What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I had borrowed a friends car that I was told was completely legit (insurance, current registration, the whole 9) to run an errand. On the way back I was hit from behind thus causing me to hit the car in front of me which then hit the car in front of it. After the accident I come to find out that the car was dropped from the policy and the car owner wasn't made aware (on a policy with a their SO). Long story short the insurance companies found me to be at fault since the person who hit me didn't stay around to share any information. One company came after me while the other company went after the owner of the car (as they said the responsibility of insurance is said to follow the owner). Now I have a driver who says she's suffered personal injury and would like compensation. She first contacted me a few weeks after the accident to make me aware and asked me to pay her medical bills to which I responded I would need to see them. Once I asked for proof she immediately threatened to sue me. Then she suggested we settle and after which if her medical expenses exceeded the settlement amount she would no longer hold me responsible. I again said it was a possibility pending proof. She told me she would contact me in a few days and waited months.
Now, she has once again contact me asking for insurance information to which I reminded her there isn't any. So now she has informed me to prepare to be contact by her attorney for personal injury.
Here's my thing:
I have no problem paying as I did hit her but she keeps refusing to furnish proof of the bills. If she has an attorney and plans on suing I know she has proof so why not just provide it to settle?
1. How come one insurance company decided the responsibility of repayment fell on me whereas the other company believed it to be the fault of the car owner?
2. I realize I should get an attorney, but how do personal injury cases play out? Especially when initially the request was to just repay her for her out of pocket expenses?
3. Will the owner of the car have anything to do with the personal injury suit?
I realize i'm in a bad place but any advice or insight will greatly help me. Thank you.
I had borrowed a friends car that I was told was completely legit (insurance, current registration, the whole 9) to run an errand. On the way back I was hit from behind thus causing me to hit the car in front of me which then hit the car in front of it. After the accident I come to find out that the car was dropped from the policy and the car owner wasn't made aware (on a policy with a their SO). Long story short the insurance companies found me to be at fault since the person who hit me didn't stay around to share any information. One company came after me while the other company went after the owner of the car (as they said the responsibility of insurance is said to follow the owner). Now I have a driver who says she's suffered personal injury and would like compensation. She first contacted me a few weeks after the accident to make me aware and asked me to pay her medical bills to which I responded I would need to see them. Once I asked for proof she immediately threatened to sue me. Then she suggested we settle and after which if her medical expenses exceeded the settlement amount she would no longer hold me responsible. I again said it was a possibility pending proof. She told me she would contact me in a few days and waited months.
Now, she has once again contact me asking for insurance information to which I reminded her there isn't any. So now she has informed me to prepare to be contact by her attorney for personal injury.
Here's my thing:
I have no problem paying as I did hit her but she keeps refusing to furnish proof of the bills. If she has an attorney and plans on suing I know she has proof so why not just provide it to settle?
1. How come one insurance company decided the responsibility of repayment fell on me whereas the other company believed it to be the fault of the car owner?
2. I realize I should get an attorney, but how do personal injury cases play out? Especially when initially the request was to just repay her for her out of pocket expenses?
3. Will the owner of the car have anything to do with the personal injury suit?
I realize i'm in a bad place but any advice or insight will greatly help me. Thank you.