Korean Job Discussion Forums

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

I'm just curious if anyone has any personal experience with traffic accidents in Korea and how the law works here. My husband (Korean) was involved in an accident which was not his fault. His foot was run over by a bus. The bus driver has admitted guilt in the police report.

Just wondering what usually happens in these types of cases in Korea. I know that Koreans typically don't sue like people in NA do, but they must sometimes. Anyone got any stories/info to share? Thanks.

proustme · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Location: Nowon-gu

It usually boils down to blood money. You don't file a suit against him or notify his insurance company and so he gives you money for not doing this. Be sure to get your husband in the hospital for any resultant pain. Get it documented. Then think of a figure you want for damages and tell the man he has to pay up or else you'll report it. I'd look into the statutes of how long you can go without reporting it to his insurance company. I wouldn't wait too long, if you're going to go about it this way.

Goon-Yang · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Duh

So your korean husband need help with laws in his home country? Troll much?

Tell him to ask his soju/work buddies. They'll know more.

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

Goon-Yang, yeah, I have a lot of time to troll with a 10 month old baby and my husband in the hospital. Idiot.

The doctor says he'll be in the hospital for 3 - 6 weeks. He had to have surgery to untwist his foot....I guess it was bad (I'm visiting my parents in Canada now).

Thanks for your reply proustme.... I've heard about this blood money thing...but in this case I doubt the bus driver has enough money to cover us. ..... Shocked

I wonder why Koreans don't sue....

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

I would think that the bus company would be paying for it. Don't go after the driver, his pockets aren't as deep as the bus company's.

blackjack · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Location: anyang

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

Forward Observer · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Location: FOB Gloria

In other news, we'll be dropping by to see him in the hospital today. If anyone else who knows him and isn't already a facebook friend of his, and wants directions, shoot me a pm and I'll let you know where it is.

Don't worry Sarah, we'll find out today if they got a decent lawyer or not. The last time I talked to him, he said his dad was looking for one.

If not, I'll talk to mah peopres on Monday and ask them to recommend one of their *JRTI buddies that does these kinds of cases.

*JRTI - Judicial Research Training Institute.

Oh, and they DO sue. Don't listen to people who tell you they don't - there are buildings full of lawyers who meet with clients every day that drag cases through courts for YEARS. The key word here is settlement. Most small time cases are settled out of court because people just want money, and their lawyers often convince them to settle for the quick buck. That's why you get a lawyer, so he can negotiate a bigger settlement for you instead of accepting the pittance they usually offer.

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

thanks, FO.

Yes, definitely don't want this to drag on for years....just a decent settlement for our pain and suffering. THanks for helping us out!

Forward Observer · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Location: FOB Gloria

Quick update.

In these kinds of cases, the driver has to come to a separate settlement with the victim/plantiff that is going to sue. The bus company will have to pay out as well. I didn't know that. So ya, maybe not sue the driver, but definitely will have to get an attorney to sue the bus company.

In S's case, the driver came to the hospital, admitted fault to the police, and apologized to the family. They will come to an agreement on $$, but he will also lose his job. I actually don't feel sorry for the driver one bit, although S does feel sorry for him. This is what I told S: If he hadn't taken off while the door was still open, and while you had one foot out the door, we wouldn't be sitting here right now. Making sure the passengers are out the door, closing the door before taking off, is one of the 10 commandments of his job. So, NO I don't feel sorry for him. S also is out of a job because of this (lost hours, schedule, etc.) so, why should anyone feel sorry for the driver?

BTW, he's been moved to room 508. For directions to the hospital, pm me.

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

I know of Sistersarah's husband. he is Korean but spent many years outside Korea, so his knowledge of Korean legal system and the such are not as much as a regular Korean.

Definitely, tell the insurance company. I don't know much more than that. I heard from someone that you can either get the insurance company to pay out each time he gets treatment, or just a 1-shot settlement.

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004