Insurance company wants to settle

[Actfree]

What is the name of your state? Nebraska

On May 23, 2007 I was rear ended. After the police left I immediately went to the emergency room because my back was hurting. My three children were in the car but were alright. I was given 2 prescriptions, one for pain medicine, and one for a muscle relaxant. I am a stay at home mom of three boys 5, 3, and 9 months. My husband stayed home for two days from work because I couldn't lift my 9 month old with out a lot of pain in my back and neck. I have needed help everyday to take care of my children. I also need help every day doing my laundry, vacuuming, pickup around the house, sweeping, doing dishes, and almost every other household chore. Most days I lay on my back to ease the pain. I don't sleep well at night and have to put the heating pad on. I went back to the doctor on the 29th, and got more pain medicine and a different muscle relaxer. The doctor also referred me to a physical therapist. I will start with 3 x week for 2 weeks. The areas that are affected are my neck and back. I get frequent headaches. The insurance company of the guy that hit me wanted to settle on the 29th of May for $600 plus medical for three months and auto repair cost, is this a fair settlement. It doesn't seem fair to me. Also if it isn't fair what is fair? I feel really upset because my job as a stay at home mom has been so effected. Please help I am not sure what to do, or negotiate for.

[moburkes]

Well, don't settle before your treatments are over. Second, if you don't think its fair, hire an attorney.

[seagoing]

don't even think settlement,you should be seeing an orhtopedic and have an mri to start.my friend was rear ended a yr ago,little damage to her car but her neck wouldnt stop hurting,fortunatly her general dr.had the sense to send her to a ortho.who then ordered the mri.she got 3 neck herniations from that accident,will need surgery in the future,she also got an atty.on the advice of her general dr.she's not looking for a settlement as much as making sure the tens of thousands the medical bills that are being gererated will be paid.DO NOT ACCEPT any money,dont sign anything,get a lawyer if your still having pain or complications from the accident

[ecmst12]

You don't need an MRI or an ortho consult if the PT helps. Usually PT or chiro is done to start and if the pain does not improve then further testing or treatment is considered. No need to jump the gun. However, you definitely should NOT settle at this point. You don't know what the full extent of the damage is or how long your treatment will be. Tell the adjuster that you can't consider settling until your treatment is completed and you will contact them at that time. If your injuries turn out to be severe then you can consider getting a lawyer but if you're fine after a month or 2 of PT then you might not want to bother.