on me too. My stubborn way of thinking I guess. It's difficult to let someone help me ,I'm learning, but I'm not liking it

I get it. But let me share a story.... a few years ago I broke a toe - figured it was just a toe. Did not follow the advice or my doctor or a good friend that is a nurse. I didn't take it easy. I used the crutches occasionally but (way to early) was back with the field crew for my kids marching band hauling stuff on and off the field. I just took a few advil and figured what the heck....

Well.... by not letting things heal properly my gate was screwed up for years and caused a number of problems. (Happy to say I think that's in the past and everything is good now.)

Please don't repeat my mistake. If you need to heal, let your body heal.

The most important thing is your health - get whatever medical treatment you need and try not to let worrying about how this will turn out distract you from your recovery.

Do not sign anything or accept any money from any insurance carrier, yours or the at-fault driver's. Also, keep in mind there are two types of insurance coverage at issue here - bodily injury and property damage.

Find out what the at-fault driver's policy limits are and whether you have any uninsured or underinsured coverage on your policy that may supplement those. Once you have a clear idea of what benefits are potentially out there you can decide whether to get a lawyer. If he has the minimum coverage required by law ($10,000 for property and bodily injury here in Florida) and you don't have any supplemental coverage, you may not need a lawyer to negotiate a policy limits settlement. If there is more money in play, it might be wise to hire someone.

quote:

Originally posted by c1steve:
Absolutely you will need a lawyer, as the insurance company will low ball you to about 10% of what the case is worth. Also typically you will have neck and spine issues that may not show up for 10 years.

Only problem is that some lawyers are snakes. They talk big but when it comes time to negotiate they settle for 1/4 of what they should, just to make the easy money. I would get referrals from numerous sources, for your attorney.

The lawyer doesn't settle the case - you do. The lawyer can't settle the case for 25% of its value, only the client can do that.