If you were uninsured at the tie of a car accident, is it better to contact the party and try to negotiate or do I need an attorney since I wasn’t covered?
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If you were uninsured at the tie of a car accident, is it better to contact the party and try to negotiate or do I need an attorney since I wasn’t covered?
Yesterday I bumped (lightly) the left rear bumper and side panel with the front right side of my bumper as I was parking into a space. Is it better to contact the party and try to negotiate or do I need an attorney since I wasn’t covered? It appears damage was minimal – both parties came out and we exchanged pertinent information. I have had car insurance for approximately 5-6 years and I found out this morning that they had cancelled my policy in December. What is the best approach to handling this? My former insurer said they would not cover it.
Thank you
Asked on January 20, 2016 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Assume that an attorney will most likely charge you $1,000 and up to handle even a simple matter--depending on the attorney, possibly considerably more than $1,000. If the damage to the other vehicle was minimal and the driver doesn't seek more than a few hundred or a thousand dollars from you, and/or the damage to your own vehicle is similary minimal, an attorney would not be worthile--you could spend more on the lawyer than is at stake. If sued for several thousand dollars, or you need to sue for several thousand, then you probably want a lawyer.
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