Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 1/18/2010

Question
Someone rear-ended me who turned out to be DUI. It clearly states that in the police report. Does the fact that has was arrested for DUI involved accident give me a larger multiplier for my claim? It occured in Washington, DC and i has soft tissue injuries that I received treament for for 1.5 months of pain. My attorney is about to submit my claim but I wanted to get a "ballpark" range of what to expect, historically based on these circumstances. The other person's insurance company is Allstate and I understand they use Collosus for their claims, which I hear is famously unforgiving for minor, non-life threatening claims. Is that also true? Am I gonna get screwed? Though I didn't have major injuries, I am still mentally forced to take another way home to avoid the area.

Answer
Hi Ray,

Yes. Everything you have heard about Allstate and Collosus are true. With a minor injury and treatment that only lasted for 1.5 months You will likly not get more that 2 to 3 times the total of the medical bills. It is possible that your attorney will get more than that if you are entitled to punitive damages for the DUI. You should discuss this with your attorney. He/she would be in the best position to answer this wuestion.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh