Legal Question in Insurance Law in California

his insurance company is trying to collect

Two years ago I was in a car accident. I was uninsured, and the police report found me at fault, though I was not cited because the stop sign I had run was hidden by a tree. Over the past few months, I have received three letters from the other driver's insurance company telling me to pay them $35,000. I ignored the letters, as they made no reference to legal action. Recently, I received a letter from a collection agency requiring me to pay the $35,000. This letter states that I have 30 days to dispute this claim. Do I owe them any money now, or do they have to sue me, to receive a judgment against me? At what point could they garnish my wages or reposses my car? I am a student with a very limited income, which means that I can't afford a lawyer, and also that I don't think it's worth their time to sue me. Do I need a lawyer to respond to the collection agency? Should I write disputing the claim? Please help, and thank you in advance.


Asked on 4/16/99, 6:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

Re: his insurance company is trying to collect

You or better yet an attorney should respond to the letter saying it is in dispute but say nothing more than that. They cannot take any property of yours unless they file a lawsuit and win.

Ken Koury

Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

5807 Topanga Cyn Blvd., Suite G-201


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Answered on 4/19/99, 11:34 pm


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