If I was in an auto accident, is there anything that I can do?
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If I was in an auto accident, is there anything that I can do?
About 2 weeks ago, I was involved in an auto accident. The other person was driving his girlfriend’s car and decided to pull a U-turn while I had entered the median lane. He was sighted for an illegal U-turn and unknowingly driving with suspended license. My car was totaled. Is there legally anything that I can do?
Asked on February 4, 2019 under Accident Law, Florida
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
You can file a claim with the registered owner's insurance carrier for your property damage / loss of your vehicle. If you are dissatisfied with settlement offers from that insurance carrier, reject the settlement offers and file a lawsuit for negligence against the registered owner and at-fault driver.
If that insurance company denies your claim because the driver was not an authorized driver (not on the registered owner's insurance policy), your recourse is to sue the registered owner and driver for negligence. Your damages (monetary compensation you are seeking in your lawsuit) would be the value of your car. You can enforce a monetary judgment in your favor with a wage garnishment.
I assume you were not injured in the accident since you did not mention it.
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