Yesterday, I got a summons in the mail suing me for an accident that occured in Santa Clara County California. According to the complaint, I gave some lady, who I don't know, permission to drive my vehicle and she got in a wreck and therefore I am liable. None of my cars have been in a wreck (summons doesn't mention the car involved) and I am not a resident of the county as the summons states.

I found out today that the summons is legitimate. I called the court house and they have the same case # with me as the defendant. I have one month to respond. It will cost me $370 to file the response. I have tried calling the State Farm lawyers to see if they will voluntarily drop the complaint but can only get an answering service. If I get a lawyer, it is going to cost me probably $1,000 dollars to refute a complaint that clearly is a mistake. It would be painful, but it may be worth spending $1,000 to save $17,000.

Now that I know more, any words of wisdom?