Q: What does this mean, and what do I do? Summons on Complaint. Required to serve upon the plaintiffs attorney. An answer?
I got into an accident, my steering locked up on my vehicle and I went into another vehicle pulling out of a gas station. Damaged were done and I didn't realize my insurance that I paid for 6 months in advanced had expired a few weeks prior. The other party has State Farm insurance and they have it where if you get hit by an uninsured motorists then they will reimburse you for your damages/medical and so on. But for some reason state farm under bad faith refused to pay them. So I received a summons in the mail stating that I am "Required to serve upon the plaintiffs attorney, a copy of your answer to the complaint within 28 days after service is summoned to you exclusive of the service. Said must be filled with this court 3 days after service on plaintiffs attorney. Also, was I supposed to be served these papers in person? Or idk maybe sign for them or something? What answer are they asking and how do I do it? Can I just simply write it on a piece of paper if I don't have a computer?
A:
Only an Ohio attorney can advise here, but your post remains open for two weeks. You should consider reaching out to an Ohio attorney without further delay. I'm sorry, but from what you describe, it appears that you are being sued by the other motorist. Writing an informal note as you describe is not likely an adequate response in virtually any jurisdiction. When you consult with an attorney, they should be able to outline for you the proper manner in which to respond here. It would be better not to delay further if you have not already taken action here. Only an Ohio attorney can advise on procedural elements of law, such as the time in which to respond to a summons and complaint, but from what you describe, 14 days out of the 28 days in which to respond has already elapsed. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
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