I was rear ended in my car and my two children (4&6) were with me – I have had some back pain since the accident but did not go to the hospital or receive treatment from any drs at this point. I told the insurance I was having back pain (not severe and controlled with Tylenol. ) They offered me $500 and to sign a release form.
My question if I do not plan to seek treatment hoping it will be better within a week, is this a fair amount or can you negotiate with the claims adjuster ?
What should I do?
Posted by Mmme888
5 Comments
Don’t sign anything yet. $500 is a “sorry for your trouble” settlement, not a medical settlement. Don’t “hope it will get better.” If you still have pain after a few days, see a physician.
You absolutely should file a claim with YOUR insurance company.
You can always negotiate, however with no treatment, I would not expect a lot.
You’re not going to get more money if you don’t get any treatment. Right now, they’re offering you a gift b/c the entire basis of your claim is “my back is a little sore”. I don’t mean that rudely or to say you’re not hurt. But typically, you’re pushed to go get treatment and have an actual diagnosis of injury to support a claim.
My advice is…..if you’re hurt and you don’t know what could be wrong……don’t take a settlement right now. Go to the doctor. See if there is actually something wrong here. If you sign the release now in order to get a quick $500…..and find out in 2 weeks you actually have a fracture or a disk issue…….you are on your own with that. Find out if you’re actually hurt before you agree to a release of liability here.
What state? But no, you should not be settling any claim until your injuries and treatment have resolved. There’s no rush here. Go to a doctor asap.
Even without any treatment, most companies won’t have an issue up to like $2,500 per person for a quick settlement with a signed release.