Being sued after a car crash

Mr_P_5

Hi Guys,

I wonder if you could help as this is a new one on me!!?

A member of my family was involved in a car crash which was her fault and it went through her insurance and all sorted.. (or so we thought).

Yesterday however she received a letter through the post saying the driver was going to take her to court for nearly £25,000 for car hire!!! Firstly this seems extortionate but shouldn't this be sorted by the insurance company?

I haven't heard of this before and find it strange as insurance should cover everything but how can he come after her? As you can imagine she doesn't have that kind of money!

thanks in advance.

withabix

Just forward the letter to the insurance company and tell them to sort it out.

Mr_P_5

Thats what i thought.... i presume its just them trying it on to get more money???

fitshase

I had a similar thing a number of years ago. I phoned my insurance company and they said to send them all of the documentation and they'll deal with it. Some of the things the person was suing for was laughable.

neilmcl

It sounds to me like they've used a credit-hire co. and your insurer has initially refused to pay out on the exhorbitant car fee, therefore the third-party has no become liable. Agree, with the above pass it back on to you insurer.

spike7451

Same here,

Years ago I clipped the back side of the car in front of me when he braked because the car in front of him braked as a dog ran across the duel carriageway.I was driving a company van at the time.Apart from damage to his car (Another company car so he wasn't bothered) the was no damage to the other car,a Merc convertable driven by a woman.This was verified by the PSNI officer attending & the was a good 6 feet between cars,she also confirmed her car wasn't hit.

Months later I recieved much the same letter so I forwarded it on to the company insurers along with the officers details & heard nothing more back.

I reckon the woman in the car was trying it on.

victor2

As everyone says, pass it back to her insurers, assuming she has legal cover included. Do not respond to the letter in any way, despite what it may say.
I also had a similar thing after an accident which was my fault. The other party was claiming for whiplash injuries (what else?!) and lost earnings. Initially, I found it hard to take because it was such a low speed bump at a junction where no airbags were triggered and damage was light. I told my insurers and they said don't answer it, just forward it on to us. I did and heard no more.

Mr_P_5

Sounds a lot more common than i thought! will pass on the advice and let you know if it develops into anything more!!

TVR2

An that's why our insurance premiums are so high...