Insurance settlement rant!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by nynor

did you quote scripture at him, or offer copies of the 'watchtower'? is the adjuster a christian? does he or she believe in god? what was your 'evidence' that you provided to help he or she? without causality, you kinda left it up in the air...

No offense meant friend, but you might just as well staple your mouth shut and sew your hands together if this is your contribution. How hard is it to type with your head in your ass?

Originally Posted by nynor

how so?

If you have to ask, you would be immune to any explanation

[trekkor]

My lawyer recommended that I get a second or maybe even a third opinion from other counsel before going at it alone, so I am doing just that.


Like I said, I'm not in a real hurry. Not desperate either...
It would have been nice to settle this quickly and easily, sure.
Just not totally necessary.


KT

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I just got off the phone with the lawyers office.

I'll be setting up an appointment later today.

They did mention that, 'yes, Farmer's is not a reasonable insurance company'.


KT

They're just telling you what you want to hear.

Lawyers are like weapons of mass destruction. Both sides have them, but once you use them, your world is all ****ed up.

[trekkor]

My limited experience with lawyers has been pleasantly refreshing.
I've met some very nice people.


KT

[Heel n Toe]

KT, would your insurance company be willing/able to help with some advice, etc.?

[trekkor]

I don't know.
Good question.


KT

[MRM]

The four elements of a negligence claim are:

Duty

Breach (of the duty owed to you)

Damages

Causation between the breach of duty and damages you suffered.

Trek, don't get too worked up. You didn't do anything wrong and you haven't weakened your claim. Even well meaning, honest and forthright people need advocates from time to time. That's what you need right now, is an advocate.

Insurance companies don't know you're an honest and forthright person. Most people they talk to are not, so they assume there's puffery invoved in every claim they see, until proven otherwise. That's where your advocate comes in. Believe me, most people making claims to insurance companies think they are owed more than they are entitled to. If they weren't we wouldn't need insurance adjusters, we'd just have 1 800 numbers for people to call in to, report their claim, and tell the company how much they should be paid.

You need to get connected with a good lawyer who specializes in personal injury and insurance claims. Part of the problem is that consumers of legal services don't have any way to judge the quality of an attorney untill after the case is over because they don't have any frame of reference.

The best way to find a lawyer who can help you is personal referrals from people who have used a lawyer recently. Ask around and then sign on with a lawyer who wants to take your case and specializes in the field.

It shouldn't cost you a bunch of money. When a lawyer says it will cost a lot to prosecute your case, it usually means he doesn't want to take it on, or it means that he thinks you're fighting over principle and you don't have a chance to recover much money. Either way, it means you just didn't find the right person.

Get a couple more referrals, tell the insurer that you're not going to be talking with them because you're getting lawyered up, and let your soon-to-be lawyer do the work for you. That way you know you got what the law says you have coming to you and you have your life to live without worrying about this. It will work out.

[Zeke]

To MRM, yes everything is "puffery" because that is the appropriate counter measure when dealing with a company like Farmers and many more.

Back to nostatic's question: how did the 40K figure get determined? Is that an appropriate amount of puffery?

As I posted before in this thread, loss of wages for self employed won't fly. Even it you were working for the last 10 years for someone else, your lost wages compensation would be that of state disability rates after any state disability income was deducted. IOW, you're screwed there.

You have to carry your own policy for loss of income or assets as a result of an accident and injury. The system sucks in so many ways.

[trekkor]

Keep the comment coming.

Great posts.


KT

[Heel n Toe]

Maybe it's time to call one of those personal injury law firms that advertise on TV.

Just ran across this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPW087RiJ8

...on this guy's website: http://www.bill-green.com/

[JavaBrewer]

Not to make light of your situation KT but this is related and good for a laugh. Bob works for an insurance company and is getting lectured by his boss for not denying more claims.

Pour yourself a glass of wine - heck it's Friday make it a margarita!



Hope this all turns out for you KT.

[trekkor]

I liked the video. Very realistic, I'm sure

I've got my Jazz concert tonight to play in, so I'm feeling pretty good.
I'll pour a glass when I get home.

thanks for the laugh, D.


KT

[trekkor]

The adjuster just called me.

"So have you made a decision"?

I told her unless they have a reasonable offer I have no other choice but to hire a lawyer.

She tried to get me to tell her who it is and how to contact, etc..

I said I'm sure they will know how to contact her.
It felt good.


KT

[Zeke]

She was just calling your bluff. Not that you are bluffing, but if you do have a lawyer, let her know who it is if she asks. Until she knows for sure that you have a lawyer, she won't budge would be my bet.

[cgarr]

When my claim was denied the next contact was from my atty. Almost two years later the claim was paid. They will try to drag you into the poor house.

[Hugh R]

I got sued over a small car wreck once. The other side made the claim that just because the other guy happened to have medical insurance, doesn't absolve my insurance company of the medical bills. I think his insurance company went after mine for the medical costs. I was at fault.