Insurance Settlement Update
I was involved in a rear-end collision while stopped at a red light when the other driver hit me at around 30 mph. Fortunately, my car is still drivable, and the airbags did not deploy. However, I have been experiencing some back pain. Both my wife and I consulted doctors who advised us to focus on gentle stretching and rest. If the pain doesn’t improve in 4-6 weeks, we might consider massages, and my wife was prescribed muscle relaxers. Thankfully, our two kids were unharmed in the incident, and there were no serious injuries.
The insurance company will handle the repair of my car. Since we’re not pursuing further medical treatments like massages, they offered us a total of $8,000—$1,500 for each child and $2,500 for each adult. Initially, they proposed $5,000, but after some negotiation, I was able to secure the $8,000. They did deny my request for $10,000 verbally three times.
Do you think $8,000 is a fair settlement for pain and suffering?
When evaluating settlement offers for pain and suffering, it’s important to consider several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, and medical expenses. Given that you and your wife were advised to do stretches and take it easy, and considering that your injuries don’t appear to be severe, the offer of $8,000 seems reasonable, particularly since it accounts for both adults and children.
If your back pain persists or worsens, or if you decide to pursue further treatment, you might reconsider your options. However, since both you and your wife have been advised that only stretching is necessary for now, and considering that your children were unharmed, the insurance company’s offer seems to reflect your current situation.
If you feel that the pain and suffering significantly impact your quality of life or if there are any unanticipated medical costs, it might be worth discussing these factors with a legal professional. They can help assess whether to negotiate further or accept this offer, depending on your circumstances. Ultimately, if you are able to alleviate the pain through simple stretches, accepting the offer might be wise to avoid the stress of a prolonged negotiation.