My son is being sued after a car accident

thenudeone

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Not my understanding. The son hit the car in front because he didn't leave enough room between them. The car he hit then hit the car in front of them -because they hadn't let enough room between them.

The middle car was able to stop in time. The only reason they hit the front car was because the car behind hit them and shunted the car forward. In practice the car in front's insurer might claim 100% from the middle car, then the middle car's insurer claims that plus their own costs from the car behind.

The driver of the car behind is 100% to blame for damage to both of the other cars. And their insurer will pay all of the costs, which they they are forced to do by law. That is what third party insurance is for.

Court papers are addressed to the driver because they are the person alleged to be responsible, but these papers should be forwarded to the insurer to deal with.

Unless the policy is one of the extremely unusual policies with an excess for third party claims, the insurer can't recover any costs from the policyholder provided the policy terms are complied with i.e. the insurer deals with the claim. Any attempt by the policyholder to manage the claim without involving the insurer could allow the insurer to recoup theirs costs from them.

System

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Not my understanding. The son hit the car in front because he didn't leave enough room between them. The car he hit then hit the car in front of them -because they hadn't let enough room between them.

How much room do you leave then?
You are hit by a run-away lorry on a hill and shunted half a mile before being pushed into another vehicle. Your fault for not leaving enough room?

enchated1

Thank you everyone.

We really did not understand any of the words on these papers.

Anyway, we have been in touch with my son's insurers who apologized and said that they didn't understand why the papers had been sent to him. They are fully aware of what's happening. So far they have paid £1800 and there is a further £700 still under dispute.

It's nothing to do with my son except that he had the accident. You're all correct it's all to do with the insurance company.

Once again thank you for your help and support - this is an amazing site :-)

terrylamps

Glad it's being sorted