Car accident-need advice pls

[Anonymous]

I ran a (non 4 way) stop sign in Arlington last summer (July) and my Accord was T boned by a Ford coming from to the right side of the intersection. The driver was alert, yelling & no visible injuries. His front passenger was a woman who stepped out & walked to us. But the driver did not step out and walk. Medics got him a neck brace and took him in an ambulance. I assumed it was a whiplash. I was told he was taken to maybe Georgetown which is a bigger trauma center. He did not have motor insurance.

I got a note from my insurance company today saying that the damages maybe more than my limits of property-100K & bodily injury - 250K

I am very surprised that his medical costs would be more than 250k? I am not trying to be insensitive but trying to understand how the collision could cost so much medical expenses. My family of 4 (including my 2 kids whose passenger side door of my 2004 Accord which was directly hit) were not hurt, and the other driver was on a way more powerful & newer 2015 Ford (whose front had collision damage) but was far away from any direct impact in the driver’s seat. Maybe he had pre-existing medical conditions, that was worsened by the whiplash/impact, would I need to cover that? Or is he asking for pain/suffering and/or lost wages or some other claim? (I still have to call insurance they are in PST)

Would appreciate any advice?

[Anonymous]

Have you been following Obamacare and whatnot recently? The costs can be astronomical. A trip to the ER via ambulance can be 40k alone because they charge just to use the ambulance.

For starters, you need to call the insurance to specify what is being charged before asking us here. We won’t know more than you.

[Anonymous]

Medical can be very costly. When I was tboned by someone like you, I also claimed missed wages, as it was 100% not possible for me to work due to my injuries. So between the medical bills (hospital visit, follow ups, physical therapy, subsequent surgery, and more physical therapy) and my missed work, I was already well over 100K. Lawyer had me add on for the nuisance to my whole family's lives.

Thankfully it was a pretty easy case to be decided on and I was awarded what I asked for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medical can be very costly. When I was tboned by someone like you, I also claimed missed wages, as it was 100% not possible for me to work due to my injuries. So between the medical bills (hospital visit, follow ups, physical therapy, subsequent surgery, and more physical therapy) and my missed work, I was already well over 100K. Lawyer had me add on for the nuisance to my whole family's lives.

Thankfully it was a pretty easy case to be decided on and I was awarded what I asked for.

Oops sorry should write well over 200K.

[Anonymous]

He is asking for medicals, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering. Your insurance carrier is obligated to inform you if the damages are likely to exceed your policy limits. You are responsible for the difference. Whether you will be pursued for that difference depends on factors such as whether they reach a settlement, whether you have jobs and assets, etc.

As to him having or not having insurance, that is irrelevant. You would owe the money even if he has insurance.

If he has preexisting conditions you are responsible for any worsening. You don’t get a good pass.

[Anonymous]

He could likely have pain for the rest of his life. Were you crossing Harrison? I can’t stand people like you who try to skirt responsibility. This is why you carry more than the minimum requirement. I hope the guy is ok.

[Anonymous]

I know two women who were in car accidents (neither was at fault) and both have had pretty much endless health problems since. Multiple surgeries, walking with a cane, difficulty working a regular schedule. Unfortunately, sometimes a traumatic event can trigger resulting chronic health problems that get very expensive.

It could also depend on how good the person's health insurance is, and whether they can keep their job and keep their insurance. (i.e. you're probably on the hook for more if they can't hold down a job and keep insurance.) I'm just spit-balling, though - just a guess.

[Anonymous]

OP you need a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know two women who were in car accidents (neither was at fault) and both have had pretty much endless health problems since. Multiple surgeries, walking with a cane, difficulty working a regular schedule. Unfortunately, sometimes a traumatic event can trigger resulting chronic health problems that get very expensive.

It could also depend on how good the person's health insurance is, and whether they can keep their job and keep their insurance. (i.e. you're probably on the hook for more if they can't hold down a job and keep insurance.) I'm just spit-balling, though - just a guess.

Their personal insurance will not cover injuries related to a car accident. I'm the pp whose medical and lost wages equaled over 200K. I had fantastic personal insurance. Even on the few things that they initially covered, the second they found out it was related to an accident, I was expected to pay it. Part of my settlement did go back to my personal insurance to pay for what they had covered. Hence why it is VERY easy for medical bills to get high

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know two women who were in car accidents (neither was at fault) and both have had pretty much endless health problems since. Multiple surgeries, walking with a cane, difficulty working a regular schedule. Unfortunately, sometimes a traumatic event can trigger resulting chronic health problems that get very expensive.

