Ins co...... they don't want to pay !

My friend was in his first accident in Aug 2000 . He was broadsided by person running red light. They had no insurance and were intoxicated. Their car was towed and persons taken to jail. His car was totaled out (94 Honda) & received 6k for car. Went to MD 4 days after accident , received pain killers from Kaiser, MD. and was put on bed rest ... he got progressively worst with stiffness, swelling
and pain. Sought treatment from chiropractor on 10/26 and was disabled until 12/7. Light duty work on 12/8. No broken bones, he has soft tissue and muscle injuries.
Back , left arm and primarily shoulder pain and discomfort. He was released from Chiropractor, 1/8/01. All paperwork submitted by insured and chiropractor by Jan 23rd. Offer of 1,700 made by insurance CO (SF) on Feb 9th. We feel this is a ridiculous and offensive offer. Chiropractor bills were approx. $6,500.

You should have seen the car, he was very lucky. (we have pictures)All his paper work in order. We have copies and records of EVERYTHING. Also he is missing one of his two W2's from employment agencies for 2000. And.... she will not give him lost wages since he does not have the forms from 2000. She has the W2's from 1999. Can't she use the W2's from 98 since the accident was in 2000?
When I talk to her she is pleasant but she is very short with him.

My question is should a lawyer become involved in order to get a better settlement offer? Or would it be a waste of time? He is so disgusted he doesn't know what to do. I feel bad because I told him he probably didn't necessarily need a lawyer. I didn't think the Insurance Co..... STATE FARM would be so ruthless. In all honestly we though he'd get a fair offer. We are in GA.
HELP**************..Thanks...

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

State Farm and Farmer's insurance companies are well known for their crap, even way out here in California. My firm doesn't even bother to try to settle with those respective companys . . . when the medicals and all other damages are known, we just file lawsuits against their insureds. I'd rather have an arbitrator or judge hear the matter.

So, you got a taste of what we've been going through for years against these companies. Get an attorney. Now.

IAAL

Hello, im in the same situation... what you want to do is start writing letters accusing them of bad faith. They will still offer low but if it goes to arbitration you may get more than what you thought. FArmers is trying to screw me over...but now I have them by the xxx!

Thanks..for all the info.
How do you write letters of bad faith?
And is it necessary to do if he goes to arbitration?

Thanks again.

Hi i was offered 11 thousand over the phone by allstate. i have lost waes exceeding 15, grand medical bills exceeding 9 thousand. we have begun the discovery process. is this just bs so they can settle so they wont have to go to arbitration. i get a feeling that they want me to give up (by making be fill out interrogatories, and discovery papers)

please help!

momo8