QuestionI was involved in car crash 3 years back in Florida . I feel very bad abt it . Unfortunately i didn't carry Bodily Injury coverage . After 3yrs now i received a call from the other party 's Insurance company to pay the med bills . Its big amount , I can't afford it .
Here i am looking for help in finding some answers from experts like you.
1. how to deal and proceed with this. Is there any way that i can request them to reduce the amount by 50 % . Can i expcet any details for the amount they are claiming for
2. why for 3 years they were silent , now they just called me on my cell phone . I asked them why didn't they send me notices all these years, they said that they sent 3 notices. I was in florida till May 2006 . The incident happend in Feb 2005 . In May 2006 I moved to PA state by forwarding my address at post office , post office did forwarded all mail for 1 year i .e from 2006 may to 2007 may . I didn't received any letter from any of insurance company ( mine and other party's) till may 2007 .
3 . How long this wud be valid . can they come to me after 3 years ?
4. I didn't had any document reg this now . ( like the initial insurance papers signed , police report , etc ) How can i obtain the related copies.
Appreciate your help and thanks in advance for answering these questions .
AnswerHi Rav,
Yes, you can ask the insurance company to settle the claim for a compromised the amount. They will probably enter into an agreement to allow you to make interest free payments. Keep in mind that if you enter into and sign a settlement agreement, and then default on your payment plan, they will have the right to have your drivers license suspended.
You need to secure details from to learn if this amount is for medical payment only or if it includes a bodily injury settlement made from the uninsured motorist coverage to the injured party.
If you don't work with them to reach a settlement, they will eventually turn everything over to a collection agency. If the collection agency takes you to court, you also become liable for all their attorney fees (plus your own).
They would not have sent you their first billing until several months after the injured party had recovered and they were positive that they had received and paid all outstanding medical bills.
If you don't pay the insurance company and they turn it over to a collection agency which takes you to court and the court issues a judgment in their favor, this judgement can be collected any time during your lifetime or from your estate after you are deceased (with interest). During your lifetime, they can garnish your wages and attach property that you own.
You can ask the adverse insurance company or your old insurance company for copies of the police report and accident related insurance documents.
If the amount that you are being billed for now is only for the amount paid out in medical bills and does not include an injury settlement paid to the injured party from the underinsured motorists coverage, this is not the end.
Under Florida law, the injured party has up to 4 years to file a lawsuit against you for pain & suffering in the Florida courts. You will also be responsible for any amount granted by the court and will later receive demands from the injured party's attorney.
I hope this information has been of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area
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