Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Automobile accident and isurance coverage

The person in front of me braked suddenly because the person in front of her also braked suddenly. Due to this, the front corner of my car bumper caught the rear conner of hers. While assessing the damage and exchanging information, she said she thought the bumper could be buffed out and that her husband was a car dealer so she would have him look at it. The was no visible damage to either car other than some scrapes that she and I observed. The next day she tells me that her husband says the bumper is "tweaked" and that she herself had to look at it 4 times before she could see it. She then quoted me a price of $640 to have the bumper replaced and $450 to have it repaired. We are in the state of California and while I was insured at the time of the accident, I have since canceled the policy. Was this wrong of me to do? Am I the person at fault? Can she still sue the insurance company if I am no longer a policy holder? What rights do I have to protect me from her?


Asked on 10/20/99, 10:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Hayes The John Hayes Law Offices

Re: Automobile accident and isurance coverage

If you were insured at the time of the accident than your insurance company will cover the accident. I would give them a call immediately and explain the situation to them. Just because you no longer have a policy doesn't mean you weren't covered at the time of the accident. I hope that since you have canceled the policy you have a new one. Not only is it illegal in California to drive without insurance, if you were to get into an accident you could make no claim for pain and suffering only medical bills and lost time from work. Good luck with the insurance company.

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Answered on 10/22/99, 5:55 pm


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