Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Arkansas

Automobile laws?

I was at red light and the light turned green, the truck in front of me started to go. When the person started to shift gears the truck jumped and stalled, leading to me bumping them. The person admited to the officer to the stalling of her vehicle. The passenger got out and looked at the truck and took off the tailgate, before the officer got there. The damage to my car was nothing but three marks of paint, no dent or breakage. The truck in front had the bumper curved under. But I do not see how that much damage was done, because my airbag never went off. Also the officer estimated damage to the truck as being around $800-1,000; just for the bumper. He figured that was caused by my vehicle. Well I received a estimate from the people stating $2,000.00, they are making me replace the whole bed and tailgate, and the bumper. I understand the bumper if I had done that damage, but the tailgate and bed! They are stating that the tailgate was down, but no paint or dent on my hood of my car. Please let me know if I have to pay for this even though they admitted to it being there fault.


Asked on 9/14/00, 4:45 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: Automobile laws?

You are liable for the damage you caused. If you did not cause all the damage, then you have a defense on that basis. I assume you had pictures of your car and their truck? If not, you should get them.

Your insurer should handle this and should leave you out of it. If you are not insured, then you should hire an attorney to defend you right away if they are indeed thinking of filing a lawsuit.

Good luck

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Answered on 10/17/00, 9:34 am


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