Huge holes in the justice system

Today I filed my first lawsuit ever. The lady who plowed into my parked car has not paid me for the damages. Moreover, she kind of dropped off the face of the earth and hasn’t returned my phone calls in the past two weeks.

I tried to be nice and reasonable – I’ve waited for two and a half months, found a cheaper mechanic and was unfailingly polite. No more. This morning I went to the local magistrate’s office and filed a lawsuit.

To my surprise, the lady who took my paperwork warned me that even if the judge decides in my favor, it is not by any means a guarantee that the lady will pay me. Basically, she can say that she doesn’t have any money, or simply not send me payments, and there is nothing I can do. As it turns out, the small claims courts in Pennsylvania cannot garnish people’s paychecks, and I am not claiming enough monetary damages to qualify for any other legal process.

Basically, my case might simply fall through the cracks. I guess that makes it perfectly fine for people to drive without insurance, hit parked cars and then get away without so much as a slap on the wrist.