I was involved in a car accident about a year and a half ago.

I had a car accident, and was at fault for following too closely

At the time of the accident, my insurance was expired for couple days.(which sucks really bad)

However, it was not a bad accident at all, just a bump in the back.

The driver looked fine, and was not even hospitalized at that time.

I found out that my insurance company would not pay because I wasn't insured at that time.(which I understood because it was my fault for not making the payment)

So I talked to the other party's insurance company and paid for the property damage which cost about $3000 out of my pocket. There was no mention about the medical damage at all.

I thought the case was resolved.

I recently got a letter from a law firm that they will file a case against me unless I pay $20,000 that I owe for the medical damage.

Claimant was the other party's insurance company.

There is NO way that the medical expense was that much. (Again, he was not even hospitalized at that time!)

All he said after couple days when I contacted him was that his back was a little stiff.

But now, a year and a half after the accident, the company is suing me for $20,000!

I called the law firm and said there is no way it cost the driver $20,000, but they say I could not dispute the case at all.

What should I do?

I am planning to contact the other party's insurance company tomorrow.

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Okay, so I think I am first going to get a lawyer, demand to see the medical bills and pay for the actual amount it cost the other party's driver.

I almost feel forced to do this because I honestly think the actual medical bill would not exceed $1000 at most.

Is this the right thing to do? Or am I just asking to pay more money($20000 and the lawyer)?

Hello sean:

I'd contact a lawyer instead. If you talk to the opposition, you might say something that will come back to haunt you, and cost you even MORE.

excon

Listen to excon.

DON'T talk to anyone but YOUR attorney.

This is serious.

You are on the hook for these damages, even if you don't THINK it could have cost that much, it very easily COULD.

Get an attorney. A GOOD attorney. Now would be a good time to do so.

Yes, this is their attorney and insurance, of course they will lie and tell you anything. You can demand to see medical bills and agree to only pay for the actual needed medical treatment.

But at this point I would get an attorney.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

yes, this is thier attorney and insurance, of course they will lie and tell you anything. You can demand to see medical bills and agree to only pay for the actual needed medical treatment.

But at this point I would get an attorney.

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I'm an accident investigator.

I see a couple of problems here.

Anything you say to the other insurance company will come back to haunt you. It may already be too late for that advice.

You can ask to see the medical bills.

I am very surprised you haven't been sued for pain and suffering - and that may come later.

In many States if there is a Judgment against you for unpaid damages due to MV accident you can lose your driver's license until those damages are paid.

I'm surprised you wren't arrested for driving without a license.

I don't find the medical bills out of line - you are not a Doctor and so your evaluation of the injuries (or possible) injuries has no merit. And I'm not ruling out the other driver trying to make a killing out of your misfortune.

Get an Attorney - this could get very serious very quickly. It's not like there's an insurance company standing between you and the other driver. This is all going to come back on you.