Andrew Valdez
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Arizona
I'm looking for advice for my son who just turned 18. He was in an auto accident while at school in AZ. At the time if it matters he was only 17, basically we were contacted by a lawyer representing the other injured parties and told that the insurance company has made a settlement offer but it must include my son as well.
This is what he said "I have negotiated this claim to reach the maximum insured limit of $300,000 in which i have placed the following numbers $100,000 for 1 injured who was hospitalized for 3 days, $100,000 for another hospitalized for 1 week and that leaves $100,000 for my last client and you."
He said that my son needed my signature on the settlement as well.
My son told him ok does that me 50/50 the attorney said no we are only willing to settle your medical expenses and small pain in suffering. My son immediately said no my injuries were worse then your clients so stop being greedy.
The attorney then asked to speak with me and my son, I have not met with him as of yet and not sure that I should. We did not pursue a case because the driver was my sons best friend and we were not looking for a pay day. However if there settlement is contingent on my son agreeing then I guess we have no choice.
My son position is that if someone who claims they broke there hand but was out partying the next day with no brace or cast is getting $50K then his herniated disk at C2 and slipped vertebrae at C2/C3 should be worth the same or more. He basically wants to give the money to a charity and his friend to help get her a new car.
Sorry about the long story.
Anyways my questions are:
Can they settle without my son if they don't reach an agreement with him?
Why is the attorney saying that it is up to his client to say what she wants to give him?
Will my son have to get an attorney to file suit if they don't agree?
Can he still file suit?
How long do we have to file in the state of AZ and will we need an attorney from AZ or CA where we reside?
Should I call this attorney back and hear him out or have an attorney contact him?
Thank you for reading and appreciate any assist you can provide
This is what he said "I have negotiated this claim to reach the maximum insured limit of $300,000 in which i have placed the following numbers $100,000 for 1 injured who was hospitalized for 3 days, $100,000 for another hospitalized for 1 week and that leaves $100,000 for my last client and you."
He said that my son needed my signature on the settlement as well.
My son told him ok does that me 50/50 the attorney said no we are only willing to settle your medical expenses and small pain in suffering. My son immediately said no my injuries were worse then your clients so stop being greedy.
The attorney then asked to speak with me and my son, I have not met with him as of yet and not sure that I should. We did not pursue a case because the driver was my sons best friend and we were not looking for a pay day. However if there settlement is contingent on my son agreeing then I guess we have no choice.
My son position is that if someone who claims they broke there hand but was out partying the next day with no brace or cast is getting $50K then his herniated disk at C2 and slipped vertebrae at C2/C3 should be worth the same or more. He basically wants to give the money to a charity and his friend to help get her a new car.
Sorry about the long story.
Anyways my questions are:
Can they settle without my son if they don't reach an agreement with him?
Why is the attorney saying that it is up to his client to say what she wants to give him?
Will my son have to get an attorney to file suit if they don't agree?
Can he still file suit?
How long do we have to file in the state of AZ and will we need an attorney from AZ or CA where we reside?
Should I call this attorney back and hear him out or have an attorney contact him?
Thank you for reading and appreciate any assist you can provide