The guardrail that ruined my life

A few years ago, my son had an accident - in my car. I was asleep at the time.  I always kept the keys in the bookcase. He took out a guardrail and totaled my car. The insurance wouldn't pay for it, and he received a bill for $2, 500 and something. I didn't think much of it until last fall when he and I received a law suit for nearly $30, 000 - 10 times the original amount!!!!! I don't know how this happened.  I wrote a response and filed it with the court.
Two months later, we received a judgment - we never even heard anything about a hearing!
I contacted the department of transportation, and all they will say is that the accident took place. I know that, but a guardrail does not cost $30,000 to repair according to my research.
Does anybody know anything about this problem? Can anybody help? I'm disabled with a very limited monthly stipend, and my son will probably be disabled soon, too.

Any ideas?

Waiting to hear

I went last week for my disability exam. Was hoping to hear from them this week that I got it.  Got a letter today, and I need to call them within the next 10 days, or I'll loose. I'm wondering how much I'll get - if I get it. The county only offered $850, but my SS report from years ago said over $2,000.  Surely, teaching for 20 years and working since I was 13 should bring in a little more than the people I worked with at the homeless shelter who hadn't worked!  We'll see.
I haven't really felt like doing too much. I'd like to tutor, write, counsel, and do my crafts.  So far, I've been too tired to do anything.  I went to the grocery store yesterday afternoon, and today, I am so tired that I fell asleep this afternoon watching television!  I really hate that as I am used to working, and I can't understand why I can't get enough energy to do something!