Legal Question in Personal Injury in Pennsylvania

I was involved in a car accident almost two years ago in the state of Illinois, where i was responsible for the accident, and i had no liability insurance. I paid the fines to the state for both of those offenses, but still had my license suspended due to 'financial responsibility' (there were damages to the other vehicle that exceeded $700). I also paid the other driver's co-payment of $500 to get her car fixed, while her insurance company paid the remainder of it. She agreed not to sue, and had no other problems and asked nothing else of me. Her Insurance company, however won't leave me alone, wants me to pay the full amount they paid, and refuses to set up any sort of payment plan. I tried contacting the Illinois DMV for help, but they didn't offer me any information, and I now live out of state, making it even harder to try and fix all of this. My question is this: Am i required to pay her insurance company the amount they paid, in order to get my license back? Is there any other way to get it back?


Asked on 7/16/12, 12:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Greg Artim Morrow & Artim, P.C.

I cannot speak as to Illinois law, but here in PA if a judgment is obtained against you because of responsibility for a vehicle accident and you do not have enough insurance, your license is suspended until you pay in full, or, reach a settlement plan with the other side and they agree to restore your driving privileges (they do not have to, unless you pay in full). It sounds like the Illinois law is similar, though, you have not referenced as to whether the company sued you.

They are entitled to sue you under a theory of subrogation, where they stand in the shoes of their insured. The caveat here is that you reference "she agreed not to sue". Did she do this in writing? If so, you have an issue that you can raise to re-obtain your license, if she formally waived the right to sue you

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Answered on 7/16/12, 12:24 pm


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