Involved in an accident without insurance

Question

My uncle was without a job and hence without insurance. He had a minor fender bender with someone. He offered to pay for the damage right there but the lady refused her offer. He was given a ticket and court date for causing the accident and for no insurance. He did go to the court and had to pay a fine for not having insurance. The other party did not show up to the court. Four months later, out of no where he got a call from a lawyer threatening to sue him if he didn't pay ridiculous amount of $6000. Uncle still doesn't have a job but I loaned him $1000 to cover the minor damages to the car and additional fees. Lawyer refused to take the offer and are now threatening him with all sorts of stuff like suspending his license and suing him. We have no problem paying for the damage to her car but seems like they are trying to take advantage of him. No one had any injuries also. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and TIA.

Answer 1

go to your local lawyer, usually the city does provide some with low fees or none. ask if they can help since you have been trying to do the right thing.  they have show proof of damages from a reputable mechanic, since the insurance company is most likely to ask for one.  try to contact their insurance agent by going back to court and asking for the info (bill, receipt) if it has the date  close to the one in the accident it would help more.  usually the other party's insurance will cover the damages caused in an accident.  sounds like they are swindlers.  good luck!

Answer 2

You don't know the lady didn't have injuries.

I didn't feel my whiplash for 20 hours after my accident & my back injury didn't show up for at least 8 hours after the accident.

I think the other poster is right, people don't get attorneys for property damage - there really is no money there for them to waste their time.

Your uncle is in serious trouble & I'm not sure why he feels the victim here when he's clearly the perpetrator.

Answer 3

This is just one of the reasons for making sure you have insurance. There are no excuses for moving a car with out it.  

Answer 4

you're (he) is lucky. over here in New York City I'm in danger of having my license suspended for a year for getting a ticket for driving without insurance. and I haven't even mentioned the fines i (hopefully not) may get. 3 minutes before the case *might have* been suspended i asked to re-schedule because I thought the officer was going to show up. I had waited almost an hour. everybody said I was stupid for doing that because the judge might have suspended the case but a lot of the traffic attorneys there were telling me it didn't matter anyway because the judge would have wanted to talk to me about why I was driving with no insurance. I didn't get into an accident I was just pulled over for no good reason. so you're uncle is very lucky that all he had to pay was a fine.

Answer 5

tell him ]laywer] to shut up and take cash or spend time/money to get nothing...they can win a settelment in court and still get nothing...if u have nothing

Answer 6

If the lady has a lawyer -- she's claiming injuries.  Lawyers generally don't take property damage only cases -- there is no money in it for them.

Usually when someone is hit by an uninsured motorist -- the not at fault party files against their own uninsured motorist coverage on their own policy. Once the uninsured motorist claim is settled the insurance company pursues the at fault party for re-payment. The insurance company will let you set up an interest free payment plan. As long as you make the payments- the insurance company does not pursue further action.

Some states will allow the drivers license of an uninsured motorist to be suspended. To get it back - you have to pay fees and show where you have agreed to pay the other party back.  

Answer 7

If your uncle was without a job and without insurance, he should not have been driving.  Since he made the choice to drive, now the consequence is to pay dearly for the damage he caused.

Answer 8

the other people think she is a swindler?  get real, your uncle committed a serious crime by not having insurance and driving.

the other lady was perfectly correct in calling the police.  what guarantee did she have in getting her car repaired?  how could or would he determine the amount needed to fix the car?

is the lawyer representing the insurance company or the lady?

they are probably just trying to recover their costs.

hope they are able to prosecute the uncle to the fullest extent of the law.

why do you think $1000.00 will cover the damages?

i think your uncle took advantage of the situation by not paying for the damages.

lawyers cost money.  your uncle will need one.  since it is a civil case, no government authority will or has the obligation to provide a lawyer for him.

call the lawyer, ask to see a breakdown of the bill and make arrangements to pay.

Answer 9

The lady is more than likely trying to get a civil suit. In which she can claim injuiries, grief, time loss from work, e.t.c. Her insurance had to pay for her damages since your uncle didn't have insurance, which in turn caused her insurance premium to go up. That increase can last from 5-10 yrs. If he can't pay this amount he can be ordered to buy the court and even put into jail until the amount is paid. Sometimes the court will get him a temp job while he is in jail and the money will go straight to the person sueing. If he really feels that he doesn't owe this money he should get a lawyer as soon as possible and try to settle out of court.