Car accident - someone owes me money, but......?

Question

Some kid rear ended me almost a month ago, and he doesn't have insurance. I, however, am fully covered. He doesn't want me to take this matter to my insurance company (which I don't particularly want to either).

He tried to convince me to go see his uncle who is a mechanic, and he would fix my car for free. I explained to the kid that its not convenient for me to do that, nor do I have any guarantee my car will really be fixed.

We kind of came to an agreement: he would pay me $1800 for the damages and a doctor bill. However, he wanted to let his mother know.

The last time I talked with him, he apparently told his mother an estimate of around $2200. That is nice of him, but I just got a call from his mother, trying AGAIN to convince me to go to his uncle for repairs, and she claims she doesn't have any money to pay me (right after the kid said money wasn't a problem).

She said she could put it on her American Express card...but she is trying to give me a pity story. What do I do?...

Answer 1

Look, this is just going to be one huge hassle after another, and in the end, they aren't going to pay you.

Either file the claim with your insurance company and let them chase it, or walk away.  I've seen this hundreds of times.  That's what it always boils down to.  If uncle does the job, you're not going to be happy with it - or maybe he'll botch it badly.  And that, WON'T be covered under your policy.

Answer 2

Let your insurance company handle it...He hit you and he did not have insurance...Isn't that against the law?  That is probably why he did not want you to turn it in.

Answer 3

Don't be a sucker.  Do not try to work this out with the at fault party....you have already seen how this is going to be drug out.  If you really expect to get any significant money from these people then you might be in for a suprise.  

Call your insurance company, pay the deductible for uninsured motorist, and let them fix the car.  Do NOT trust the "uncle" and do not accept money from someone unless you know for certain that it is all that's required to fix the car and repair your health.  You will sign power of attorney over to your company, and they will use appropriate legal action to collect the repair money and your deductible from these people.  Since that's what they owe anyway, you are not being mean.  

I was rear ended by a kid who presented proof of insurance when the cops showed up.  However, when I called her insurance company, I learned that her father had purchased the policy 1 hour after the accident.  So I called my company, paid the $500 deductible, took my car to the body shop, and had to use a rental car in the meantime.  Since the girl was a student at the school where I teach, she tried to use her friends in my class as a guilt trip for filing with my insurance.  She even showed up in the middle of one of my classes with tears in her eyes asking how we could 'work it out'.  For all the sympathy I had for this girl, her father (the one who was actually financially liable) had chose to allow his 17 year old daughter to drive around in an uninsured vehicle, lied about having coverage, coached his daughter into lying to the police officer, and then tried to manipulate me into having my car repaired when "they could get the money together".  Since it was not drivable, I didn't even consider this option.  

People are responsible for the consequences of their actions.  Unless these people can fork over the cash for the full total of the INDEPENDENT estimates you've received (both health and mechanical), don't wait another day and file with your insurance.

Answer 4

GO TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILE THE CLAIM NOW!!  they will pay your damages and medical bill and then go after them for repayment.  stop messing around with these people as you said you have no guarantee of work done.  its not your fault they have no insurance and this is why you do!

Answer 5

In most states driving around without car insurance is illegal. They might have a sob story, but guess what... you have one of your own due to them being irresponsible. Tell them they need to pay you asap or else you will report them to the authorities and you'll have to report it to your insurance company. Give them a deadline so that they have some time to get their finances in order. Granted accidents happen, but a person can NOT drive around with out insurance. They either need to take the bus or ride a bike.

This link has a lot of good facts about what happens when people do not have insurance: http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Insurance-...

Good luck!

Answer 6

i would go to my insurance company and make him pay he should not have been driving without insurance plain and simple.

Answer 7

Go through your ins and let them get reimbursed. You did the right thing by having an insurance policy - use it.