what is a reasonable amount to recieve for pain and suffering
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what is a reasonable amount to recieve for pain and suffering
I was involved in a hit and run. The other driver was at fault and ticketed. His insurance has offered me $250 for pain and suffering and is willing to reimburse me $500 for medical bills. I feel I deserve more for all the time I have had to take out of work to talk to insurance, go to the dr.’s, take my car in to the shop, all the stress involved, etc. How much should I counteroffer without overexagerating? I do not want to hire an attorney because I don’t want to go through this process all over again. I have gotten this far already.
Asked on June 26, 2009 under Accident Law, Colorado
Answers:
M.S., Member, Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
I really cannot recommend that you handle this matter on your own and without competent legal representation. There is an old phrase that goes as follows: "The attorney that represents himself has a fool for a lawyer." By representing yourself, you risk prejudicing your claim and obtaining a much lower settlement than if you had representation. That being said, damages are usually calculated as follows: What are your physical injuries? How serious are they? Did your treating physician assign a disability rating? If so, what is it, and to what part of your body? If you are not fully healed, and you do not anticipate ever recovering 100%, how has that affected your daily activities. If you have lost wages as a result of this accident because you have had to miss work, how much money have you lost. How much are your doctor's bills? Are they more or less than $500? Once you have begun to start to answer these questions you will be able to begin to formulate an appropriate amount of your damages. However, once again I do not recommend doing this yourself without hiring competent legal representation.
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