Expert: Doctor Settlement - 6/26/2006

Question
I was recently involved in a very minor bump to a car in front of me. The bumper of the car involved was already all scratched. The driver asked me to pull over. I was with my 12y/o cousin and due to being responsable and polite i did. The lady took my license information and my cellphone number. Im not insured under the policy of the car i was driving. But it was so minor I pulled over thinking that the owners will drop the case, as it has happened to me before that people hit me on the rear end. Im so concerned that they might file a case and the insurance is not mine. There was no police involved, nor any report by police at the scene was made.
How long can the affected party file for a claim against me?

Answer

Dear Liz,

You have two kinds of cases to worry about.  First, she could file with your state department of licening (or other agency with jurisdiction over uninsured motorists).  In that case, you would have to pay her damages and post financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance form) in order to retain your license.

Your department of licensing or your state insurance commissioner http://www.settlementcentral.com/links.php can give you the date by which she must file or she will not have the leverage the statute afforde.

Or, second, she could file against you in small claims court.  Usually they will take any claim for tortious injury up to your state Statute of Limitations http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0452.htm

If she does call and asks for money, make sure that the body shop did not include all of the other damage in the repair order.

Finally, ask for a general release if you do have to pay anything.  A general release can be created by you.  It includes a release for all damages, including bodily injury, known and unknown allegedly suffered as a result of the automobile accident of (insert date).

Best Wishse,

Dr. Settlement, J.D.
http://www.SettlementCentral.Com