In mid August of this year I was involved in serious car accident with my wife who was in the passenger seat, and I was driving. The accident was on a major highway and traffic was moving about 50 mph, then it came to a sudden stop. I came to a complete stop but the car behind me didn't even slow down and ran right into me. I hit the car in front of me, and he hit the car in front of him, so in total there was 4 cars. The driver of the car that hit me wasn't wearing his seatbelt and put his head through his windshield. My car was totalled. The damages on the car were $10,000 to repair. We went to the emergency room and were there for 15 hours getting scans and xrays. Nothing serious was found, but we were extremely sore and could barely get up for the next 5 days. We both just completed 8 weeks of physical therapy and our backs and necks aren't bothering us anymore, so now it is time to settle the claim with the insurance company for the injuries. (They reimbursed us for the car already) We don't want to get a lawyer, but we also don't want to get majorly underpaid. We talked to a lawyer we know a while ago and he said to call him when the PT is over. I called the person that is handling the claim for the insurance company of the guy at fault to meet and go over the settlement for it(w/o a lawyer). Any idea on how much money my wife and I should be receiving to be fairly compensated for the accident. I have an idea of what is fair, but I was looking for an opinion of someone who is experience in this. So my one question is, how much money may be offered, and also, should I absolutely get a lawyer because they will rip me off? I'm not greedy, but this was a nasty accident and major hassle in my life and I would like to be compensated. Thanks for any help. I'd ask my lawyer this question, but I think he will tell me to definately get a lawyer and his opinion is biased.