[sukeyla]

I was involved in a car accident , we where hit in the rear by a 18 wheeler. My husband was driving I was on the passenger sit my 4 children where in the back 1 in a car seat . My 3 year old was thrown from the vehicle with minor cut and bruises. My leg was hurt bad but not broken . I have some back damage. My other kids came out with minor cuts also . The vehicle flipped twice. The insurance company is making a offer of 70,000.00. Do you think that reasonable

[Fr_Chuck]

Most likely no, first add up the value of the car, and the contents that were damaged, Most likley a total.

Add up all current medical bills, and any and all of your future medical bills. Plus any possible missed health issues from the children.

So you add up all your bills and where are you at. Think back treatment the rest of your life maybe? If you really are going to have them, you are not really close yet ( my opinon anyway) And if this is their first offer and made it without you having an attorney, you can almost be sure it is too low.

But again I could be wrong and they withdraw the offer,

[ncgirl_21]

Depending on several factors you could be entitled to more your best bet is to CONTACT A LAWYER the insurance will try to get u to settle for the least amount possible.

[ScottGem]

$70K does not seem quite enough. I assume your car was totaled, so you need to ocver replacement value.

But, in a situation like that medical problems can show a big delay. I would consult with your physicians and get their best estimate on what your potential problems might be. I wouldn't consider anything less than double what their initial offer was.

[sukeyla]

Thank you so much for your comments.. I 'm not looking to get rich but I think we have suffered enough.

[Fr_Chuck]

Actually Scott and I are the first to talk bad about people who are asking about and sounding like they want to get rich off a law suit.

So only you can be your judge and know your expenses. But I would note that if we beieve it seems a little low, you may just want to get the pad and paper out and add up all the bills you have had so far and the ones you can expect to have in the future, plus any payment for slight disability if you have one.

Just historicly, the first offer from an insurance company is normally a low figure. Nothing wrong with taking it, if you are happy with it,

Just a note, if your health insurance paid for any of the medical bills, they will often expect to be paid back out of any settlement, since that is what part of the settlement is those paid medical biils.

[sukeyla]

Thanks for your comments

[grammadidi]

They are making an offer for $70000 for ALL of you? It sounds way low to me! First of all, as others have said, you likely have to replace your car. Secondly, I don't know what your back issues are, but often back injuries are with you for life in some degree. You need to have a sense of how long you might expect to have problems with both your back and leg as well as whether you might suffer later in life from these injuries. I would also be concerned as to whether your doctor feels that the children might have difficulties in later years due to their injuries.

You really should seek the advice of a competent lawyer familiar with this type of thing.

Didi

[ScottGem]

Believe me I don't consider a $150K settlement in a case like this "getting rich". Frankly, I think you will NEED that money to cover future bills. Any amount you get over and above current bills should be placed in a separate savings account for at least 5 years as a cushion against future expenses.

An insurance company is going to make a low ball initial offer anyway.

[sukeyla]

they paid the car off about two months ago. They paid the blue book value (7600.00). I did take your advise and got a lawyer.. thank so much for the advise. God bless

[Rockabilly1955mama]

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. And I'm glad to hear you've got a lawyer now. I wish you and your family the best! Take care.