Auto Insurance Claims: Accident Claims-pain and suffering, soft tissue injuries, drywall job

Question
Hello, i was involved in a "T-bone" style accident where the driver ran a stop sign and hit me. I ran over a bump and a stop sign. he admitted fault and i filed a claim. His insurance company paid damages of 4050 in repairs and agreed to pay pain and suffering along with lost wages and bills... due to the accident i suffered injury to my neck back and shoulder, im still having pain and my Dr allowed me back to work per my request, cause i cant sit at home not getting paid. I don't really no how to request a number for pain and suffering, i was thinking 17000. i missed going on a trip and the opportunity to do a dry wall job which would have paid me 2700. Do i include this loss? do i include lifestyle changes since my shoulder is still hurting? I have documentation of bills and lost wages also came up with a 2 times formula for pain and suffering. I'm not trying to become rich i just wanna get what my loss is worth to me... Thanks


Answer
Hi Dan,

Most soft tissue injuries will settle for about 2 to 3 times the medical bills. You should ask for 3 times the medical bills plus your lost wages. If you can document the loss of the drywall job for $2700.00 you should ask for that as well. Remember that this will be a negotiated settlement. The insurance company will try to low-ball you. Each time they make an offer you can lower your demand a little bit. You keep going back and forth untim they get to a number you are comfortable with.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh