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akarimov
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:13 PM
Before I start, I am not asking for any legal advise, just wondering if anyone else was in the same situation.

A few years back, my dad who is a truck driver was in a minor accident in New Jersey. He backed into a parked car while parking. Damage was minor - basically a scratch. My father offered the guy $300 to fix it. The wanted to take it, but bunch of other people came out and told him not to. They insisted that police was called. When sheriff arrived he wrote up a police report.
My father presented company's insurance slip. He paid a monthly premium to the employer for that insurance.

A few months later, a letter comes to our address from the insurance company of the other guy, asking for insurance information. My dad took the letter to his boss, who said he will handle it. I am thinking they wanted us to supply our personal insurance information, because company's insurance policy # was in the police report.

Fastforward a year so, we get a letter from a law firm in CANADA acting on their behalf in states. Outstanding amount is $6500, which must be paid with 12 days. I ignored the scary letter, to see what their next move.

Twelve days go by and a courier shows up at my door looking for my dad. In her hands I see a stack of papers. I realized she is serving me with court papers. I told her that my dad does not live here anymore. She was very persistent about me taking the papers. I refused. She said that she will mail the papers. Its a been a week and it nothing in the mail.

I hate being caught up in american suing culture and how people will try everything to make money off people. Does anyone had any similar experience, and how did it go?

ishfish
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:19 PM
So did the company your dad worked for reach an agreement of payment? - and they did or did not pay it?

I am confused at this part - and why the large span of time? - (that must be a puzzle to you too).

Sounds like your dad needs to talk to the company he worked for to find out what is going on.

sylpherware
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:25 PM
Must be the emotional damage that scratch did to the other driver.

ishfish
Jun 21st, 2012, 07:31 PM
Must be the emotional damage that scratch did to the other driver.

Now it is a scar, not a scratch!

I wonder if they lost a claim with his work insurance and that is why they are looking at his personal insurance.

Syne
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:00 PM
If it's a few years old, I'd be very wary of acknowledging the accident at this point. I know there are limitations in the time frame for when you can legally sue someone for minor incidents such as this, and if it did indeed happen a few years ago, that timeframe may have come and gone.

Have your dad take advantage of the 30 minute consultation with a lawyer that the province provides. Be aware though, that some lawyers use this time for hard-selling rather than consulting. When I was helping someone out with a lawsuit, it took me 3 tries before I finally found a lawyer who was willing to actually help me over the phone and give legal advice. The other two just wanted me to come in and give them money.

To start, the number to call is 1-800-268-8326

akarimov
Jun 21st, 2012, 09:48 PM
I dont think my dads company got a payment, that's why they are going after my dad.

I will be meeting with a lawyer for a consultation, just wanted to get people take on this

ShopperfiendTO
Jun 22nd, 2012, 12:12 PM
If the accident happened while working legitimately, I don't know why your dad's work wouldn't cover it unless he's an owner-operator of the truck he drives.

I think your dad's next step is to follow up with his work.