Um, lawsuit after car accident?

[Bernadine]

Well, shit. I rear ended someone three years ago, and they’re filing suit against me. I’m supposed to let my insurance company know when/if I’m served and they will handle defense for me. Do I need my own lawyer?

[scout8]

You shouldn't. Your insurance policy should provide you with a duty to defend which means they will provide you with an attorney. Good luck.

[mpm]

Send to your insurance company asap. You may or may not need your own attorney.

[archiethedragon]

I was sued 2 years to the day after I rearended someone in a very low speed accident. 2 years is the statute of limitations in my state. The insurance company handled everything but it took another 3 years for them to settle with the guy that sued me.

[bronxgirl]

I don't have any advice, but I'm sorry that happenned to you.

[MDmomof2]

Not a lawyer, but it's my understanding that you wouldn't need your own lawyer unless the party was suing for more than your policy covers, ie that you'd be on the hook for any damages above your policy limit.

[wise_rita]

Legit question: what if OP had switched insurance in the intervening time?

[mpm]

Apr 17, 2023 13:13:02 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Legit question: what if OP had switched insurance in the intervening time?

It would be the insurer for the policy period that covered the accident.

[Leeham Rimes]

You shouldn’t need your own attorney. Just don’t talk to anyone else about anything, send everything to your insurance company asap and always respond to their mail/email. Failure to cooperate (which I don’t think you’ll do) can allow them to drop their representation of you.

[pandora89]

Nope you do not need your own lawyer. Send everything to your insurance company at the time of the accident and they will handle it.

[stemmie]

You shouldn't need your own attorney.

My mom's insurance company handled everything. They were great. That said, we're in PA and she has full-tort coverage. Unless injuries were catastrophic, these often settle out of court they said.

[pinkdutchtulips]

If you're sued, let your carrier know. They should provide an attorney for you either in-house or panel counsel with an outside firm. 

[calamity]

Insurance company will handle everything.

[fn2187]

Ugh. Sorry. Just curious, are they claiming injury as the reason? Seems like a long time to wait.

I just got hit (rear) and the guy was so nice and felt so bad that I just let him off the hook. I don’t want to repair the car and can care less (made sure all doors open ok). I never saw someone so grateful as he was. I hate that suing is a gut reaction to so many.

[mofongo]

Apr 19, 2023 18:11:17 GMT -5 fn2187 said:

Ugh. Sorry. Just curious, are they claiming injury as the reason? Seems like a long time to wait.

I just got hit (rear) and the guy was so nice and felt so bad that I just let him off the hook. I don’t want to repair the car and can care less (made sure all doors open ok). I never saw someone so grateful as he was. I hate that suing is a gut reaction to so many.

Why don’t you want to repair it??

[laurack]

Apr 19, 2023 18:11:17 GMT -5 fn2187 said:

Ugh. Sorry. Just curious, are they claiming injury as the reason? Seems like a long time to wait.

I just got hit (rear) and the guy was so nice and felt so bad that I just let him off the hook. I don’t want to repair the car and can care less (made sure all doors open ok). I never saw someone so grateful as he was. I hate that suing is a gut reaction to so many.

Stop being weird.