Dealing with adjusters

[mdavenport]

What is the name of your state?
NC

My child was hit by a car in a school parking lot, thankfully she only had minor injuries. I am currently battling with insurance adjuster who wants to settle for $500. Any advice on how to proceed, I am not out for a large settlement but I think a settlement of $500 is just too low.

[las365]

The way to try to influence the adjuster to offer you more money consists of providing her with evidence of why she should.

Your daughter's medical records and bills are a good start. How old is she? What were her injuries? Did she endure much pain? How long did it last? Has she had trouble sleeping, eating, or unusual anxiety, nightmares, or other problems due to the accident?

How fast was the car going when it hit her? Was she on foot or on a bike? Was there anything about the driver or the driver's negligence that would tend to stir up the emotions of a jury and make them want to punish the driver or give a particular amount of compensation to your daughter?


How much have you decided in your mind is "enough" money to settle for?

[ecmst12]

Minor injuries = scrapes and bruises, no permanent damage, 1 or 2 doctor visits only? If so, $500 is more then fair. Put it in her college fund and by the time she needs it, it will be more.

[mdavenport]

My daughter is 14 years old, we were in the parking lot and I had pull over to the right side for her to get out. Instead of the driver slowing down to see why we were stop, the driver went around. I tried to get my daughter's attention but it was too late, just as she began to cross the driver struck her. She went up in the air and landed on the ground, not only did I witness the accident it shook up her little brother who was in the car with us.

Now she has problems when crossing the street, when we are in parking lots and panics when she sees people crossing the street when a car is coming.

I am not trying to get a large settlement, I just really don't think that $500 is fair.

[las365]

Are you saying that she didn't get any medical treatment? It's going to be hard to get much money if she hasn't seen any kind of doctor for any of her injuries (physical or mental/emotional) caused by the accident.

By the way, you and your son may have valid "bystander" claims, but they are not going to be extremely high-dollar claims either.

[SF439]

They should pay her therapy bill for her panick attacks. $500 sounds pretty fair for some bruises. I'd just settle for that and for them to pay her therapy bills.