Q: What to do if a settlement is not honored after an accident?
I was involved in an accident where someone hit me, and we decided to settle the matter without involving the police. We agreed that the other party would cover the cost of the repairs. There was no written agreement, but we communicated through text messages. They initially gave me $500, but after I had to cancel a meeting for repairs due to being sick, and now they are not responding to my messages. It's been a week since I last heard from them. What should I do to ensure I receive the full amount needed for repairs?
A: A Florida attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for over a week. This is common in settings where people agree to handle matters over a handshake, often with the best of intentions. The usual options are small claims or civil court, where parties sometimes represent themselves, or sometimes involve attorneys (depending on the amount of damages and whether liability is contested). For minor damages where fault is not disputed, small claims without attorneys is usually the cheapest route. If your cancellation resulted in financial/time loss to them or other inconvenience, it could be worth considering that factor in the interest of resolving things. Good luck
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