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The Shoulder
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Hit by a red-light runner while borrowing a friend's car — does my situation make a lawyer pointless?

So here's my mess of a situation and I genuinely don't know where to stand.

About three weeks ago I was driving my coworker's truck to help move some furniture — she said it was totally fine, gave me the keys herself. On the way back I had a green, was going straight through an intersection, and a guy just blew right through the red and t-boned me on the passenger side. Hard hit. I ended up with a messed-up shoulder and some bruised ribs. Still dealing with the pain tbh.

Here's where it gets complicated: my license had been suspended since earlier this year (unpaid fines, I know, I know). I wasn't running from anyone or doing anything crazy — just hadn't dealt with the paperwork. Two people on the sidewalk saw the whole thing and both told the responding officer the other driver was 100% at fault. Police report backs that up.

My coworker's insurance is basically saying they're going to do the bare minimum because I wasn't a listed driver. I get it, but it still stings. So now everything kind of rides on the at-fault driver's insurance stepping up.

My question is — does the suspended license thing blow up any chance I have of getting fairly compensated? Like does it even matter that I was clearly not at fault for the actual crash? And would getting an attorney even be worth it given all the baggage, or would they just pass on my case?

I feel like the at-fault guy's insurer is going to use every little thing against me. Already had one adjuster call that felt more like an interrogation than anything helpful.

8replies

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8 replies

  • 4
    quiet-fox-023

    I was in something kind of similar — borrowed a family member's car, got rear-ended badly, and my own record wasn't perfect. The at-fault driver's liability coverage is supposed to follow the at-fault driver, not you. My suspended license came up exactly zero times in the actual liability negotiation because I didn't cause the crash. The other guy did. Hang in there, it's not as disqualifying as it feels right now.

    • 16
      sharp-raven-968

      Not legal advice, but generally speaking: fault for the collision and the status of your license are two separate issues. The suspended license could create its own legal headache for you with the DMV, but it typically doesn't erase the other driver's liability for running a red light. An attorney can assess whether your specific state treats these things differently. Most PI lawyers do free consultations, so there's really no risk in asking.

    • 6
      tidy-tern-093

      Worked in claims for years. Here's the honest insider take: the suspended license is going to get flagged internally and some adjusters will use it as a pressure tactic to make you think your claim is weaker than it is. It's a negotiation move. Liability still follows fault. That said, having an attorney levels the playing field fast — we always took represented claimants more seriously, I won't pretend otherwise.

    • 4
      quiet-kestrel-822

      A few practical things worth knowing: (1) get those two witnesses' contact info locked down ASAP if you haven't already, (2) make sure you have a copy of the police report, and (3) document every single medical visit, symptom, and expense in writing starting now. The suspended license issue is a separate matter from civil liability — they live in different lanes legally. A PI attorney's intake team can walk you through how your state handles it specifically.

  • 14
    sharp-seal-853

    That adjuster 'interrogation' call you mentioned? That's not an accident. They're fishing for anything they can use to lowball you or deny the claim entirely. Do NOT give them a recorded statement without talking to someone first. They are not on your side — their job is to pay out as little as possible, full stop.

  • 9
    silent-elk-196

    Please don't let the legal stress distract you from actually treating that shoulder and those ribs. Injuries like that can seem manageable at first and then get significantly worse over the following weeks, especially if soft tissue is involved. Keep every appointment, follow your discharge instructions, and if anything feels off or is getting worse instead of better, go back in. Your medical records are also a huge part of any claim, so consistent treatment matters a lot.

    • 4
      bright-elk-606

      Get a lawyer. Free consultation, no upfront cost, they only get paid if you win. You have a police report, two witnesses, and a clear red-light violation by the other driver. That's a solid foundation. The suspended license is your problem with the DMV — it's a separate issue from who caused the crash. Stop talking to the adjuster alone.

  • 3
    keen-marten-982

    Honestly this sounds so stressful and I'm sorry you're dealing with all of it at once — the pain, the insurance runaround, AND worrying about the license thing. Please talk to a lawyer before you say anything else to that adjuster. You deserve to at least understand your options.