car accident settlement

[brandiegiuffre]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? AR

Hi - I have a question. My daughter was involved in a vehicle accident (she was not with me at the time). They were hit by a drunk driver. My daughter was the only one with any injuries (lucky - I know) and they were not life threatening.
She had a tooth knocked loose and a banged up face (just brusing). She couldn't eat anything except potatoes, soup (soft foods) for about 2 weeks so her tooth would tighten back up.

I have been told that a 'typical' settlement in AR is medical bills plus pain and suffering (caluclated at 3 X med bills).

Is this correct?

This money will be going to a college fund for daughter so I want to make sure that she is not getting ripped off. I have never had to deal with an accident before and don't know if this 'settlement' calcualation I have been told about is an accurate way to judge what it should be.

According to this calcualtion (if the correct way to do it) - daughters med bills are $950.00 - so pain and suffering should be $2850.00 plus med bills of $950.00 for a total of $3800.00.

Can anyone help if this is correct?

Thanks.

Any thoughts?

 

[racer72]

Is this correct?

No, the 3 times medical bill for pain and suffering is an urban legend. Insurance companies use a formulary to determine pain and suffering. Based on the fact the injuries were relatively minor and there will be no long term affects, she will be lucky to get more than a few hundred dollars. With most cases like this, the general consensus is to ask for the farm but accept the goat.

 

[brandiegiuffre]

Ok. Thank you for the response.
So if they offered med bills plus $2500.00 and 1000.00 open end release for any dr bills that havent come in yet (still waiting on ER DR bill, have the ERs bill, but DR usually bills seperate).

this would be a good offer?

 

[seniorjudge]

Ok. Thank you for the response.
So if they offered med bills plus $2500.00 and 1000.00 open end release for any dr bills that havent come in yet (still waiting on ER DR bill, have the ERs bill, but DR usually bills seperate).

this would be a good offer?

You are the one who has to decide if it is a good offer.

By the way, you make sure that you completely understand what you are signing.

The only thing that counts is what is in writing.

 

[Zigner]

Personally, I'd wait until I actually HAVE all the bills...

 

[ecmst12]

I agree with Zig, but $2500 for pain and suffering is not bad at all.

 

[brandiegiuffre]

Great! Thanks for the advise!!

 

[seniorjudge]

Great! Thanks for the advise!!

Actually, the word is ADVICE.

But I am an English major...you do the math.

 

[brandiegiuffre]

Sorry!
That is what I get for trying to work with a customer on the phone and type at the same time!! I am usually alot better about those things!

 

[seniorjudge]

Sorry!
That is what I get for trying to work with a customer on the phone and type at the same time!! I am usually alot better about those things!

You really need to stop letting your work interfere with your Internet time!