SOMEBODY HELP!! How can I get rid of $4200 bill they are trying to charge me for a stupid accident?

Question

OK, I was driving a car without insurance, I was parked, backed up and other car coming in the middle of the street crash my car, he got the left front light broken and may be the bumper, but that's it. Now I received a bill for $4200!!!! from his insurance company. In CA when you buy an insurance policy they cover for uninsured motorist, that means that the other's insurance is paying for reparements. But can they bill me for this? What can happen to me if I decide not to pay for this? Should I concider a settlement and pay $2000 ?

Answer 1

Uninsured motorist coverage is for the benefit of the person holding the coverage, and not for YOUR benefit.  It pays damages for the insured, so that HE doesn't have to fight YOU (with no insurance) to get his car repaired.  That does NOT mean that the insurer is not going to come after you for the costs of the damages you caused.

If you don't pay, they can take you to court, obtain a judgment against you, and garnish your wages to enforce payment.  And they WILL win their case.  If they are willing to take a quick and easy settlement for $2000, I strongly recommend that you avail yourself of the offer.

Answer 2

If someone is offering you a 2000.00 settlement on a  4200.00 repair bill, then, they have already settled with their own client and now they are fishing for their money from you.  I think you have a moral responsibility to make restitution, but not a legal one.  The motorist got his or her car repaired through their own insurance.  The insurance company is trying to recover their money from you. If they are already "discounting" their offer to settle, then it sounds to me as though they do not have a legal claim to their losses.   You could get further advice from the legal community on here or try some Free Legal Advice on-line.

Answer 3

You caused the accident.   Because of your irresponsibility you cost somebody else $4200.  Turn the situation around, wouldn't you want any damage paid  for that somebody caused to you?  Would you take only $2000?

Answer 4

Don't  pay  attention  and  see  how   far  they  will  take  it .no  settlement , just  wait  and pay no mind, worst come to worst they will report you to a  collection agency and  they  will send  letters  for  payment,don't talk to anyone ,unless  you  want  to  pay.good luck

Answer 5

Yes, they can bill you. That's how it works, just because they cover means that they are willing to pay for the repairs while they sue you. If you don't pay, you will lose your driving privledges for a long time and have to pay an extra high insurance premium once you are allowed to drive again, probably in ten years. I don't know what kind of car it is, but my mom's 99 alero the front light cover alone costs 700, plus the light equipement which was damaged, plus the labor, plus the bumper, plus the labor, plus the money it's gonna take to get you to pay. So 4200 dollars is extremely lucky. If you can get a settlement, go for it and pay it. It's a lot cheaper to just pay your own insurance, by the way. But you were at fault because you backed out in front of him, you always check for traffic before moving and clearly signal with your turn signal that you are moving into the road.

Answer 6

If you don't pay it, the insured motorist can take you to court.

You can either hire a very good lawyer, or face up to the mistake you made and pay the money. It may have been an accident, but these things happen.

Answer 7

The other driver's insurance pays for their damage and then comes after you for the money.  You will be taken to court if you do not pay.

Answer 8

Just because he got paid under uninsured motorist, doesn't get you off the hook!

You get rid of that bill, by paying it.  You owe his insurance company, for the money they paid out.  

I doubt they'd settle for half.  If you have a job, they'll just garnish your wages, and then it will end up being $4200, plus collection fees, plus attorney fees, plus interest - likely more than twice that, before all is said and done.

They'll just attach your car, your property, your house, your income tax returns, whatever, until they get their money.  The sooner you pay them back, the less it will cost you.  That's how it works in the world, when you don't have insurance to pay on your behalf.

Answer 9

not only can they do all the above they can have your license taken away as well in some states.

Trust me, the insurance company can and will get their  money and they deservie it.  Their insured didn't cause it, you did.  Act responsibly and pay the bill.