I had a car accident that I was at fault in, and it happened during a gap of my insurance coverage
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
I had a car accident that I was at fault in, and it happened during a gap of my insurance coverage
I got a letter a few months after the accident from one of the cars involved in the auto accident asking for me to pay $8,000. I’m 18 and barely out of high school, but arranged to make $25 a month payments because it was all I could afford. Just last month I got emailed from an insurance company for the other car in the accident, they want $4,000. I haven’t yet responded, but they didn’t threaten to take away my license like the first letter did. Could I get away with just ignoring it, and if they send it to collections, would I be notified? Thanks.
Asked on April 30, 2009 under Accident Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 15 years ago | Contributor
Driving without insurance is illegal in California, but threatening people with criminal prosecution for civil damages is not highly regarded either.
If you injured someone, or did property damage, and it was all your fault, and your are 18, you are liable for such damages regardless of your age.
Given that you're facing exposure of $12,000 (and who knows if they won't seek more later) it may be time to discuss it with your parents, and speak with a lawyer in California. Hopefully you won't have to file bankruptcy to wipe out the financial obligations, but at least a lawyer can try to negotiate down what you owe and get you a general release and keep you from making any other mistakes.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.