Law Suit Advice
Jul 1st 2019, 12:44 am
#1
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Law Suit Advice
Hey,
I’m reaching out to any UK expats living in the USA, I have found myself in a sticky situation where a law suit has been filed against me and the cost exceeds my insurance coverage. I’ve been advised I’m personally liable to pay the amount over and above my coverage.
If if anyone has any helpful advice I’d appreciate the assistance.
thank you in advance
I’m reaching out to any UK expats living in the USA, I have found myself in a sticky situation where a law suit has been filed against me and the cost exceeds my insurance coverage. I’ve been advised I’m personally liable to pay the amount over and above my coverage.
If if anyone has any helpful advice I’d appreciate the assistance.
thank you in advance
Jul 1st 2019, 12:57 am
#2
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Law Suit Advice
What State? What kind of Law suit? What kind of insurance? Guessing car crash, but maybe medical expense? Not that I have any experience either way, but others might.
Jul 1st 2019, 2:20 am
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Law Suit Advice
I would assume Auto.
What can we do?
What can we do?
Jul 1st 2019, 2:41 am
#4
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Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Law Suit Advice
Get an attorney.
Jul 1st 2019, 3:00 am
#5
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Law Suit Advice
Get a lawyer, if you can't afford one, well maybe there are student layers or paralegals that can assist you.
Jul 1st 2019, 3:26 am
#6
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Law Suit Advice
Most lawyers as far as i can tell will take a case for free and just take a chunk of whatever settlement, but in this case we do not know any circumstances.
Jul 1st 2019, 4:45 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Law Suit Advice
... if the case is won by the plaintiff. Time to get a good lawyer to fight the case. Even if you lose maybe the court will award less than what is being asked for. Or maybe a lawyer can negotiate a settlement with the other side before it even goes to court.
Last edited by Giantaxe; Jul 1st 2019 at 4:49 am.
Jul 1st 2019, 5:20 am
#8
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Law Suit Advice
Well, we know that the OP appears to be the defendant in a law suit so, unless an attorney can figure out a basis for filing a counter suit against the other party, there isn't going to be any "settlement" from which the OP's attorney could be paid on contingency.
Jul 1st 2019, 10:23 am
#9
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Law Suit Advice
If the insurance company has not already referred your case to a local attorney, you need to retain one ASAP. Not only are you personally liable for damages awarded above the level of insurance, they can and will come after your assets as a result in any judgement.
Jul 1st 2019, 11:30 am
#10
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,134
Re: Law Suit Advice
I agree with others. get a lawyer to act on your behalf.
No help to the OP but, more generally, this is why it is appropriate to take out umbrella insurance.
No help to the OP but, more generally, this is why it is appropriate to take out umbrella insurance.
Jul 1st 2019, 3:58 pm
#11
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Jul 1st 2019, 5:02 pm
#12
You aint seen me, right?
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: US of A, TN
Posts: 3,573
Re: Law Suit Advice
Is your insurance company going to just pay out or fight the amount?
Jul 1st 2019, 5:50 pm
#13
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: Law Suit Advice
Of course, the best place to go to get advice on a procedure that could potentially leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars is an anonymous forum on the internet!
The ONLY advice you should take from here is GET YOURSELF A LAWYER!
The ONLY advice you should take from here is GET YOURSELF A LAWYER!
Jul 1st 2019, 6:05 pm
#14
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Law Suit Advice
If this is an auto accident and you have good insurance say 300,000-500,000 is not the insurance company going to fight hard to limit the amount they have to pay on your behalf? If they are willing to concede your liability and pay the max amount then your case doesn’t look good and a good lawyer is more important than ever.
Jul 1st 2019, 11:46 pm
#15
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Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 455
Re: Law Suit Advice
I only went with state minimum when I first moved here, which was a mistake that I swiftly rectified as soon as the implications of that were pointed out to me!