What is the name of your state? I live in New York
Well, heres my story:
In the early spring of last year, I was driving down a 2 lane 50 MPH road in New Jersey. It was not raining or icy. The car in front of me apparently missed an exit, and slammed full force on his breaks. We were both travelling around 40 MPH in the left lane on this 2 lane road. I struck the vehicle in the back left side. Since I was breaking when the cars hit, My hood and front lights got damaged - and my air bags did not deploy. (since the bumper was untouched).
I had a bang to the head and was taken to the hospital along with the driver of the other vehicle. She claimed she had back pain. The woman was admitted before me, and was released within the hour. She walked out on her own accord. I got 12 stitches on the top of my head.
I got a letter from her laywer a month later stating that I am being "sued" and to forward a copy of the letter to my Insurance company other horrible things will happen. I complied.
After speaking repeatedly to All-State (my car insurance company as well as the other driver) they told me that the hospital gave her a completely clean bill of health and that she was ok. They also told me that I should expect to be "sued" a year from now, since All State was offering her absolutely nothing other than the repair on her cars and the minor medical bills.
Sure enough, a year later, I get served with tons of paperwork. Pretty much, this womans suit claims that I was "Driving recklessly", that I was "speeding", that I was not braking properly, that my car is "not up to code", that Im not fit to be driving a car. She is sueing because (you guessed it) she now has "mental and emotional" problems. Her back will permanently injured, and she has not returned to work since the accident.
I have full coverage on the car, it was a new Nissan Altima. The police report shows nothing about recklessless, just that I struck her in the back. I have a $400,000 policy max for this type of thing.
I will be calling my insurance compnay tomorrow obviously, and passing along all the information to them. How much trouble can I possibly be in? I have a stellar driving record - been driving for 17 years..and have had a clean record for the last 7 years (before that I have only had 2 speeding tickets in my lifetime).
Is my house, my possessions, my life in jeopardy? Is it possible the Judge can feel that the $400,000 that All state would have to pay is too little and that my house would be the rest of the payment? Im panicing here....
Well, heres my story:
In the early spring of last year, I was driving down a 2 lane 50 MPH road in New Jersey. It was not raining or icy. The car in front of me apparently missed an exit, and slammed full force on his breaks. We were both travelling around 40 MPH in the left lane on this 2 lane road. I struck the vehicle in the back left side. Since I was breaking when the cars hit, My hood and front lights got damaged - and my air bags did not deploy. (since the bumper was untouched).
I had a bang to the head and was taken to the hospital along with the driver of the other vehicle. She claimed she had back pain. The woman was admitted before me, and was released within the hour. She walked out on her own accord. I got 12 stitches on the top of my head.
I got a letter from her laywer a month later stating that I am being "sued" and to forward a copy of the letter to my Insurance company other horrible things will happen. I complied.
After speaking repeatedly to All-State (my car insurance company as well as the other driver) they told me that the hospital gave her a completely clean bill of health and that she was ok. They also told me that I should expect to be "sued" a year from now, since All State was offering her absolutely nothing other than the repair on her cars and the minor medical bills.
Sure enough, a year later, I get served with tons of paperwork. Pretty much, this womans suit claims that I was "Driving recklessly", that I was "speeding", that I was not braking properly, that my car is "not up to code", that Im not fit to be driving a car. She is sueing because (you guessed it) she now has "mental and emotional" problems. Her back will permanently injured, and she has not returned to work since the accident.
I have full coverage on the car, it was a new Nissan Altima. The police report shows nothing about recklessless, just that I struck her in the back. I have a $400,000 policy max for this type of thing.
I will be calling my insurance compnay tomorrow obviously, and passing along all the information to them. How much trouble can I possibly be in? I have a stellar driving record - been driving for 17 years..and have had a clean record for the last 7 years (before that I have only had 2 speeding tickets in my lifetime).
Is my house, my possessions, my life in jeopardy? Is it possible the Judge can feel that the $400,000 that All state would have to pay is too little and that my house would be the rest of the payment? Im panicing here....