Insurance Settlement Part II

[CowboyMcCoy]

So, I posted a while back about my wreck. Turns out the insurance company is offering me $1,250 for aggravating my back injury rather than 300. My offer was 2,000. I'm thinking I should have went a little higher than that, but I want the money to pay for school, so I can finish the final part of my degree. My question is, if the injuries weren't really that much, is this enough? Should I settle or keep negotiating?

If you're wondering, here is the first thread.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/dallascowboys.php?t=247573

 

[5Stars]

Ask Brad Pitt for a loan.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Ask Brad Pitt for a loan.

You mean Aldo the Apache?

 

[CashMan]

Is $750 worth more of your time, and lawyer fees?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Is $750 worth more of your time, and lawyer fees?

Really, I feel better now. My back was stiff for a while. I figure they owe me about 1,500 plus chiropractor bills. And I can pay the tuition bill at school and move on. Otherwise, I may get more money, but a lawyer is going to take his time. Getting done with my degree in time is more important than waiting for more money if that makes sense. I'm thinking I handled this right. I'm probably going to take it unless someone convinces me otherwise. I'll probably squeeze another 250 out of them and split town.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Really, I feel better now. My back was stiff for a while. I figure they owe me about 1,500 plus chiropractor bills. And I can pay the tuition bill at school and move on. Otherwise, I may get more money, but a lawyer is going to take his time. Getting done with my degree in time is more important than waiting for more money if that makes sense. I'm thinking I handled this right. I'm probably going to take it unless someone convinces me otherwise. I'll probably squeeze another 250 out of them and split town.

Take the offer and close the book on it. There is more frustration to be had by dragging it out than the 750.00 is worth, IMO.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Take the offer and close the book on it. There is more frustration to be had by dragging it out than the 750.00 is worth, IMO.

I think I'm looking at probably increasing it by a substantive amount more than that. The only thing is my time in getting back to school and finishing up what I started. That, to me, is worth more than the money. You know, time is money.... I plan on talking to an attorney in the morning. In any case, I never thought I'd be hard up for 1,500 bucks. But binge gambling will do it to you. I had a hard run, but I no longer play cards anymore. And, unlike some with my habit, I still have a roof, a car, a shirt on my back and food to eat.

 

[basstapp]

Not sure how this relates, but I got into a car wreck, that wasn't my fault, and it totaled our car out and was high speed around 60 MPH and we got 15k out the door with a lawyer. The total settlement was around 40k with the lawyer fees and medical bill tacked on. If you were to get a lawyer I wouldn't get a personal injury TV lawyer, but a local lawyer that will work on some type of percentage of settlement payment.

 

[CashMan]

I think I'm looking at probably increasing it by a substantive amount more than that. The only thing is my time in getting back to school and finishing up what I started. That, to me, is worth more than the money. You know, time is money.... I plan on talking to an attorney in the morning. In any case, I never thought I'd be hard up for 1,500 bucks. But binge gambling will do it to you. I had a hard run, but I no longer play cards anymore. And, unlike some with my habit, I still have a roof, a car, a shirt on my back and food to eat.

I can tell you this from going through it 2yrs ago with my wife. They will drag you to buildings after buildings and have you testify, cancel on you to make you miss days of work, and not tell you it was cancelled until you get to the building(We live about 30min from Chicago, and they would have us go to downtown Chicago to an office, cancel and would not tell us until we arrived. It is VERY frustrating!). We had a lawyer as well. You will probably not get much more than what they offered you already, and if you lawyer up and they increase the offer by lets say 500 or so, then you have lawyer fees.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I can tell you this from going through it 2yrs ago with my wife. They will drag you to buildings after buildings and have you testify, cancel on you to make you miss days of work, and not tell you it was cancelled until you get to the building(We live about 30min from Chicago, and they would have us go to downtown Chicago to an office, cancel and would not tell us until we arrived. It is VERY frustrating!). We had a lawyer as well. You will probably not get much more than what they offered you already, and if you lawyer up and they increase the offer by lets say 500 or so, then you have lawyer fees.

I just settled. I put a tad more heat on them and got 1,450. Not bad, eh?

 

[CashMan]

I just settled. I put a tad more heat on them and got 1,450. Not bad, eh?

I think for dealing with the insurance, not bad at all.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I would call and say $1,500 and its over today. They will probably say $1,350 or something and then accept. Getting an extra hundred or so would probably be easy.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I would call and say $1,500 and its over today. They will probably say $1,350 or something and then accept. Getting an extra hundred or so would probably be easy.

I offered them 1,600 after they already agreed to 1,250. It was only fair 600 for lost wages, and $1,000. I used my old school sales tactics on the insurance. Always be closing. I mean, the negotiating is over when it's over and I sign the release form. Make the negotiating on your terms. I kept saying, calmly, "I don't want to have to get a lawyer, but I will." I mean, a drop in the bucket for them anyway. That's the best advice I can give. Get the insurance to commit to giving your way, then drag them a little your way. Eh, it was a minor impact wreck. Just jarred me a bit. I think all parties will be OK.

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think for dealing with the insurance, not bad at all.

Was just a fender bender, too. No airbags--nothin'. Just a few dents, but the other driver admitted fault. I got some free adjustments out of it too. I definite win for me--and pretty quick turn around.