The worst offer I’ve ever encountered!
After twelve years in the insurance industry, I’ve never come across such an appalling proposal.
Here’s the situation: 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.
The at-fault party has a $1 million/$1 million commercial policy. We’re in a pure comparative fault state.
The injured party suffered significant injuries, including eight rib fractures (both displaced and non-displaced) and two fractures of the sternum.
The total medical expenses, which cover all hospital treatments as directed by a physician, amount to $55,000.
Yet, the BI adjuster has proposed a mere $15,000, inclusive of everything!
After filing a lawsuit, we managed to resolve the case through counsel just two weeks before the scheduled pre-trial conference.
The adjuster justified this lowball offer by claiming there were pre-existing injuries.
I’m utterly stunned!
It sounds like you’ve encountered an incredibly frustrating situation! With the severity of the injuries and the clear liability on the defendant’s part, that $15,000 offer seems not only unreasonable but also disrespectful to the injured party’s suffering and medical expenses. It’s especially concerning that the adjuster would attribute the offer to alleged pre-existing injuries without adequate justification.
In a pure comparative negligence state, it’s crucial for the adjuster to recognize the evidence pointing to the defendant’s fault. It seems like pursuing legal action was the right choice, especially given the injuries sustained and the substantial medical specials of $55,000. I hope the case resolution brings a fair outcome that truly reflects the damages incurred by the injured party. It’s a reminder of the challenges we often face in this industry, and the need for advocates who will fight for what’s right.