what are my legal obligations?

[globetrotter]

ok, 3 years ago, my boss asks me to take a long ride with him. he rear ends another car, totally his fault, but to be honest I got the feeling that the other driver may have been exagurating her physical damage (she immidiatly called an ambulance). I left the company, and had a very bad experience with the boss after that - he really fucked me over.


now, I have been contacted by the lawyer representing my boss in a lawsuit, I am the only witness.it looks like there is a lawsuit in Pa, I am in Chicago. can they compel me to come out there to testify? can I ignore the whole thing? should I talk to the other party? any cheap legal advice is welcome.

 

[zalb916]

You're not going to be compelled to go to Pennsylvania to testify, but you could potentially be deposed in Chicago.

 

[oscarthewild]

Do you not remember telling me about that day? The lines your ex-boss snorted? The Jaeger shots? The rants about wimen drivers and how much he enjoys rear ending (both auto and SF style) them? ........ Payback is a *****! Oh yeah, you may mention to that guys attorney, that you may be willing to come out if they cover your expenses. Say $10K per day. Much fun possible.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by oscarthewild

Do you not remember telling me about that day? The lines your ex-boss snorted? The Jaeger shots? The rants about wimen drivers and how much he enjoys rear ending (both auto and SF style) them? ........


Payback is a *****!

lol - yeah, I seem to remember that!

 

[Mentos]

You can ignore it until you're subpoenaed. There's no benefit to contacting the other side--what would you possibly say to them? They can't make you go to PA for a deposition. Just sit tight--they'll get to you sooner or later.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Originally Posted by Mentos

There's no benefit to contacting the other side--what would you possibly say to them?
He can call up his former boss, play Justin Timberlake's song "What Goes Around, Comes Around" into the phone, then hang up.

 

[romafan]

I'm surprised your old boss (who knows ********* you over bigtime, correct?) had the balls to have his lawyer contact you. I doubt is he looking for favorable testimony. Most likely you're listed on the accidnent report or your name was mentioned in an earlier dep. If they are that desperate for your testimony they will either subpoena you to PA (and pay your expenses) or possibly offer to come to Chicago to take it (? - little rusty on my CivPro). Knowing that it was his fault (and that he dicked you over) I'm pretty sure they will totally accomodate you, maybe even do it over the phone(?).

 

[Mentos]

From the sound of it, it's the other driver's lawyer who's going to have a field day with this guy, even if counsel may not yet know that the key to his case is offering depo previews on the internets.

"So he was your boss and you think it was all his fault?"
"Yes."
"I think that's all, thanks."

 

[teddieriley]

isn't there a statute of limitations for this claim? but i suppose that is the first thing they checked (i hope so) and found it is within it.

your ex-boss isn't tripping, i'm sure his insurance company is the one paying out of pocket, not him, unfortunately.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

isn't there a statute of limitations for this claim? but i suppose that is the first thing they checked (i hope so) and found it is within it.

your ex-boss isn't tripping, i'm sure his insurance company is the one paying out of pocket, not him, unfortunately.


apperently the company and my ex-boss are listed as plaintifs. but I don't know if anything is supposed to come out of his pocket.

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

apperently the company and my ex-boss are listed as plaintifs. but I don't know if anything is supposed to come out of his pocket.

Your boss is the plaintiff?!

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by romafan

Your boss is the plaintiff?!

sorry - my mistake, the defendant? my boss and the company are being sued.

 

[Douglas]

Mmmm... I'm assuming you mean that your company and the ex-boss are listed as defendants, not plaintiffs, correct?

Edit: I see this has already been addressed.

 

[Douglas]

So I'm assuming he was driving a company vehicle?

Looks like the plaintiff has found the deep pocket.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Douglas

So I'm assuming he was driving a company vehicle?

Looks like the plaintiff has found the deep pocket.

he was driving a sedan that was part of his compensation package, and so was paid for and insured by the company.