Insurance companies require a lot of information in order to evaluate your claim. If you try to handle your case yourself, they may tell you that they want you to provide them with medical bills and then offer you the cost of those bills plus an additional amount of money for "pain and suffering". What the adjuster likely won't do is tell you all of the rights you have to be compensated for the effects the other driver's negligence had on your life. To adequately evaluate a case, you must have all of the medical bills and then take into account all other economic losses that you have suffered as a result of this accident. Did you have to take sick time from work? Did you have to rent a car? How many miles did you have to drive time and time again to go to medical appointments? These are all examples of costs that are coming out of your pocket that you should be compensated for. In addition, the toll your injury has had on your family and private life must be taken into account as well. These are called non-economic damages and they include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and inconvenience, just to name a few. Whatever you do, don't simply let the insurance adjuster tell you how you should be compensated for the injuries you suffered. If you want to handle the case yourself, please take a look at our consumer section to get some ideas for handling your case. If you want to consult with an attorney, contact us today. We'll be happy to help.