The worst offer I’ve ever encountered.
After twelve years in the insurance industry, I’ve never seen such a terrible proposal.
The liability is clear: the defendant failed to yield at a yellow light and turned in front of the injured party, who was going straight through the intersection.
There is $1 million/$1 million in BI coverage under a commercial policy, and we’re in a pure comparative negligence state.
The injured party suffered significant injuries, including eight rib fractures (both displaced and non-displaced) and two fractures to the sternum.
The total medical expenses, all incurred under a doctor’s supervision, amount to $55,000.
Yet, the BI adjuster’s offer is a mere $15,000, all-inclusive.
A lawsuit was filed, and the case was resolved with legal counsel just two weeks before the scheduled pre-trial conference.
The adjuster’s reasoning? They cited pre-existing injuries.
I’m absolutely astounded.
It’s truly baffling to see such a low offer in a situation with clear liability and significant injuries. Twelve years in the insurance industry surely gives you a solid perspective on reasonable compensation, and this does sound like a classic undervaluation case. With eight rib fractures, a fractured sternum, and substantial medical bills, $15,000 is an insult, especially given the defendant’s clear fault in the accident.
It’s frustrating when adjusters lean on pre-existing conditions to justify inadequate offers, especially when the current injuries are severe and well-documented. I’m glad to hear that the case was resolved favorably with your counsel, but it’s disheartening that it took filing a suit to get to a reasonable resolution. Keep advocating for fair treatment; it’s cases like these that highlight the need for accountability in the insurance industry.