Do I have a case for small claims court if my friends kept more than half of the payout for a vehicle that was mine?

On 08/2014, I took over (possession only) a vehicle from a friend. We, the friend and I, allowed the vehicle to remain in his name. I was under the assumption that I'd be added to the insurance as a driver. I found out that I wasn't. I paid all the monthly car payment including the insurance. I also paid for all maintenance to keep the vehicle operational. On 06/28/17, I was involved in a car accident. I called my friend (his wife and I were close friends until this) to inform him I had just had an accident and could he give me the insurance agent’s number. He told me that he would call the insurance and tell them himself. He called me a few days later saying that the insurance is totaling out the vehicle and I'd received a check in a few weeks for the amount of $4100.00. He called me 2 days later and said my money is there and that I can come pick it up. He also stated that he only has $4000.00 remaining after he had to pay for check cashing fees and a new title. At this point, I was confused as to why he cashed the check vs signing it over to me. I met him at his home and received the $4000.00 in cash. A few weeks later, I was contacted by the insurance to give a statement as the accounts of the accident. During that call, I inquired about the check and fast return, I then learned that the payout was in the amount of $8157.76.