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Put your question on legal forums which are moderated by attorneys. Look for such forums in the net.
I was surprised the other driver waited for 7 months without getting his car repaired. What kind of damage was it? Tha fact that "other driver made about four phone calls and said take your time and solve other problems first and fix the car when you got money, he did not rushed my buddy" sounds like the other drive is a reasonable person. You should remind him that the attorney he hires to take his case will take 40% of recovery. That means, if he recovers $2000, attorney will take at least $800.00. Ask in the legal forums if any attorney will waste his/her time to take the case which will get him $800.00.
Did you see the police report? Does the report say the car was damaged? If not, your friend is in good position. Get a copy of the police report. Will cost $1 or $2.
The other driver staement that "legally he is the one to choose the place of maintainence" may not be true.
http://www.theattorneysforum.com/news/1751-free-legal-advice.html