can they sue me?

Question

if i was involved in a car accident and they said i was at fault, can the other party sue me personally? cuz i thought that was why u have insurance? isnt the insurance company supposed to deal with all the legal stuff?

Answer 1

Sort of. The insurance company protects your interests UP TO the limits of the policy while doing everything it can to keep it out of court. Sometimes the other party involved is an a** and will proceed to court. YES you can be sued because YOU are the tortfeasor, not the insurance company, and if you loose, your insurance only pays UP TO the policy limits and you are responsible for any excess judgement assuming there is one. So if your limits are $50K and the judgement is $75K...insurance pays $50K and YOU pay $25K.

Answer 2

It depends on the state you live in and the type of policy you purchase. In NJ, you can purchase limited-tort or full-tort insurance. Limited tort insurance means the insurance company will sue the other party for damages and your medical bills, and you have waived your right to sue anyone else for any reason. Full-tort coverage gives you the right to go sue-happy, but you'll pay a TON more in premium. Let the insurance company figure out what the other person has and give them ANYTHING you receive from any lawer about your case.

Answer 3

Yes, your insurance company will cover you and represent you up to the limits of your coverage.
For instance, in my state CO, the state minimum coverage is $25,000/50,000 for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage. If you had these coverages, the insurance company will take care of the first $25,000 of injury per person, up to $50,000 per occurrence. They will also pay up to $15,000 in property damage. If you caused $35,000 in damage, than you would personally be responsible for the remaining $20,000. Meaning that the other party or their insurance company would sue you for the $20,000.
If the accident wasn't substantial, then you probably have nothing to worry about. But now is a good time to review your coverages with your agent to make sure you have enough for anything else in the future.

Answer 4

Yes, and yes. Yes they can sue you as an individual, and probably prevail if the accident was your fault, and cost them more than the upper limit on your coverage. And yes, your insurance company should supply you with legal advice and an attorney to represent you if and when it gets to a hearing.

Answer 5

You bet they can sue you personally, for everything you've got plus your future earnings, and more.

Whether they'll win is another matter. Many cases are settled by the injured party or parties accepting the entire amount your insurer is willing to pay out.

But when there's been a death, a serious injury with life-altering effects, or extensive property damage, your insured amount may not begin to cover it. That's when you may be sued.

Your insurance company may provide an attorney for the suit, but they're covering *their* interests, not yours. You would be wise to hire your own attorney.

Answer 6

They can only sue you. That is why you have liability insurance. To cover you in case you are sued and found liable. In all likelyhood though you would not have to do anything other than let your insurance company know that you are being sued. They will likely settle out of court.

Answer 7

if the insurance doesn't pay all that they need they can .call a lawyer to be sure, consultations are free

Answer 8

dont say a word to anyone but YOUR ins co...let them do it all...thats y you pay them...dont worry...thousands of wrecks everyday...you ins co knows what to do...