I was in an automobile accident, seemed limited with little damage. Yet, the other party have hired a lawyer and my bodily injury liability is 15k/30k per incident. If the other party wants to come after my assets, are there any protected such as 401k, current auto, etc. What is the best way to protect myself? I'll probably get a lawyer soon but thought I'd ask here to get a sense of what I'm up against.
Thanks for any advice from someone who might have been through similar.
2007-10-09 08:26:48 · 3 answers · asked by Phiops 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If your total bodily injury damages exceed your limit of $15,000 with those limits, than any asset held in your name could conceiveably be in play, provided you were at-fault. Your insurance covers the first $15K, and you would be liable for damages in excess of that amount. The tenacity that they come after your personal assets would be directly related to two factors:
1. How much damages were done. (They would be more inclined to vigourously go after you if you caused $100,000 in damages than if you caused $15,500.)
2. Provided the damages were extensive, they would look at what assets you could have to cover those damages. Houses, jewelry, savings accounts (though 401k falls further down the list since it's a pre-tax holding), and wages could all be liened against if enough damage was done to the other person and you were at fault.
If you weren't at fault, then you don't have to worry because you can't be held legally liable for something you didn't cause. Lawyers go after deep pockets and if you are a person of normal means, they tend not to be as viscious as a rich person or a corporation. Good luck. If you're like most of us and don't have accidents often, purchasing higher limits of insurance is practically always worth the extra few dollars in premium.
2007-10-09 08:41:03 · answer #1 · answered by raskal66 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not a corporation, none of your assets are protected. See a lawyer.
2007-10-09 15:32:23 · answer #2 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a lawyer before settling! my mom is about to settle with the lawyer it take s a month he said for her.
2007-10-09 15:29:05 · answer #3 · answered by ChuckDeucez 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