Should I Sue a Friend or Family Member for an Accident They Caused?
Car accidents happen and when they do, consequences can be severe. Injuries may have occurred, and if the negligence of another person caused the accident, you have the legal right to file a personal injury claim. This may include suing a friend or family member. Many people wish to avoid this out of fear the other party will take it personally. That should not prevent you from obtaining the compensation you need to cover medical bills.
If you need to file a personal injury claim in Orlando, you will need a skilled attorney’s assistance. At The Umansky Law Firm, our lawyers know how to handle these delicate cases and can work with you to better understand your legal rights.
Misconceptions about Suing a Friend
There are many misconceptions about filing a personal injury claim against a friend. The only party who benefits from these myths are the insurance companies. The truth is no one wants to take a case to court. In fact, attorneys settle a majority of cases outside of the courtroom.
Here are a few things to remember when filing a claim against a friend or family member.
Your Friend Does Not Have to Pay the Settlement
The money for your settlement will come from your friend or family member’s insurance policy. They pay premiums every month in case something like this happens. Filing a claim might not cost the other party anything.
The Other Party Will Pay for a Lawyer
By law, the other party’s insurance company must defend their policyholders against claims. While your friend might need a lawyer, their insurance company should provide one free of charge.
Suing Will Raise Their Insurance Rates
Insurance companies have the right to raise premiums if the driver is responsible for a chargeable accident, such as a car collision. Insurers can do this with or without the victim filing a claim.
What to Consider Before Suing a Family Member
Most auto insurance policies cover the primary holder and the family members who live with them. This means you will not have to file a lawsuit against the driver if you live in the same household since you are on the policy.
However, there could be an instance where the driver does not live in the house, and you may have to sue a parent, adult child, or sibling. Similar to suing a friend, there is an impression that filing a claim against a family member is inappropriate. Remember, you are not asking them to pay for your damages. Instead, you are using the benefits they already pay for to cover medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney in Central Florida about Your Accident Today
Pursuing a claim against someone you care about does not make you a bad person and it is not unethical. It just means you are a person who needs compensation to cover accident-related expenses and it is not personal. A family member or true friend does not want to see you in pain over injuries they caused. Sometimes collecting compensation from their insurance company is the only way to obtain the funds you deserve after an accident.
While the other party may not have an issue with you filing a personal injury claim, their insurance company will do everything possible to reduce or deny a settlement. This may include employing sneaky tactics, such as turning your friend against you or pinning the accident on you. Do not risk financial compensation. Contact the car accident lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm today by calling our office, or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
