Car Accident - Summons

[lackie]

Last October my husband had a bump in the car. We informed his insurance and sorted all the paperwork etc. Out of the blue 2 weeks ago he received a letter telling him he will receive a summons to appear in court regarding the accident. We are in our late 70s and have never ever had this sort of experience before. We sent the letter to the insurance company and not hearing from them he phoned them after a week to ask what was happening . He was assured that everything was paid and settled. This morning he received a summons to appear in court. (The insurance states free legal advice). We really really do not want to go to court. Please someone give us advice.

[lackie]

It's an official document - the stamp must have ran out of ink regarding the e. Have looked at the court website and they do deal with money claims - it is the High Court and Family Court. Will definitely ring them on Monday with the number quoted on the form, as well as the claims department. Feel really shaken by all this - wish we didn't have to wait till Monday.

[gness]

I see now thank you......but as others have said.....don't give your bank details.....and please try not to over worry. Hard I know, but dealing with this for you is what your insurance company is paid for...by you......☺

[New Judge]

Actually, lackie, reading the recent posts it seems a distict possibility that this is some sort of scam (an aspect that had not crossed my mind earlier).

Before you contact your insurers make some enquiries about the origin of these papers. Do they include an address or phone number for you to contact? You say that the summons is for the "family court". Family courts are a branch of the Magistrates' Court. They mainly deal with child custody and contact matters; they do NOT deal with matters such as this. The County Court does (and for an amount of £1,200 it would be the small claims division for which summonses are not issued).

The so-called "servic" date (three days hence!), the suggestion that it will be the Family Court and the lack of any proper details about the hearing makes it smell very dodgy indeed.

Proceed with the utmost caution. Until you are sure of the origin of these papers do not part with any personal information or bank details. Part with absolutely nothing and get your insurers involved at the first opportunity.

[Cloverjo]

I agree this sounds dodgy. Could it be the other people involved in the accident trying to frighten you with the threat of court, and they might ask for more money later?
If your insurance company says it's all paid and settled, nothing else needs to happen. You don't get taken to court - especially not a family court - for a bump in a car. Phone the court on Monday, just for your peace of mind, but othrwise try not to worry.

[bhg481]

NJ - I'd be very wary of using a telephone number that was quoted on the form; surely better to compare that number with one in the telephone directory?

[New Judge]

Yes, good thinking bhg. Compare the numbers, lackie. What is the Court's web address you have been given?

The High Court does have a Family Division. However, a debt of £1,200 (if indeed it is genuine debt and especially as, at this stage, it has not been disputed) would not be dealt with in the High Court. They have bigger fish to fry. Talking of fish - that's exactly what this smells of.

[gness]

I hope Lackie looks in for this further advice, NJ......it really does seem odd to me.....x

[TonyV]

Think all the just answers may be right just chill tomorrow and contact your own insurers on Monday morning and ask them to get it sorted. Also for your own piece of mind take a copy of documents and send them 1st class by post (recorded or signed for) with a covering letter to your insurer. As your car did not need any repairs how can theirs have been so damaged?

[TonyV]

This must have been something I heard about
https://www.insurancefraudbureau.org

[EDDIE51]

I have to say I agree that this is a scam . The court would NOT ask for bank details.Someone is after your bank details so that they can clean out your account. If there is a CAB near by take all the papers to them on Monday morning. They will be able to help you if it is a scam they will find out, if it is real they will sort the case out for you. I add to the others , this CAN NOT be due from you, IF there is a case for a payment it is your insurer who has to pay NOT you! If there is no CAB near, take the papers to the nearest police station and report them as a suspected scam!

[Peter Pedant]

It is odd....
I agree

I think it is worth a visit to a CAB and have someone read the papers.
and tell us what happens

[EDDIE51]

A summons to appear in court MUST give you the date and time you have to appear and the address of the court. If it does not have this it is a scam! If it does have the court address then look up the court's phone number on-line or by looking in the phone directory DO NOT!! use a phone number on the letter , that will be part of the scam!

[THECORBYLOON]

Have you had a look for the 'phone number on Google? It might be worth having a word with your local police to-morrow to see if they can shed any light on the letter's authenticity and take any action if appropriate.

[Peter Pedant]

I mean the moral of this story is
read carefully the official letters you are sent

"it is so complicated and I just cant bear it" is clearly not a winning option
You need a CAB consult

I have been sent a summons but hey it may not be a summons is always suspicious

[lackie]

Everyone is suggesting this is a scam. A week earlier we received a letter from a local solicitor telling my husband that he was going to be summons. That is why we rang the insurance company who said it had all been sorted. The summons has the persons name on that is issuing the summons and all the relevant details of car numbers etc. So if it's a scam it's a very elaborate one. The Court is in our town so intend to ring them tomorrow and the insurers. Unfortunately, there is no way this is a scam.

[bhg481]

Perhaps a phone call to the solicitor who sent you the letter wouldn't go amiss to ask him why he's dealing with you and not your insurance company.

[New Judge]

As long as you are confident of that, lackie, find out the date of the hearing and pass it to your insurers.

[lackie]

Just to add - there were no phone numbers to ring on the forms. I looked up the court for the tel number. The solicitor office I know of. The summons quotes word for word their version of the accident and damage and what the damages accrue to. So I believe it all to be true unfortunately.

[Retrochic]

Can I suggest if at all possible to go to the Court rather than ring them? Take all the paperwork you have received with you.

[jackthehat]

lackie - Many scams *are* elaborate......it is worth the scammers while to make them so.

Make all the enquiries you have to, just don't hand over any money!

Best of luck.