Auto Insurance Claims: Auto accident settlement, Soft tissue injury claim value

Question
I was hit by someone who ran a stop sign and was intoxicated. I suffered minor injuries, still have back spasms though. My medical bills aren't that much probably about 5800. My car was totaled out I had to get me another car with car payments that has left me in a hole because I didn't have a car payment before. I am communicating with the adjuster to make sure she has all the records and bills she needs. My question is what am I entitled to? I loss my car and now the car that I am paying for the engine blew so now I have to get a engine for that and still make payments on it. Since this accident I have been in a financial hole. My insurance company totaled my car out. I just want to be done with this whole thing! What do you think they might offer me?

Answer
Tracy,

   Where this loss occurred will make a difference in the value of your claim.  As an adjuster, I would have to ask you some tough questions.  It seems you are blaming your financial situation on the auto accident.  When I say that, I mean you should not expect to get compensated for having to get a car payment (why not buy another car that is the same value as the totaled car?)  Additionally, the engine blowing is a separate issue as well (why did it blow?).  

   Now with all that said, you should expect to get at least all of your medical paid, and should be able to demand at least a couple of thousand for pain and suffering / future medical.  If you could document your damages well, you may be able to get loss of use, and some other various types of recoveries, but in order to point you in the right direction I would have to know things like your medical and claims history, your physical stature, your occupation, your general lifestyle, your marital status and so forth, you get the idea, right?  Evaluation a claim's value is difficult and when done properly accounts for many, many factors.  There is just no simple way for me to give you a good answer in such a short space.  You should check out some resources on the web, there are some good e-books on the subject of soft tissue injury claims and their value.

    I hope this helps!