The Insurance Corner

By: Dan Baldyga

   When It Comes To A Motor Vehicle Accident Your "Pain And Suffering" Is What You Get Paid Big Bucks For: It's an absolute necessity that you ask a doctor or chiropractor to provide you with medical attention as soon as possible after you've been smashed into. This decision can make the difference between ending up with a fistful of thousand dollar bills, or what the insurance industry likes to call, a "Nuisance Value" settlement - - a small payment made to close the case.

   Your claim of bodily injury has no credibility with Adjuster Henry Hard-Nose unless the Medical Report executed by Dr. I. M. Comfort, your attending physician or chiropractor, has verified it. If you don't see a doctor or chiropractor, but still attempt to justify an injury that produced "Pain and Suffering" (and also contend you've lost time from work) Hard-Nose is not going to buy it.

   If Your Injury Is Relatively Mild: Under normal, routine circumstances Ole' "Doc" Comfort will probably see you five to eight times without providing complicated treatment. You can expect to be x-rayed, prescribed some pills, told to rest a few days or weeks, and possibly be advised to avail yourself of heat therapy, to be administered, by your honey, at home.

   If Your Injury Is More Serious: You may have to wear a cervical collar (a neck brace) for a few weeks. This can be uncomfortable but it will assist in your physical recovery and produce a higher settlement value of your claim. "Doc" Comfort will probably refer you to a specialist, such as an orthopedist (a bone doctor) or a neurologist (a specialist in nerve damage).

   Minor Bodily Injuries: The vast majority of motor vehicle accidents cause minor injuries. Bodily injury pain cannot be specifically measured (temperament and psychological factors are involved) nor can the limits of human endurance. Each one of us has a different "Pain Threshold".

   The amount and quality of pain you feel is not strictly dependent on the bodily injury inflicted. It has much to do with your previous experiences, how well you remember them, and your ability to understand the cause of the pain and its consequences. For example, the football player will probably experience a blow much differently than the individual who was never able to play contact sports because (to help with the family income) he had to go out and work, full time, at an early age.

   How Much Pain Can A Person Stand? There's no specific answer to that question. Sudden pain, even of less intensity than, for example, a serious burn, can overwhelm the higher nerve centers; so much so that a man could faint! Is Hard-Nose aware of and understand all of this? Take it from Dan, who worked with auto accident claimants for over 38 years, you can bet your last dollar he does!

   Hard-Nose And Your Physical Anguish: Don't kid yourself that Hard-Nose can't get a handle on, nor understand, the "Pain and Suffering" you've been through. He can but even so he'll try to act as though what you've been experiencing is no big deal. Why? Because he knows your claim will cost a lot more money if you get the idea he understands what you've been through, regarding the impact your body was subjected to. Hard-Nose is well aware of where you've been, and where you're coming from, because he negotiates with injured people, day in and day out (all of them struggling with your identical problems) as he goes about the business of settling cases that involve "Pain and Suffering". He handles identical issues every hour of his work life. He knows what you're going through however (you must never forget) a solid portion of his job is to make you believe your over exaggerating your complaints.