San Francisco, CA asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for California

Q: My friend was hit by a car by fully covered in motorist insured yet she only got 6,000 why is this

Her inuries included two compound fracture both legs and crced pelvis a brief amwas in hospital two week than in a long term care facility.....yet she only offered 6. Thousand.. ..why so little.others I know we're getting much much more

4 Lawyer Answers
Gerald Barry Dorfman
Gerald Barry Dorfman
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Mill Valley, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Every case is different, but it sounds like your friend is 1. not represented by a lawyer and 2. is still negotiating. She needs a lawyer to get her the best money recovery. It's really that simple. Insurance companies will take advantage of people who do not have lawyers. They make more money when they pay victims less. Almost all personal injury lawyers get paid only when they get their clients compensation, and victims tend to get more money in their pockets when they have legal representation.

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: if she doesn't have a lawyer, she should call asap for a local PI lawyer.

if that is the amount she clears, rather than what the ins co is paying, then it is probably b/c of all the bills that are paid before she gets pd.

She can see a 2nd lawyer for another opinion.

i also assume she didn't have a lot of personal auto ins with UM/UIM to access.

if she had a large auto policy herself, she would have rec'd lots more money.

Theodore Allan Greene
Theodore Allan Greene
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: It's hard to answer your question without more information... but if she doesn't have an attorney that could be why they are trying to low ball her. The insurance company tries to hold on to their money very tightly. If she has an attorney then it's impossible to know what is going on. If she doesn't have an attorney tell her to get one before it's too late.

Lyndsie Nichole Russell
Lyndsie Nichole Russell
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Fresno, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: The car insurance company could be valuing the case extremely low because your friend is not represented or the insurance company does not have all of her medical records/bills to fully evaluate the case. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help your friend evaluate how much the case is worth based on her injuries, amount of paid medical bills, and required future medical treatment. The attorney can also help advise your friend on how much money is available from the other driver's insurance. A fully covered driver could be someone who only has $15,000 in coverage for your friend. A $15,000 per person/ $30,000 per incident policy is all that is required under California law currently.

If your friend is represented, the $6,000 may mean the other driver had a minimum policy. The $6,000 could be what she will receive out of the settlement after the attorney's costs and fees are taken out and after her health insurance or medical providers are reimbursed for their treatment.

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