fair amount to settle on

YOUR STATE NAME - Washington
I was rear-ended in an auto accident in August of 2000. The women that hit me told the police that there was something wrong with her brakes and that she had an appointment the following week to have them looked at. I was wearing my seatbelt and my 4 year old was in his carseat. He had no injuries. I was 5 months pregnant at the time. Within an hour after being hit i had severe lower back and neck pain on my left side. I went to the ER and if you are over 20 weeks pregnant they send you to the OB floor to evaluate the baby. I was told I would go back downstares to be seen for my injuries. This was not done the on call OB doctor sent me home. They could not say if the accident caused my preterm labor or not. After 2 and a half months of bedrest, my son was born 5weeks early. All of these factors delayed my treatment for my injuries. Since the baby was born I have been seen by several doctors. They have all confirmed my injuries. If they have not been able to help me they have refered me elsewhere. It has been almost 2 years. I have not hired an attorney. Most of the doctors have told me that my injuries would be gone at about a year after being hit. This is not the case. i continue to have a great deal of pain in my lower back and neck. I have recently seen a Neurologist he believes that I may continue to have problems for quite some time. Not only am I extremely frustrated with the length of time this has taken I have taken out most of my frustration on everyone around me. I do however understand that these things do take time. In Washington state I am told that you have 3 yrs to file a claim. When it comes time to settle with the womens insurance company how do I know how much is fair and if its necessary to file a claim? I am not a gold digger but I dont want to be taken advantage of either. My family has put up with alot. It has changed our way of life. Thank you Momof4Boyz

how much will you get....VERY little.

You see the other insurance has no reason to pay you since you have no lawyer, and the longer you wait, the longer their doctors didnt see you to evaluate your injuries the less and less and LESS money you will get.

By not getting a lawyer 2 years ago, you lose.

oh my god for once i agree with dankk!!!! you should have gotten an attorney right away, now you have to get a very good lawyer and i doubt you will get too much money if any caue it has beentwo years. that is alot of time to let pass by. i was in an accident and was injured and i notified my lawyer immediatly and it stll tokclose to 3 years to settle.. so i dont think your gong to see a dime. but talk to an attorney for yourself and please let me kno what happens.


this is just my opinion. I am not to be held responsible for what come out of my mouth as legal advise

Momof4boyz,

In addition to consulting with a PI attorney (usually you can see one for a "free" consultation, so you might want to check out several), get your medical records, get any documents you can to substantiate what you are saying. Even your OB med records may have some info in there that will help "prove" your claim. Get an authorization signed to have them copy and deliver your medical records to you quickly.

Many car accident injuries do not show up for many months and that is why many U.S. states have statute of limitations for filing a PI claim at 5 years (like Missouri does, the state I reside in). Talk to the attorney you consult with and make sure that he/she understands EVERYTHING, do not hold back anything. Ask questions.

You wil need medical billing showing how much your medical expenses were, and, again, you will need medical records from all treating doctors and facilities to show what the diagnosis was, treatment was, prognosis is... etc.

Regards,

~Diane~