Car Accident Help!

[Help_inLA]

What is the name of your state? California

Please help me with the situation I am in. I got into a fender bender accident in California, where I rear ended a car. We exchanged insurance information on the spot and I filed a SR-1 form with the DMV (the accident I assumed was for under $750).

Afterwords, I received notice from my insurance company that I had missed a payment (absolutely no prior notice of the unpaid bill was given to me!) and that the insurance company is refusing to process my claim.

As a result of this, the DMV sent me a licence suspension notice. I hired a lawyer and scheduled a DMV hearing. The other party did turn up for the hearing and served as a witness during the hearing. The hearing was held a few months ago, but no decision has been made by the DMV as yet.

Meanwhile, the other party has filed a small claims suit against me and is claiming a higher amount than what is entitled to him (I have a copy of his SR-1 too and he filed damages for less that $750 too).

I have a few questions about my DMV hearing and small claims case pending.

- Can the DMV hearing decision be affected by the decision made on the damages from the small claims court?

- How long does it normally take for the DMV to make a decision on the case (it has been more than a few months and I have not heard anything back)?

- Can I use the other parties SR-1 as proof that he is claiming too much?

Thanks for all the help. This is an excellent forum!

[ecmst12]

He will have to provide proof of his damages to the court. If the proof is in order, he will get a judgement for that amount. I doubt it will have any bearing on your dmv issue.

[Help_inLA]

Thanks Ecmst12,

I was hoping you could also help me with another question I had asked, namely:

- How long does it normally take for the DMV to make a decision on the hearing (it has been more than a few months and I have not heard anything back)?

Thanks so much!

[ecmst12]

Not a clue. I don't live in CA.