Hit and run with a twist
 

Morning all, I'm lost for words with the events of the past 3 months. 12/11 I hit the rear of another car. Took full responsibility and started a claim with my insurance. Never got to the body shop to repair my front bumper which was damaged on the left side.


Fast forward to 2/1 in snow conditions I headed home to grab a package. Pulling into my complex I was greeted with a female driver pulling out of a side road never stopping. I avoided her and hit the right side of my bumper running up into a hill of dirt and curb. She took off and I followed her for about 10 minutes. She played victim with the police until they saw my dash cam footage. The officer didn't sign any tickets but gave us a write up of info of each other so we could contact insurance.


Here's where it gets fun. I contacted her insurance company who indicated there was no record of her insurance number or name on file. I contacted the officer who stated because it was such a low amount of damage it was my responsibility to work with my insurance company to find hers. With her info I contacted my insurance company on 2/6 they stated that she canceled her policy back in 2014. So she has no insurance.

The damage is 309 dollars worth which I could put towards my original repairs. But what should I do? Contact the officer and see if at least she'll get a ticket? Contact her directly (she lives 2 roads over from me). Or just leave it alone? I have all her contact info including where she works and this drives me nuts that she knew she was wrong and drives around with no insurance.

She's driving without insurance, that's a fine and possible suspension of license, and also likely driving an unregistered vehicle. Strange to me none of that was of interest to the officer. Are you sure she hasn't received any citations or anything? *edit* Actually, she provided false information to the police, it sounds like that would be of interest to them and I would let them know. It's really only a matter of time until she ***** over someone else.

However, it sounds like there was no contact between you two so there's no hit and run. Even if she's the one that made you swerve, she has no fault in the matter as far as I know in pretty much any state. It's dumb as hell, but letting the wreck happen is the only way they can be held accountable.

As it's a minor amount of damage it's not even worth hiring a lawyer and going to small claims, where they could argue the proximate cause and if your actions were reasonable and go down that road to seek damages.

Seriously your insurance should be answering all of these questions and helping.

Here's a copy of the whole thing

https://youtu.be/uktc9vKnN_s

Crizo, my insurance wants me to go through a claim of insurance and they'll go after her. I told them I don't want to take that risk or put a claim in like that. It's so stupid. I hope the officer would at least give her a ticket. The officer and my insurance state that it is actually her fault. So I'm not sure if it's my state or not.

Just saw the clip... What a dumb broad... she was totally at fault... Loved the Gorillaz song in the background by the way.

Police won't care after the fact about the insurance or not. Insurance fraud is so common police only care when it's right in front of them, you can't drive for 10 min without seeing a Florida plate here, but you can't get pulled over for just checking your paperwork.
A small claims court might care, especially since she's committing fraud by using a valid looking insurance paper. It's up to you if you want to pursue that or not. I'd avoid going through insurance for such a small amount, your rate might not go up but it sure won't go down sooner.

You have all her information. I know a guy named Guido.....:tiphat:

I was in a similar situation with an uninsured motorist. People that don't pay for insurance, of all things, do not have funds to pursue.

The driver committed multiple offenses (no insurance on vehicle-> always assume suspended license in this case, leave scene of an accident, etc.) and should be ticketed and may even receive jail time.

Just goes to remind you that you should ALWAYS pony up for uninsured motorist coverage.

Too many people driving around on $80/month coverage with $2500 deductibles to take the risk.

:rofl2::D

Couldn't agree more, drive and I were pulled over police ran all her info and it was good (at the time). Guess he just glanced at the insurance card. I fell like I want to waste my time taking her to court if nothing else just to take her time as well.

Your insurance wants a claim because that's more money for them.

I'd consult with an attorney (not a sleazebag billboard guy) and ask what they think. That's pretty cut and dry her fault in my opinion, but a lot of the northeast is no-fault, which I'm unfamiliar with.

Just know lawyer and court fees will cost more than the damages out of your pocket until you settle and she pays up. Whiiiich considering that she doesn't have insurance and drives that shitbox, she probably can't pay, so you're just out time and even more money.

Honestly, for $309 (if what the damage actually is) I would just put it behind you, not worth the energy. **** happens, and even more **** will happen to her without any action on your part.

Try not to contact her directly. Nothing good will come of that

I think the biggest thing here Matt is this lady's an idiot and almost caused a serious accident. You may have to take the loss, going to court for $300 in damages may not be worth your time and effort. If you can get her insurance to pay for it, that'd be ideal. Good luck bro.

I would contact her directly. Tell her to fork over the $$$ or you'll report her to the police for driving without insurance. It will put a fright into her.

This is precisely what insurance is for. I had a similar incident years ago when I hit a median curb to avoid getting t-boned. Of course, it busted my oil pan, and the other vehicle drove off so I could not give chase. I had to fight with my insurance to get them to waive my deductible. They told me that it couldn't be covered under my uninsured motorist coverage because there was no contact with the other vehicle. I asked them if they'd rather me not avoid the collision next time, and they said no and waived my deductible.

Of course, this was like $1500 in repairs. Your $300 claim probably isn't worth the hassle.

Great that you had the dashcam!

Yes, if you have the time, I'd take her to small claims court.