California
Hello,
I was involved in a accident. I was at fault and the driver of the other car sustained some injuries (luckily relatively minor considering, 2 broken ribs and a small cut.) Unfortunately I was stupid and only had minimum liability coverage ($15,000 in California) The other driver also had minimal Car insurance coverage and has hired an attorney. He was taken to the Hospital by an Ambulance after the accident and spent 2-3 days at the hospital.
My insurance adjuster has offered the Liability Policy Limit of $15,000, and said if the medical costs come out to be more they will try to go to his insurance to use the Uninsured/Under-insured Coverage of his Insurance plan for the remaining amount, likely the State minimum of $15,000 (not sure if this is possible?) For someone with health insurance the same medical/hospital costs would likely come out to be between $10-$15K. However the combined medical bills + pain & suffering + wage loss (although I don't think he has much for wage/income) will likely be greater than the $15,000 Policy limit.
I have the few following questions,
a.) How much does a typical personal injury case of 2 broken ribs get settled for? Any real-life examples would be great?
b.) Since he doesn't have health insurance, I'm guessing the Hospital is going to send him a 'racked-up' bill that is not discounted as it usually is with health insurance companies. My insurance adjustor mentioned that 2 broken ribs doesn't usually lead to significant medical bills since Doctors can't do anything and just send you home to recover on your own in 6-8 weeks with pain-killers for the Ribs. However I am afraid that the Ambulance, ER, MRI, Hospital stay costs of 2-3 days will come out to an exorbitant amount (like $50-80,000???) since he has no health insurance. My insurance adjustor said she will have his Attorney negotiate medical bills down with the hospital if necessary, how likely is this? I am doubting it as his Attorney will likely want the settlement/bills to be as high as possible so he can multiply it by 3 and get the most commission out of the settlement himself.
Hello,
I was involved in a accident. I was at fault and the driver of the other car sustained some injuries (luckily relatively minor considering, 2 broken ribs and a small cut.) Unfortunately I was stupid and only had minimum liability coverage ($15,000 in California) The other driver also had minimal Car insurance coverage and has hired an attorney. He was taken to the Hospital by an Ambulance after the accident and spent 2-3 days at the hospital.
My insurance adjuster has offered the Liability Policy Limit of $15,000, and said if the medical costs come out to be more they will try to go to his insurance to use the Uninsured/Under-insured Coverage of his Insurance plan for the remaining amount, likely the State minimum of $15,000 (not sure if this is possible?) For someone with health insurance the same medical/hospital costs would likely come out to be between $10-$15K. However the combined medical bills + pain & suffering + wage loss (although I don't think he has much for wage/income) will likely be greater than the $15,000 Policy limit.
I have the few following questions,
a.) How much does a typical personal injury case of 2 broken ribs get settled for? Any real-life examples would be great?
b.) Since he doesn't have health insurance, I'm guessing the Hospital is going to send him a 'racked-up' bill that is not discounted as it usually is with health insurance companies. My insurance adjustor mentioned that 2 broken ribs doesn't usually lead to significant medical bills since Doctors can't do anything and just send you home to recover on your own in 6-8 weeks with pain-killers for the Ribs. However I am afraid that the Ambulance, ER, MRI, Hospital stay costs of 2-3 days will come out to an exorbitant amount (like $50-80,000???) since he has no health insurance. My insurance adjustor said she will have his Attorney negotiate medical bills down with the hospital if necessary, how likely is this? I am doubting it as his Attorney will likely want the settlement/bills to be as high as possible so he can multiply it by 3 and get the most commission out of the settlement himself.
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