My foreigner friend was in a scooter-on-scooter accident for which he was at fault. He has paid for the damages to the ladies scooter. $7500 NT - which I think is excessive.
He has not pay the hospital bill yet as she hasn’t presented him with a receipt. He is worried that she could be double-dipping him on that, the bill is for about $5500 NT.
According to his Taiwanese colleagues she needs a contract with him so she can go to her insurance company. However, with his hospital bill he recieved an insurance settlement, even though he was at fault. He is wondering if she would not be able to recieve the same, and therefore he need not pay the hospital bill at all.
There was also some discussion as to compensation for the 10 days she missed from work, although she operates her own business, and her only injury was to her left hand.
National Health Insurance covered my friend’s surgery (pins in the hand) and the cost of a basic room.
His scooter insurance covered medicines and an upgrade to a deluxe room and the ambulance ride.
Although he was at fault he was left with out any medical expenses from his own pocket.
He is willing to take responsibility, but does not wish to pay more than needed, but it seems as if they are taking advantage of him. (surprising as that may sound!)
The question is:
How can he find out which of her expenses has been covered by National Health Ins. and which have been covered by scooter insurance, and what expenses is he expected to pay for out of his own pocket?
Well I guess it’s a bit sad being the first one to reply to my own post, but that’s life.
The lady has now asked my friend to go with her to the police station to get the policeman to adjudicate. Doesn’t this smell a little?
His Chinese colleague is helping him with negotiations, but often says and does things that my friend does not feel comfortable with.
I appreciate that most of us lead busy lives, but I was hoping that someone can give us a link or a department to contact where we can clarify a few things. Just point us in the right direction (any direction will do!!). (By the way, We’re down in Taichung (Taizhong)). Our Chinese ability is just not up to dealing with these kinds of things.
Fingers crossed.
Sounds normal by local standards…
Sounds normal by local standards…[/quote]
We rang a police officer at Police Foreign Affairs English Hotline. He couldn’t speak a lot of English, but he was able to tell me that deciding who pays what is definitely not a police job. Suggested we just let it go to court. He was struggling with his English (which I found a little unusual for the English hotline) he did want to tell me something else, but just didn’t know how.
Of course we would much rather resolve the matter with out all the hassle of going to court (I think she is just trying to intimidate him and I wonder if the policeman isn’t a friend of hers) but it’s hard to resolve with out any understanding of his legal position.
Several numbers I got from Compass magazine are not current and I just can’t seem to get hold of anyone at the Australian Commerce and Industry Office (been trying for months).
Thought you guys and gals might have some suggestions?
You don’t actually “go” to the court; the police file their report with drawings and statements from each of the party’s involved, judge reviews the material, assesses who is at fault and what damages have to be paid. If you disagree with the assessment, an appeal can be filed whereupon you can appear before a judge, but take on responsibility for all legal costs, both yours and the defendant, if the appeal is ruled against. This is how it was explained to me. The crazy thing is the original verdict will not be sent to you, I guess unless you are found to be at fault. The one incident I had, where a taxi bumped me from behind, no notice of a decision was ever sent; had to phone them up and find out for myself!
Hope this helps,
CK