Hey guys first off, I know this isn't legal advice etc.. but just wondering if anyone can lead me to the right direction.
My mother got into a car accident last August, she lightly crashed/scratched into the back of someone bumper, nothing serious, everyone is fine. I can't find the accident photos of the other car….
Scenario: Mother was waiting to turn right at an intersection, giving way to oncoming traffic. She misread her distance and slightly bumped and scratched the incoming car's back bumper.
Here is the photo of my mother's driver side, as you can see it's a very light scratch, not even cracked and no dents. The bumper is still in-tact, nothing to cry over.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Both parties exchanged details, mother put in a claim a few days later with her insurance, car is insured under third party, some gentleman called my mother from the other driver's insurance, she gave the claim number. No communication from anyone since then.
Today she got a letter in the mail from the plaintiff, 'statement of claim', from court: 'local court of NSW' and wishing to claim $28k worth of items. For example, the defendant claims they needed to hire a car for $450 a day for 48 days.
She forgot all about the accident assuming it's all taken care of until she got the letter today, told her to call insurance ASAP and get an update.
To me it was a simple insurance claim, typical scenario of person A hit person b, no one injured. My mother can't find the pictures of her car but the scratches on her back bumper did NOT dent, crack or even displace the bumper, it was light scratches as well, most likely needed to be scuffed out and repainted…..
Few notes:
- The other driver only sent their DL photo to my mother
- Police was not called to the scene
- The other driver drove off, no tow truck was called
- My mother said she took at least 6 pictures of the other car but I can't find them in her phone :( But she said the damage on the other car was scratches only.
My POV:
- I honestly don't understand the legal proceedings wanting to claim $28k worth of items from my mother, especially when their car had light scratches like my mother's car.
- I don't understand the defendant needed a hire car for 48 days? Especially at $450 per day, when her car was perfectly fine at the scene and she drove off.
- Speculation and assumption: Insurance would have all the details of repair and if they needed to get a hire car. But that's information for later on when my mother calls insurance to get all the details.
I would like to get other people's perspective.
Next steps: Told my mother to call insurance on an update and tell them about the letter.
Edit: Told my mother to speak with insurance and tell them about the letter, and they can deal with it.
Edit 2: it's with insurance now, they're looking into it
send the letter to your insurance /thread