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Old November 17th, 2004, 10:07 AM
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geoschmo geoschmo is offline
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Default Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished

Since he wasn't driving at the time of the accident, I doubt he's going to any love from his own insurance company. Your automobile insurance company doesn't really cover your car, it covers you as a driver of your car.

While what is happeneing to you sucks on a personal level, it's understandable to a point. (Note that I'm not saying it's right, just understandable.) Any time there is an property damage accident in which noone was cited, the insurance company will try to make the claim that it's a "no-fault" accident and share the cost with the other side. If you had been driving at the time she hit you your own insurance company would foot part of the bill. Since you weren't they aren't going to touch it. But just because they won't doesn't mean that her company is going to want to pay the whole thing.

Your numero uno big mistake was not insisting she stay until the police arrive and fill out an accident report. Most likely she would have been citred and then her insurance company would have no wiggle room. As long as you were parked on a public thouroughfare she would have most likely been cited anyway.

If you were parked on your uncles property they probably wouldn't have cited her. But if you were parked on your uncles property then probably his homeowners insurance will help pay the damages. Of course depending on what kind of policy he has this may be really bad for him. Even if you paid the deductable out of your own pocket his insurance co might pay off and then decide to drop him as high-risk. If you think car insurance companies are bad, try dealing with those crooks.

So the big lesson for everyone is, if there's an accident, even if noone is injured, DON'T LEAVE. Call the police and wait. If the other guy wants to leave, tell him no. If he starts to leave anyway, make sure you get his plate number and be real obvious about it. Hit-Skip is not a nice thing to have on your record.

I doubt it would help At, but you might give a call to the police department and ask them if there's any chance of getting a police report filed after the fact. Most won't, but some will. If you can get a citation issued against her that will end your problem. Otherwise, get a lawyer and go after her insurance company. Chances are they'll settle this one. You won't end up whole in the end, but if the damage is significant, it would be worth it to get some back.

Geoschmo
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