Car Accident - didn't hear anything now being taken to small claims court

singingsister

I had a bump with another vehicle in November last year where she was doing a 3 point turn and I was reversing and she hit the side of my vehicle and took her numberplate off. There was no other visible damage.

We exchanged details, I heard nothing and now she's taking me to a small claims court for £1000!

For a numberplate!

There was NO damage on my car.

What do I do? I obviously claim it was 50/50 as we were both doing manouvers and now I've had a letter from the small claims court.

I completely forgot to call my insurer, topped off with severe mental health issues I am recieving treatment for I thought that my insurer would contact me saying they'd been notified I'd had an accident and then I would have dealt with it.

However that didn't happen so I figured she'd done nothing about it and I didn't have any damage on the car.

I'm sitting here shaking. I don't have a thousand pounds to give her and there is no way in hell I could cope with having to go to court.

What do I do?

Quentin

You now need to pass the court correspondence unanswered on to the insurer you were with last November at the time of the incident.


They will deal with this for you


Hopefully this won't end up in court and will be settled without any need for you to attend, but if you did, then this is an informal county court matter not the magistrates/crown court you may be thinking of!

singingsister

Even though I didn't call up and report the accident myself?

I can't stop shaking.

Quentin

Yes - you say you didn't report it due to severe mental health issues which you can tell them if they ask why you never reported it.


Don't attempt to deal with this yourself!

Alice_Walker

Quentin wrote: »

Yes - you say you didn't report it due to severe mental health issues which you can tell them if they ask why you never reported it.


Don't attempt to deal with this yourself!

If OP claims she was not able to report the accident due to mental health issues I'd expect the insurer to enquire as to how this affects her ability to drive, and quite rightly too. OP might want to think about how she would handle such a question if it arises.

singingsister

Quentin thank you

I have called my insurer and they have asked me to scan in the paperwork and they'll deal with it.

I'm feeling a bit calmer now but still reeling.

Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it.

singingsister

Alice_Walker wrote: »

If OP claims she was not able to report the accident due to mental health issues I'd expect the insurer to enquire as to how this affects her ability to drive, and quite rightly too. OP might want to think about how she would handle such a question if it arises.

I don't have any problems driving, I do however have problems making phone calls.

Quentin

singingsister wrote: »

I have called my insurer and they have asked me to scan in the paperwork and they'll deal with it.

Do it straightaway this afternoon.

(There are strict deadlines for dealing with court papers)

If you haven't heard back from your insurer by the middle of next week contact them to make sure they got the correspondence, and that it is being dealt with.