to sue or not to sue

[Bettacreek]

If he ran the light, and hit you in the intersection, then common sense would say that you ran it as well. Two wrongs don't make a right. I've had to drive without insurance before. Hell, I was driving without inspection. Would you wish for me to be thrown in jail if we both ran the red light and beefed our cars up a bit and both ended up with minor injuries? I couldn't afford insurance, or to spend several hundred to get my car inspected. I couldn't afford to buy a new car, and there was no public transportation where I lived. Guess what, I HAD to work. I was pregnant and doing whatever I could to make sure that we had the rent paid, food in our bellies, etc, and, car insurance and an inspection just couldn't be fit into our budget. Does that mean that I'm a bad person? Did I LIKE driving like that, thinking that at any minute I could be tossed in jail or end up with a several hundred dollar fine that I would never be able to pay? Thankfully, my family is in a MUCH better situation, we bought a new car (06 even), it's up-to-date on inspection, emissions, insurance and even oil changes. But, we couldn't have done it if I hadn't driven that car illegally. I was VERY cautious when I drove, not only because I was watching out for our unborn son's life, but because I couldn't afford to get into an accident or get pulled over. What if this guy is in a similar situation? You can't bleed a rock, if you're fine, then why go after someone when, in fact, you were (also) to blame for the accident? Either you both ran the red light, or you weren't paying attention to opposing traffic. Either way, good luck with life and getting your car fixed.

[Somed00d]

Don't sue. he will likely counter sue and you will lose. It is clear cut in this case. You are supposed to make sure the cars are stopping before you turn. Just because the light went yellow doesn't mean you can just turn.

I hope your injuries are not too bad. It is an unfortunate situation but in this case you are better off not even trying to sue.

[shadi11]

her is my question, if he can't afford insurance what makes you think he can afford to pay you if you do win im not taking sides but i guess that is the only question. So either way you end up wasting time. If you think your going to take the house, just like everyone else right now he probably owes more than its worth on the open market right now.

[shiftto5]

jesus christ. does no one on here understand that i was asking for advice not to be fussed at by everyone and there mom! i completly undestand what every one is saying, and agree to all of your opions. but i did not start this thread to be attacked! so for those of you that acutally did give helpful advice in a kind manner thank you! and for those of you that didnt just picture yourslef in my shoes and think about it real hard. MOD PLEASE DELETE THIS THREAD.

[Somed00d]

i completly undestand what every one is saying, and agree to all of your opions. but i did not start this thread to be attacked!

Unless i missed something all these posts are pointing out the reality of the situation not attacking you personally.

[shiftto5]

Unless i missed something all these posts are pointing out the reality of the situation not attacking you personally.

If he ran the light, and hit you in the intersection, then common sense would say that you ran it as well. Two wrongs don't make a right. I've had to drive without insurance before. Hell, I was driving without inspection. Would you wish for me to be thrown in jail if we both ran the red light and beefed our cars up a bit and both ended up with minor injuries? I couldn't afford insurance, or to spend several hundred to get my car inspected. I couldn't afford to buy a new car, and there was no public transportation where I lived. Guess what, I HAD to work. I was pregnant and doing whatever I could to make sure that we had the rent paid, food in our bellies, etc, and, car insurance and an inspection just couldn't be fit into our budget. Does that mean that I'm a bad person? Did I LIKE driving like that, thinking that at any minute I could be tossed in jail or end up with a several hundred dollar fine that I would never be able to pay? Thankfully, my family is in a MUCH better situation, we bought a new car (06 even), it's up-to-date on inspection, emissions, insurance and even oil changes. But, we couldn't have done it if I hadn't driven that car illegally. I was VERY cautious when I drove, not only because I was watching out for our unborn son's life, but because I couldn't afford to get into an accident or get pulled over. What if this guy is in a similar situation? You can't bleed a rock, if you're fine, then why go after someone when, in fact, you were (also) to blame for the accident? Either you both ran the red light, or you weren't paying attention to opposing traffic. Either way, good luck with life and getting your car f
ixed.
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i personally consider this attacking me. ________________

[mainbutter]

shiftto5, he did not run the red light from what he's said. Making a left turn, he pulled into the intersection while it was green, and waited for opposing traffic to clear. The light turned red while he was waiting in the intersection, and he made a turn, at which point the other person involved in the collision ran the red light. He assumed that the guy was not going to run the red light. He was wrong, and things suck for him now. Should he have waited to make sure that oncoming traffic wasn't going to run the red? Yeah. But it's easy to trust other drivers. I have to remind myself every day that every other driver on the road is going to make dumb mistakes(or dumb purposeful choices) that put me and them at risk, and to watch attentively for them.

You bring up a good point about ability to pay for insurance, and needing transportation to work. It's a problem that just doesn't have a solution. It is absolutely 100% wrong to drive without insurance. But the way that many cities are, you have no way of getting to work without a car. Many people cannot afford car insurance, renters insurance, health insurance, gas, food, rent, and everything else they need to be safe, healthy, and responsible. Food and shelter come first, and it's quite concievable that people, even working multiple jobs and putting in overtime hours, can barely afford that.

Do I feel sorry for people in that position? Yeah totally. But if I got hit by someone and was seriously injured or my car was completely wrecked, I would be pissed beyond belief and not likely forgive them for a good long time. If I then found out they were driving without insurance, I would be furious beyond belief.

It sucks hard that people are in that position, but when somebody puts me at risk, my sympathy runs a little thin.

If someone with no insurance hits you, and your insurance company covers medical costs and car repairs, your premiums will skyrocket even if you were following the rules of the road.

[SarahMB]

What if he had to drive, to get to work? and couldn't afford it?

I agree with those who say an attorney should be consulted, not an internet forum, but I wanted to address this point.

Personal responsibility dictates that if one cannot afford the state law mandated insurance, one should make other arrangements for getting to work. Not being able to afford insurance means one can't afford to drive, not one should go ahead and drive without it.

[Broseph]

I agree 100%
they have all those companies offer state minimum coverage for cheap..

I agree with those who say an attorney should be consulted, not an internet forum, but I wanted to address this point.

Personal responsibility dictates that if one cannot afford the state law mandated insurance, one should make other arrangements for getting to work. Not being able to afford insurance means one can't afford to drive, not one should go ahead and drive without it.

[redpython]

you probably have no case. your best bet would be to watch your local television and find a lawyer that has some catchy tv ad and call em' up.