Expert: Doctor Settlement - 8/15/2007

Question
I was involved in a rearender on a rainy day while driving a friends truck which he didn't have insurance. This happened in Florida. The police were not called and I gave my information to the lady. Now I have a laywer from her ins company calling threatening to have my lic suspended if I don't send money to them or her. What would be the best course of action for this?

Answer
Hi Kevin,

Report the accident to YOUR insurance ASAP.  You will be covered for negligence whilst driving another vehicle.

If you have no insurance, then you have three choices:

#1. Tell the lawyer to stuff it.  He will complain to the state department of financial responsibility at the department of licensing.  They will make you pay the disputed sum to the attorney OR PUT IT INTO A BLOCKED ACCOUNT, or else they will suspend your license.

#2. Same as above, except this time you do put the money he is asking for into a blocked account that earns interest.  Then, if the lawyer does bring suit, you will defend and what is voted for in terms of damages will ordered by the jury via the judge's entry of their verdict.   You will pay that amount, and if it is less than the amount you paid in, you get to keep the balance from the blocked account.  If it is more than the amount in the blocked account, of course you pay the balance.

#3. Call the attorney and have him send over the repair estimate and copy of all monies that the insurance company did pay.  Make the best arrangements you can to pay these costs.

Best wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.SettlementCentral.Com