前段時間我的車被撞了,肇事車同時還撞了另外一輛車。由於肇事車的保險limit隻有$10,000,而兩輛被撞車的property damage加起來有$14,635,其中我的property damage是$4,671,根據肇事車保險公司的pro rata distribution計算,我能拿到$10,000的31.9%共$3,191,還有接近$1,500的差額,由於我沒有買uninsured property damage保險,這個差額從我的保險公司也拿不到。我的想法是等從肇事車保險公司拿到$3,191的賠償後,再去小額法庭告肇事車司機索取1,500的差額。
剛收到肇事車保險公司的property damage release,其中有一段話是這樣:
Insured Driver: BBB
For the sole consideration of $3191.82, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the undersigned XXX ("Claimant"), being of lawful age, releases and discharges the above-listed insured(s), Anchor General Insurance Company ("Company"), their successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, all other persons, firms and corporations and all other persons qualifying as insured (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any all claims, rights, demands and causes of action that the Claimant may have against any of the Released Parties for prperty damage as a result of the event on 9/23/2012 (the "Occurrence"). This settlement is the compromise of a disputed form, and payment to Claiment is not an admission of liability on the part of any Released Party.
這段話表明肇事車司機“the above-listed insured(s)”也是屬於“Released Parties”嗎?如果我簽了這份property damage release,是不是就等於我放棄了再向肇事車司機(不是肇事車保險公司)索賠的權利?我應該在拿到肇事車保險公司拿到$3,191的賠償前就上小額法庭向肇事車司機索賠嗎?