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~AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE CAIM~ Getting Reimbursed For Your ”
You’ve had a motor vehicle accident some time ago when a local character
by the name of Fred Fuddle smashed into your rear end but now you’re in
the home stretch with his Adjuster, I. M. Strong, and you’re going to be
paid for your loss by Strong’s employer, Rock Solid Insurance. A good
portion of it will be for your “Pain and Suffering”. That is, in the
lingo of insurance claim settlements, your “Compensatory Damages”. Let’s
talk about that:
BODILY INJURY PAIN: How much pain can an individual stand? The answer to
that is: Reaction to pain not only differs with each of us, but often
within each of us. While pain can usually be scientifically measured, the
limits of human endurance cannot. We all have a different “Pain
Threshold” – - that is, the point at which we begin to feel physical
distress as we enter into, and then deal with, a period of suffering.
A lot depends on what’s going on in your life and how you experience it.
Temperament and psychological factors are involved. Like, for example,
your personal life is in a shambles (for any number of reasons) and that
has hindered your ability to recover. Or, perhaps the company you work
for is on the brink of bankruptcy!
The mechanism through which you feel an injury is so complicated that
there are times when the same pain appears to be more (or less) than that
of previous days. For example: one day you have a problem that causes you
to complain endlessly. This makes you impossible to live with and your
pain seems to be much stronger. Yet, a similar situation on a much better
day, doesn’t upset you so profoundly and the pain is not nearly as bad.
YOUR “PAIN AND SUFFERING” (Your “Compensatory Damages“): The type of
injury you suffered, as a result of Fred Fuddle crashing into you (plus
the nature and length of your treatment) are two of the best indicators
for both the adjuster and Rock Solid Insurance to consider regarding the
“Pain and Suffering” you experienced. However, there are several other
areas you should call to the attention of Adjuster Strong so as to make
him aware of what you’ve been dealing with.
MEDICATION: The fact that you were prescribed either over-the-counter or
prescription medication by Ole’ “Doc” Comfort, your family physician, to
relieve pain, inflammation (and/or any other injury symptoms), will help
to convince I. M. Strong that your injuries were serious and caused you
to endure a great deal of “Pain and Suffering”. No matter which way you
slice that cake, the more powerful the medication, and the longer it’s
prescribed for, the greater the value your claim will be. That’s a fact
of life in the business of insurance claims.
LENGTH OF RECOVERY: The longer your recovery period, the greater your
“Pain and Suffering”- – therefore the higher the settlement value of your
bodily injury. Make sure “Doc” Comfort clearly indicates this in his
Final Medical Report. Tell him he must state in writing (via the weeks
and months) how long it will be, before you were able to engage in your
routine activities. Make sure he doesn’t send that report directly to
Adjuster Strong. You get it first and then later on you’ll send it along
to Strong. But, before you do, read it. If good Ole’ “Doc” Comfort hasn’t
clearly stated this, hand it back to him and tell him he must. You have
every right to insist that he does. You’re paying his bills, it’s your
report, your insurance claim, and your big bucks he’s not being serious
about!
As long as you continue to have physical problems you should keep going
back to see your doctor, again and again, and again ! Other than the
obvious “Pain and Suffering” it will help to convince Rock Solid
Insurance you’ve endured, there are two other very good reasons for doing
this. They are as follows:
(1) The fact that your records show visit’s to your doctor, four, six,
eight (or even more) weeks after the accident, will convince Adjuster
Strong and Rock Solid that your injury took a long time to deal and
required continual attention. (Plus it clearly indicates each and every
day you were unable to work and therefore it proves, beyond the shadow of
any doubt, the income you lost). Never forget: Your attending physician’s
Medical Report is the only way you can prove you were unable to work and
in any court of law that will justify your claim for lost wages.
(2) When you visit “Doc” Comfort be sure to tell him there’s been little
(if any!) decrease of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility.
Make sure, when he does execute that Final Medical Report, this is
clearly stated in his written remarks. If it isn’t you have every right
to go back, hand it to him and insist that it is.
