Car Accident Saga: Tried to Be Nice, Ended Up Frustrated
So here’s the short story: I was making a left turn with a green light and green arrow when a truck from the opposite side decided to turn right. No big deal, right? There were two lanes, and as long as everyone stayed in their lane, we’d be fine. But then he merged into my lane and clipped the front of my car.
The damage is minor, and he didn’t dispute responsibility at the scene. He wanted to keep things between us and avoid insurance, which I agreed to. I figured I’d get an estimate for repairs, but that’s when things got complicated. He claimed he didn’t have the money upfront and suggested we just get the parts and he’d fix it. After weeks of back and forth, he now wants to go through insurance, but apparently, his insurer won’t cover my costs—it’s a “everyone for themselves” situation.
Here’s what I have: dashcam footage of the entire incident, including a clear shot of his license plate moments after the collision, along with his name, address, phone number, and texts confirming he’d pay for the repairs.
What I don’t have: his insurance information. He flat-out refused to give it to me during our last conversation.
So, what’s my next move? I have the skills to replace the fender myself since I’ve done it before, so I could just buy the parts and ask him for the money afterward, knowing I probably won’t see a dime. That would leave me with the option of small claims court or just letting it go.
Alternatively, I could take it to a shop, provide them with all the evidence I have (the guy who runs it used to work as an insurance adjuster) and see if they can extract his insurance details.
Or should I involve the police? I’m skeptical they’d take any action now, but maybe they would reconsider given I have video evidence.
I’d really like to avoid going through my own insurance, dealing with deductibles, and possibly facing increased rates since the damage isn’t significant enough to warrant that. What should I do?
That sounds like a frustrating situation, and I can understand why you’d want to avoid dealing with your own insurance. Here are a few options to consider:
Contact the Police: While it may seem like the police won’t do anything at this stage, contacting them can still be beneficial, especially since you have dashcam footage. They might take a report or at least advise you on your options. If there’s a formal report, it could help support your case later on.
Reach Out to a Lawyer: Given that you have video evidence and documentation of the other driver’s admission of responsibility, consulting with a lawyer could be worthwhile. They may offer insights on whether pursuing small claims or other legal action would be feasible based on the evidence you have.
Estimate and Repair Options: If you’re comfortable doing the repairs yourself, getting a parts estimate and then presenting that to the other driver might work. Just be sure to document everything—like the cost of parts and the time spent. If he still refuses to pay, this could support a small claims case.
Visit an Auto Body Shop: Bringing your evidence to a local body shop, particularly one where you know the owner has insurance experience, could be a good move. They may have suggestions on how to handle the situation, and they might be able to help you navigate the insurance aspect to get in touch with his insurance.
Small Claims Court: If all else fails and you feel you’ll never get paid, small claims court could be the last resort. Be prepared with all your documentation, including the dashcam footage, text messages, and any estimates you’ve gathered.
Ultimately, it could be beneficial to combine some of these approaches. Start with the police or a lawyer for quick advice, then proceed with the repair process while keeping the door open for small claims if necessary. Good luck, and I hope it all works out for you!