chrisg1776
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Colorado
I was rear ended over a year ago. I did extensive Chiropractic and Physical Therapy. I have back and neck injuries and I also sustained a concussion with a huge knot on my head. I use to run a business doing manual labor but I can't do it anymore because it's too painful and I suffer for three days after doing a job. However I feel like I'm going to get screwed any way it goes, I was just wondering if anyone else out there has heard of a similar situation.
My medical bills are $23,000.
40% for attorney fees plus expenses.
No loss of pay because I am self employed and don't have the proper records (shame on me for not keeping the right records I guess).
The attorney sent a demand letter for $100,000. The insurance countered with an offer of $26,000, which is $3,000 for pain and suffering and would leave me about $12,000 in DEBT. Of course we didn't take the offer.
My attorney wants to sue. He sent a packet stating that costs could be $20,000 or more, PLUS 40% legal fees. So let's figure this out:
$100,000 claim
- $40,000
_____________
$60,000
-$20,000 - fees
_______________
$40,000
-$23,000 medical bills
__________________
$17,000.
OK, $17,000 is decent, no problem. But that's IF we can get $100,000. However the numbers change significantly if we get $75,000
$75,000
-$30,000
_______
$45,000
-$20,000 - Expenses
______________
$25,000
-$23,000 - Medical
_______________
$2,000
So if we only get $75,000, then I'm screwed. $2,000 for a year of being unable to work, being rendered incapable of doing my previous work and also dealing with persistent back and neck pain plus ringing in my ears plus the weekly migraine, all of which I've never experienced before. But I guess it's better than being $12,000 in debt.
Here is the other factor. We don't even know yet what the coverage is and judging by the kids car who rear ended me, there isn't much else of value. So the max liability could very well be $35,000, $50,000 or something like that. So that's another factor to consider too.
So has anyone else been in a situation like this? Can the outcome REALLY leave me with $2,000 or am I over- thinking this??
Colorado
I was rear ended over a year ago. I did extensive Chiropractic and Physical Therapy. I have back and neck injuries and I also sustained a concussion with a huge knot on my head. I use to run a business doing manual labor but I can't do it anymore because it's too painful and I suffer for three days after doing a job. However I feel like I'm going to get screwed any way it goes, I was just wondering if anyone else out there has heard of a similar situation.
My medical bills are $23,000.
40% for attorney fees plus expenses.
No loss of pay because I am self employed and don't have the proper records (shame on me for not keeping the right records I guess).
The attorney sent a demand letter for $100,000. The insurance countered with an offer of $26,000, which is $3,000 for pain and suffering and would leave me about $12,000 in DEBT. Of course we didn't take the offer.
My attorney wants to sue. He sent a packet stating that costs could be $20,000 or more, PLUS 40% legal fees. So let's figure this out:
$100,000 claim
- $40,000
_____________
$60,000
-$20,000 - fees
_______________
$40,000
-$23,000 medical bills
__________________
$17,000.
OK, $17,000 is decent, no problem. But that's IF we can get $100,000. However the numbers change significantly if we get $75,000
$75,000
-$30,000
_______
$45,000
-$20,000 - Expenses
______________
$25,000
-$23,000 - Medical
_______________
$2,000
So if we only get $75,000, then I'm screwed. $2,000 for a year of being unable to work, being rendered incapable of doing my previous work and also dealing with persistent back and neck pain plus ringing in my ears plus the weekly migraine, all of which I've never experienced before. But I guess it's better than being $12,000 in debt.
Here is the other factor. We don't even know yet what the coverage is and judging by the kids car who rear ended me, there isn't much else of value. So the max liability could very well be $35,000, $50,000 or something like that. So that's another factor to consider too.
So has anyone else been in a situation like this? Can the outcome REALLY leave me with $2,000 or am I over- thinking this??