Call anytime: 661-414-7100 or text 661-249-9990
Santa Clarita Car Accident Attorneys - Call (661) 414-7100
  • Home
  • About
    • Client Reviews
    • Fees and Policies
  • Cases We Handle
    • Car Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Brain Injury Cases
    • Wrongful Death
    • Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Estate Planning
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Library
    • FAQ
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
  • Contact
    • ZOOM VIDEO
  • Home
  • About
    • Client Reviews
    • Fees and Policies
  • Cases We Handle
    • Car Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Brain Injury Cases
    • Wrongful Death
    • Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Estate Planning
  • Resources
    • Videos
    • Blog
    • Library
    • FAQ
  • FREE CASE EVALUATION
  • Contact
    • ZOOM VIDEO

Law Office of Robert Mansour

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get sued after a car accident?

1/22/2017

 
Every so often, we get a call at our office from a person who was involved in a car accident months earlier, and then they get something in the mail from the other party.  They are usually surprised because they thought the car accident was ancient history.  Sometimes, it's a letter from an attorney who represents the other party and sometimes, it's a formal lawsuit.  In most cases, the other party is alleging injury from the accident.  Needless to say, this can cause great distress for most people, so here are some things to keep in mind if this happens to you.  

First, you should know that a personal injury lawyer is not the person to call in a situation like this.  You see, a personal injury lawyer represents people who have been injured in an accident and who are bringing a claim for those injuries.  Now, if you are on the receiving end of the claim, then a personal injury lawyer is not going to be able to represent you.  However, a personal injury attorney will often be happy to offer you some advice.

Next, you need to determine what exactly you received from the other party.  Sometimes, people get a letter from the other party's lawyer and assume it must be a lawsuit.  If you get a letter in the mail, you should realize that is not a lawsuit - it's only a letter.   That being said, you should not ignore the letter.  Contact your own insurance company or your insurance broker and let them know about the letter.  Then send them a copy of the letter via fax, mail, email, or all three.  If you send by email, make sure you get a confirmation from your insurance company that they received what you sent them.  If you send by fax, print out the confirmation that indicates the fax was indeed sent and received.  

Third, you may get served with an actual lawsuit.  If this is the case, you will receive a packet of materials.  It won't be a simple letter.  You will probably see what appears to be lots of court forms stamped by the court.  This is known as the "complaint" that was filed against you by the other party.  All lawsuits start with the filing of a "complaint."  This document makes general allegations, and most are form documents.  There may be other papers in this packet you receive.  

Once filed with the court, the complaint needs to be "served" upon the other party (you in this case).  This "service" of the paperwork can be accomplished in several ways.  Usually, an individual is served by a "process server" - a person who walks up to you and asks you if you are "Mr. Smith" and then hands you all the documents.   Then this process server will file proof with the court that he/she served you.  You then have a limited amount of time to file an "answer" to the complaint with the court.  If you don't "answer" the complaint, the other party can petition the court to enter a judgment against you.  Basically, if you don't answer, it's like forfeiting the "game."

Sometimes, you will get the paperwork in the mail.  If so, you haven't technically been served properly but that doesn't mean you should ignore the materials you received.  If you are served by mail, or personally served by a process server, you should contact your insurance company and/or your insurance broker and make them aware immediately.  Send them a copy of everything you received.  Your insurance company will then usually hire a lawyer to represent you and defend you against this lawsuit.  You don't have to pay this lawyer.  The insurance company is paying them.  The premiums you pay your insurance company cover the cost of defense if you've been sued.  Some of these defense attorneys work for outside defense firms, and some are in-house with your insurance company (that's what I used to do before I opened my own practice years ago).   This attorney will file an answer on your behalf.  The lawsuit can last months or years.  Make sure you cooperate with your assigned defense lawyer and your insurance company.  It is not only in your best interests to cooperate, but you are often contractually obligated to do so.

Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Alternative Dispute Resolution
    Attorneys
    Basic Speed Law
    Brain Injury
    Car Rental
    Case Value
    Claims Adjusters
    Comparative Negligence
    Damages
    Defendant
    Depositions
    Doctors
    Ear Injuries
    Fractured Patella
    Health Care
    Health Insurance
    Hearing Loss
    Injuries
    Insurance Adjusters
    Insurance Companies
    Knee Injuries
    Lawsuits
    Medical Expenses
    Medical Treatment
    Meeting With Your Attorney
    Personal Injury
    Police Reports
    Property Damage
    Proposition 213
    Punitive Damages
    Settlement
    Shoulder Injury
    Speed Limit
    Statute Of Limitations
    Value Of Case

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    July 2021
    April 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    by Robert Mansour

    Robert Mansour is a personal injury lawyer serving Santa Clarita, Valencia,
    Saugus, Canyon Country, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic and surrounding
    communities.

 Home | Attorney Profile | Practice Areas | Client Reviews | Personal Injury Blog | Personal Injury Library | FAQ 
 Videos | Directions | Google Maps | Disclaimer | Contact Us

Visit our Google Business Page | Like Us on Facebook | Our Yahoo! Business Listing | Follow Us on Twitter  
Linked In Profile | Please give us a great review on Yelp | Our YouTube Channel | BrandYourself Profile
FAQ RSS Feed |  Blog RSS Feed | Library RSS Feed | Our Bing Local Business Listing | Cornell University Listing

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  By appointment.  If you are trying to reach us after hours or on the weekends, the best way is to use the form on the "Contact" page or simply send an email to info@valencialawyer.com

* The information on this website does not create an attorney/client relationship.  It is not legal advice and is presented for general informational purposes only.  Always consult with a professional when handling legal matters as the law is constantly changing.

Law Office of Robert M. Mansour, 28212 Kelly Johnson Pkwy #110, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 (661) 414-7100
Picture