I got into an accident!?

Question

I was involved in a car accident where I had slightly backed up into someone's front bumper. We had exchanged information: insurance etc. when i hadn't heard from her when two weeks had past, I went ahead and gave her a call. she said she hadn't had time to get an estimate on the damages due to her hectic schedule. After that I didnt hear from her for 3 months. We had both talked about not involving our insurance companies from the very beginning, but the amount that the damages are costing is absolutely ridiculous. (over $3000) the car and insurance policy is registered in my father's name and i'm just an add on for both. i really don't want to involve my dad's insurance because 3000 bucks worth of damage is going to kill his premium and mine for a very long time. can a police report be filed? can this be reported to the dmv at this point when its been three months?

Answer 1

Another example of being penny wise and pound foolish.  Do you think for one minute that a surcharge on your Dads insurance will exceed the "over $3,000.00" estimate ?   A typical surcharge (if there is one at all) would be in the 10-20% range for the first year and drropping of in the second year and often nothing after that.  It is NEVER EVER a good idea NOT to involve and use the insurance coverage you paid for.  Call them now, let them protect you.

Answer 2

If your in CA. your supposed to submit an SR1 within 10 days of the accident...if the damages are over $750.

In regards to the police report, you could probably go in to the precinct & submit an over the counter one, yet due to being 3 months ago, they won't come out & take a report.

The person you struck has the right to take it to the body shop of their choice...yet if you have a Chrysler going into a Mercedes Benz dealer, well you have a problem my friend.  This is where insurance comes in handy.

If you think about it, what sounds better; paying her $3000 in one lump sum or paying your insurance company about the same over the next 3 years??

Answer 3

Don't say anything.  It was your fault so the other person has the interest of  making a claim.  

I am taking the guess that she does not have insurance and shouldn't had been driving the car in the first place.  If she suffered $3,000 in damages there is no way she'll let you go without filing a report.  Or she is trying to s***w you. Telling you the damages were $3,000.  If her car sustained $3,000 of damages it would undriveable.  I smell a scam.

Answer 4

Call the PD of the city where the accident happened and ask if you can still file a report. You definitely want a police report to prove what happened. That way if you want to use your insurance (as that is what it is for instead of dropping down $3000) you have the police report.

I thought that there was a 60 day period to file from when the accident happened, but that may be state law or just something someone was making up.

It sounds to me like the other person doesn't really have insurance, especially if it was your fault and they are beating around the bush.