It could also depend on how good the person's health insurance is, and whether they can keep their job and keep their insurance. (i.e. you're probably on the hook for more if they can't hold down a job and keep insurance.) I'm just spit-balling, though - just a guess.

Their personal insurance will not cover injuries related to a car accident. I'm the pp whose medical and lost wages equaled over 200K. I had fantastic personal insurance. Even on the few things that they initially covered, the second they found out it was related to an accident, I was expected to pay it. Part of my settlement did go back to my personal insurance to pay for what they had covered. Hence why it is VERY easy for medical bills to get high

That is not normally the case. Health insurers are required to pay and then you are required to reimburse in almost all situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know two women who were in car accidents (neither was at fault) and both have had pretty much endless health problems since. Multiple surgeries, walking with a cane, difficulty working a regular schedule. Unfortunately, sometimes a traumatic event can trigger resulting chronic health problems that get very expensive.

It could also depend on how good the person's health insurance is, and whether they can keep their job and keep their insurance. (i.e. you're probably on the hook for more if they can't hold down a job and keep insurance.) I'm just spit-balling, though - just a guess.

Their personal insurance will not cover injuries related to a car accident. I'm the pp whose medical and lost wages equaled over 200K. I had fantastic personal insurance. Even on the few things that they initially covered, the second they found out it was related to an accident, I was expected to pay it. Part of my settlement did go back to my personal insurance to pay for what they had covered. Hence why it is VERY easy for medical bills to get high

That is not normally the case. Health insurers are required to pay and then you are required to reimburse in almost all situations.

Regardless of whether ops situation is like pps or like what you say, the injured party should not have to pay a penny towards their medical bills. So whether part of it doesn't get paid until a settlement is reached, or the injured has to pay their insurance back, op is on the hook.

[Anonymous]

OK, here is the thing.

If the other driver did not have motor insurance he/she is an irresponsible person and probably a scammer at this point.

I suspect the other driver sees this as an opportunity.

Ultimately closing this out will depend on negotiating.
Generally your insurance company will have a lawyer that will negotiate for you but I'm not sure what happens if monies solicited exceeds your coverage.

You will need to talk to your insurance company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I ran a (non 4 way) stop sign in Arlington last summer (July) and my Accord was T boned by a Ford coming from to the right side of the intersection. The driver was alert, yelling & no visible injuries. His front passenger was a woman who stepped out & walked to us. But the driver did not step out and walk. Medics got him a neck brace and took him in an ambulance. I assumed it was a whiplash. I was told he was taken to maybe Georgetown which is a bigger trauma center. He did not have motor insurance.

I got a note from my insurance company today saying that the damages maybe more than my limits of property-100K & bodily injury - 250K

I am very surprised that his medical costs would be more than 250k? I am not trying to be insensitive but trying to understand how the collision could cost so much medical expenses. My family of 4 (including my 2 kids whose passenger side door of my 2004 Accord which was directly hit) were not hurt, and the other driver was on a way more powerful & newer 2015 Ford (whose front had collision damage) but was far away from any direct impact in the driver’s seat. Maybe he had pre-existing medical conditions, that was worsened by the whiplash/impact, would I need to cover that? Or is he asking for pain/suffering and/or lost wages or some other claim? (I still have to call insurance they are in PST)

Would appreciate any advice?

OP - I just want to make sure I'm clear on this. You ran the stop sign?

If indeed this is the case, you better suck it up and lawyer up - and pray you have umbrella insurance. What were you doing that you ran the stop? Also, the other driver not having insurance has no bearing on this argument. His insurance - if he had it - would not even pay out a dime as you are 100% at fault. His more powerful and newer vehicle has no bearing on this argument, because you ran the stop and it is 100% your fault.

[Anonymous]

No idea but I’d hire a lawyer pronto.

Health care costs are absurd, yes. 250K is nothing these days.

I do have a random question though: so if the person had health insurance would you just be responsible for paying the additional non covered medical costs (the deductible and copays etc) or the entire bill and health insurance pays zero?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea but I’d hire a lawyer pronto.

Health care costs are absurd, yes. 250K is nothing these days.

I do have a random question though: so if the person had health insurance would you just be responsible for paying the additional non covered medical costs (the deductible and copays etc) or the entire bill and health insurance pays zero?

agreed.

DS had an endoscopy a few months ago, that plus two visits to the ER due to pain totaled $65K. completely outrageous but its our reality.