SCARS: In many instances large and obvious scaring increase’s the value
of your claim (big time!) – - especially if the scarred portion of your
body is visible. If you’ve been sitting at a desk for 25 years, your chin
is double, your hair is gone, and you own a bulging stomach, and that’s
where the scar is, it’s not going to be worth much. But, if you’re a
tall, dark and handsome, twenty year old and the scar is on your face,
than it’s worth a ton. Take colored photographs of every scar and every
scrape that causes swelling and/or discoloration to your skin plus every
mark on your body! After you’ve handed a copy of those photographs to
Adjuster I M. Strong he’ll be sending them to his boss in the Home
Office. I’ve been in that seat so I can flat out guarantee you his
immediate superior in the home office will stare at those photo’s and
gulp. He’ll blanch, take a deep breath and send Strong a one liner that
reads something like: “Do whatever it takes to get rid of this one. Se!
ttle it and let‘s move on.”
If the scar is bad enough insist that Dr. Comfort refer you to a Plastic
Surgeon for an opinion as to whether your scar can be repaired and/or
removed. Once you’ve been examined ask that Specialist to detail in
writing (and insist that he send his report to you) how much it will cost
to make it look right again. You may never get it repaired, and/or
removed, but include that Plastic Surgeon’s report, plus copies of the
bills you’ve accumulated because of your visits to him, and hand them to
Adjuster Strong. This will absolutely, positively give your claim more
value !
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING OBTAINING THE SERVICES OF A LAWYER:
QUESTION: “Is it necessary to obtain the services of an attorney who will
take a cut of 33 1/3% of the settlement (in some states up to 50%) he
recovers from the insurance company of the individual who struck you“?
ANSWER: “Yes, there are some situations where it makes sense to do so“.
HOWEVER: Especially in a case where the impact is absolutely not your
fault in any way, shape, manor or form – - you should be clear with the
lawyer you choose that those out-of-pocket expenses you would have been
paid (weather they represented you or not) should not be part of his
settlement!
Let’s say, for example: You were at a dead stop while waiting for a light
to change from red to green, when struck a tremendous blow in the rear by
a distracted driver. It’s 100% clear to all concerned that the damages
you received will be paid by the insurance company of the individual that
struck you.
The property damage to your motor vehicle is $2,800, your lost wages are
$450, your final Doctor’s bill (plus all your other Out-Of-Pocket
“Medical Expenses”) comes to $750 for a total (Property Damages/Lost
Wages/Medical Bills) of $4,000. you live in an area where the lawyers
typical “Contingency Fee” is 33 1/3%. QUESTION: “Should that lawyer take
33/13% ($1,333.33) of that $4,000“? ANSWER: “No“! QUESTION: “Why not“?
ANSWER: “Because you were going to get that $4,000 weather there was an
attorney representing you or not“! In a situation where the liability is
clear the attorney should take, as his fee, 33 1/3% of everything he gets
above and beyond , that $4,000!
So, let’s say the attorney obtained a settlement of $4,800 for your “Pain
and Suffering”. When that figure is added to the $4,000 of Out-Of-Pocket
Expenses (as detailed above) the total would come to $8,800. To be fair
he should not take 1/3 of $8,800 ($2,933.33 – - thus leaving you with
$5,866.66) but 1/3 of the $4,800 ($1,600 – - thus leaving you with
$7,200). QUESTION: “What has he done to earn that additional $1,333.34“?
ANSWER: “Absolutely nothing”!
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article ~ AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE
CLAIM ~ Getting Reimbursed For Your “Pain And Suffering” is to help
people understand the motor vehicle insurance claim process. Neither Dan
Baldyga nor ARTICLE CITY make any kind of guarantee whatsoever; NOR do
they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service;
NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims
consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired IT IS
THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain such services.
Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book, AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY
INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on
the internet at autoaccidentclaims or wwwcaraccidentclaims . This book
reveals “How To” successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim,
so you won’t be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding
the revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation
Formula). BASE explains how to determine the value of the ”Pain and
Suffering” you endured – - because of your personal injury.
Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga All Rights Reserved
Dan Baldyga – Author
19 Winona Drive, West Springfield, MA 01089
Phone: (413) 733-0127 FAX: (413) 731-8358
Mail to: dbpaw@comcast.net
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM
(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)
Found On Internet At: autoaccidentclaims
Or: caraccidentclaims
For 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manger and
also a trial assistant. He is now retired and spens his time attempting
to assist those involved in motor vheicle accident claims so they will
not be taken advantage of.
dbpaw@comcast.net
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