Questions RE: Florida car accident -- expired tag, no insurance...

Well I've just had what will surely go down in history as one of the most horrible afternoons in my life. I know that I may get a little whiny sounding or perhaps sound like I don't that I've done a big wrong here...but believe me, I DO know...please help...


I was at the bank at lunch, making a car payment. As I was leaving the lot I had a car accident with a girl coming into the lot. There were no stop signs anywhere, so one was at fault...but that's not the bad part. The bad part is that I had both no insurance and an expired registration. I received a citation for both of these issues that I have to pay in 30 days, but before I can pay them, I have to re-register my tag and get insurance, or I have to turn the tag in and agree not to drive the car.


The accident wasn't bad at all...my car was only scratched and dented a small bit in the front, while her car was only slightly more banged-up on the left rear side where I hit her. No one was hurt, although she started saying that she *might* have back pain. She sure seemed fine to me, and said she was fine when she first was hit. It was only when she had a chance to "think about it" and after she had called her insurance company that she mentioned her back.


My damages were estimated by the officer to be $1,500...hers were estimated to be $2,500 (I suppose because she may end up needing a new door, although the dents weren't that bad). So I'm now facing:


* 2 $60.00 tickets

* The fee for registering my tag again

* Renewing my auto insurance (which will be astronomical)

* Being contacted by her insurance to pay damages

* A possible lawsuit if she makes a big deal of this (to my mind) imaginary back problem that sprouted up out of nowhere.


Does anyone out there have an experience like this? How worried should I be about her trying to sue me?


What a horrible, horrible day...I wish I had an explanation or justification for why I didn't have insurance or a current tag. I don't...it's only that I've been poor and behind on bills for so long that it's taking me forever to catch up. Stupid, stupid! What am I doing buying anything likes games or clothes when I should be paying for things like this? What is WRONG with me? I've been meaning for so long to pay for the registration and for getting insurance again...but there were always other things to pay for. I gambled that it was something that I could take care of after taking care of other more pressing issues...I gambled and I lost...big time.


I'm scared...we were both fine...I don't want this girl to be an opportunist about this and sue me


How am I ever going to pay for all of this? I don't know what to do now. I could really use any advice or support that anyone has to offer right now What can I expect to happen now?

Well, I understand what a rotten day this must have been. But, consider the alternative....you or the other person could have been seriously injured, and you didn't go to jail. Now, of course she can claim injuries but she will first have to meet some thresholds of damage (injury) before an attorney would be willing to take the case. My experience, as an Underwriter, and a lifetime
Florida resident is, she won't be able to even exhuast the $10,000 of PIP (Personal Injury Protection) that sheis required to carry by Florida law. She must use this up in medical expenses before she goes after you. Most attorneys who litigate in this area won't even bother because (1) you have no insurance, and (2) it sounds as if you have no assets. I have a friend who was hit by a DUI driver who HAD insurance, and there wasn't an attorney willing to look at it because they felt my friends injuriers were not worth it. So, for now let's forget about the lawsuit. She may take you to small claims court for damage to her car, or her insurer may come after you to reimburse them for whatever they pay. I would think in both cases a reasonable monthly payment can be set up....because after all you can not get blood out of a turnip as they say. Now, your bigger issue at this time is of course to do the immediate legal requirements on your license, insurance etc. You will in all probablility have to file an SR 22 (Financial Responsibility) because you had this happen without insurance. This is a filing with the State that requires you to maintain liability for three years. I doubt there is a way around it, but there will be some penalty as you are already aware of. Just go through this a step at a time, and stay out of the mall! Good Luck. I hope this helps some. Quit beating your self up, everyone is entitled to
a mistake, just come away a little wiser.