is it normal for the other party to sue through a lawyer in scenarios like this? what other options do I have to deal with this situation? or do I just have to wait to see how it settles?
I (at fault) rear ended a car. they have expired license. My insurance (AAA) just told me that they are getting sued by the other drivers lawyer. What can I expect?
byu/That-Development7101 inInsurance
Posted by That-Development7101
3 Comments
If the other person is hurt, sure. Hiring an injury lawyer is reasonably common. The fact that they had an expired license isn’t likely to affect things at all. You rear ended them. You’re responsible for their vehicle damages and any injuries they may have suffered. Your insurance will have a duty to defend you in a lawsuit. So let them do it. All you can do is wait for it to be settled or decided in court. Follow up with your adjuster if you need updates.
AAA isn’t getting sued. You, as the driver, would be getting sued, if anyone. AAA likely heard about the attorneys intent to file a complaint (lawsuit) through attempts to negotiate a settlement for bodily injury, but you would be the one who would be served the summons/complaint. That process often is someone coming to your home and handing you documents after confirming your identity (some states allow suit papers to be left at your door, but most need you to physically be given them).
From there, you provide copies of those documents to AAA for them to assign the appropriate adjuster, who will in turn get a defense attorney to assist in the litigation process on your behalf, at no cost to you.
The biggest thing is staying available to your adjuster and cooperating with them. You won’t be dealing with the other person’s attorney or insurance at this point.
You’re at fault. So the lawsuit is on you. Them having an expired license has 0 affect on anything, however that is a separate issue where they will be cited or paper arrested for it. But for this accident they are suing you. Your insurance is there to provide $$$ so you can be represented and work it out. However it comes down to how much coverage you have. So if you have 20K then your agent will provide a lawyer out of that and the cost of repairs/medical for the person you hit. Any penny over 20K for the final results will be on you to pay.