Urgently need legal advice on an insurance matter
I’m hoping to get some advice because I’m completely lost and stressed about my situation. Back in 2022, I was involved in a car accident while driving a car I hired from Marketplace. The vehicle was insured with a company called ‘Melbourne Rideshare Club’. After the accident, I paid the required excess to the owner and thought the matter had been resolved.
A few weeks ago, I received a call from the Sheriff’s Office telling me that there was a warrant out against me. This was the first time I had heard anything about a court case. I immediately contacted the Magistrates’ Court in Victoria and found out that the other party involved in the accident had apparently filed a claim against me because they were unable to recover money from the insurance company. What shocked me even more was that there had already been two court hearings.The plaintiff’s lawyers apparently used an incorrect residential address for me, so I had no idea the proceedings even existed.
To make things even stranger, I was told that a lawyer had appeared in court and represented me. I never hired a lawyer, never spoke to a lawyer about this matter, and never gave anyone authority to represent me. I still don’t know who instructed that lawyer or why I wasn’t contacted. The court suggested that most likely the insurance company sent someone to represent me.
I have now been told that the lawyer who represented me reached a settlement with the plaintiff. Again, I was never consulted, never agreed to any settlement, and was completely unaware that any of this was happening.
I am a full-time student and don’t really have the money to hire a private lawyer. I’ve been trying to contact community legal centres for over a week, but they always seem to be at capacity and unable to assist.
Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I’m feeling overwhelmed and trying to understand what would be the right way to proceed.