What is the potential liability for a car accident with minor damage and questionable personal injuries?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What is the potential liability for a car accident with minor damage and questionable personal injuries?
A few weeks ago, I was driving with my family. At the light, in a distance no more than 3 feet, my car “hit” the other car but I am sure that the other driver was on reverse. He did not speak English and we could not communicate properly. He was driving a 19 year old car. The damage to my car was for $70. Now the driver is suing me for personal injuries. The insurance company lawyer called me to notify me. I am concern about my assets (checking and saving account, retirement account, etc.) Is possible that this person can take all my money?
Asked on September 9, 2011 under Personal Injury, Florida
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Okay, here is the first thing I need to know: did you file a police report and did you state that your car was stopped and the other car was in reverse? That is a very important fact here. Attorneys love "hit in the rear" cases because the liability against their clients is most often 0% as ever state has a "following too closely" law. Now, the next important thing is that you reported it to your insurance company and that any legal papers are sent to them immediately. You are entitled to a defense under your policy for any suits as a result of an accident. What happened here that you were notified? You need to be served with papers yourself. Which insurance company lawyer called you? Once you have an attorney in place you need to keep in touch with him or her as to the injuries of the other party. Do not panic yet. The way for people these days to make money is to sue for it. They can write what ever they want in legal papers as to damages in the millions but they still have to prove it. Wait and see what pans out. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.