Expert: Richard L Carranza - 6/5/2005

Question
I was recently involved in a multi-car accident.  I was stopped in the right lane of a 4 lane, divided roadway.  There was a truck to my left.  Another truck ran the red light at a high rate of speed and attempted to turn onto the roadway.  He lost control of his vehicle, fishtailed, hit a curb and caromed into the truck stopped next to me, pushing the truck into to my vehicle.

The driver at fault has no insurance.  I have only liability on my vehicle (and my state has no uninsured statutes).  The middle driver has coverage.  Can I pursue a claim with his company (State Farm)?  What are my options?

Thanks.

Answer
What State are you in that has NO UnInsured Motorist statutues/laws on the books.... that's a new one on me..... Could it be that there are no UnInsured Motorist Property (UMPD) Statues but there are UnInsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) statutes?

In any case you have NO CASE against the State Farm vehicle as it was pushed into your car.

Was the at-fault driver also the owner of the car?  You can go after BOTH...  

Suggest you do an Asset Check (cost about $50-60) to see whether the operator and/or owner have anything to go after by way of judgement (Small Claims Court).  If they are judgement-proof (no attachable asset(s)) then you are essential SOL.

Hope and trust that the above answers your question.

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Thanks