can I be forced to pay for damages to another car
A taxi made a sudden stop, the car immediately behind the tax managed to stop, but it was on a curve and I did not manage to stop on time and could not drive to the side of the road as people who got of the taxi were on the side of the road. I crashed into the car from behind, I am not insured. The insurance of the damaged car is trying to recover cost from me. can they legally force me to pay? How do I get out of this?
Category: Civil Matters, Damages
Region: South Africa, Gauteng
1 Answer
Write them a polite letter disputing that you were negligent. State that the cause of the accident was the taxi driver who suddenly braked. The circumstances were such that you had no alternative but to hit the car in front of you. Then ignore them.
The purpose of third party insurance for which premiums are paid is to cover situations like yours. But insurance companies try to mitigate their loss or maximise their profits by trying to recover from the third party. Third party accidents are factored into their calculations and therefore rarely do they pursue the matter further if you resist.
Only get a lawyer to resist if it becomes absolutely necessary. Regards.