Auto Insurance Claims: Bodily Injury Settlement offer to Low, soft tissue injuries, county demographics

Question
Hello,
I been reading your web & couldn't find something a like, so I decided to wright for help.
We were on a collision, hit by a teenager on her cell phane, which ran a red light.
Our vehicle had over $6000.00 of repairs performed paid by the other party (Farmers).
After going to general doctors and four month's and half of going to physical therapy (chiro), I finalize my treatment of soft tissue injuries and now the liability adjuster calls for a settlement offer.
Well the med bill are $7,200.00, and she is offering me $3,800.00 for pain & suffering, bringing the total settlement to $11,000.00. I believe it's to low, of course it's the first offer they made, they are trying to get a dollar amount from me, what our my expectations, but I'm not sure.I'm in the state of Colorado.
Hope you can advise me, I sure will appreciate it.
Thank you,


Answer
Daniela,

I am always wary about valuating cases for people (I get this question alot). My recommendations are more in the way of negotiating tactics. I can't provide a number because every case is so different. Also, the value of the cases do vary by state and even county demographics (each jury pool is different). Never accept the first offer. Keep asking for more. At some point, the adjuster is going to tell you that the offer being made is their final number. Tell them you will call them back and think about it. At that point, tell them you will take a number that is a few thousand more then their number (if this is true). If they refuse or offer some lesser number, tell them you will get back with them. At that point, you likely have their final number. Then you really must decide whether you want to accept it  or retain an attorney to file a lawsuit. If they think you will never retain an attorney, they will likely offer a bit less (this is just based on my experience).

Best of Luck.

Marc B. Nussbaum, Esquire