The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
I caused an auto accident....no insurance...
Reverend_Chaos
Suit Up!Spokane WARegistered User regular
Suit Up!Spokane WARegistered User regular
I didn't notice the light changed as I approached the intersection, I was in the intersection before I realized what was going on - and I struck a lady turning into my lane. Now, I don't have any insurance, but according to the accident report she does. She went to the hospital in an ambulance. Everyone in my car was unharmed.
I have made a few calls and because insurance companies were getting burned by this scenario - there is no way to get insurance today that would cover the accident (I can't blame them) but that I could get insurance effective today that would take care of the no insurance portion of the ticket which is $500 which seems worth it.
I am assuming that the lady I hit, or more likely her insurance company is going to sue me. I understand that I am completely at fault, and I should have renewed my insurance, and to be honest, I feel pretty crappy about the whole thing, but especially about not having insurance to pay for her car which is more than likely totalled and the medical bills that I am sure that she is incurring right now. I am not in a position to pay these out of pocket, even though I would like to.
Any advice?
I have made a few calls and because insurance companies were getting burned by this scenario - there is no way to get insurance today that would cover the accident (I can't blame them) but that I could get insurance effective today that would take care of the no insurance portion of the ticket which is $500 which seems worth it.
I am assuming that the lady I hit, or more likely her insurance company is going to sue me. I understand that I am completely at fault, and I should have renewed my insurance, and to be honest, I feel pretty crappy about the whole thing, but especially about not having insurance to pay for her car which is more than likely totalled and the medical bills that I am sure that she is incurring right now. I am not in a position to pay these out of pocket, even though I would like to.
Any advice?
“Think of me like Yoda, but instead of being little and green I wear suits and I'm awesome. I'm your bro—I'm Broda!”
Reverend_Chaos on
0
This discussion has been closed.
Posts
In my situation, after my insurance company had determined that my uninsured motorist (aka hit and run) coverage applied, they paid me everything including a settlement for my pain and suffering since I was hurt. Last I spoke to them (roughly 5 months after the accident), they were still trying to find the guy at fault in the accident since he'd also given a fake address. In your situation, I think they're just going to ask you to pay for the damages they've covered. Best case scenario, they will contact you and can set up a payment plan with them. They want to get their money back, so will probably be willing to work with you.
This woman you hit could also sue you on top of this. It depends on what she wants to do - I just don't think the company will unless you refuse payment.
I do hope things work out for you and the woman, however.
One of my friends back in high school had the same thing happen and he got sued for 25k. Still owes money years and years later.
Get a lawyer, get your bank/employment statements in line, and maybe look into being a paid spokesman for an insurance company as to the "Why I should always have auto insurance" claim.
Another thought: If there are any traffic cameras, try to get the photos. I am not a lawyer (yet) but I reckon you want to find as many extenuating circumstances as possible to make it appear more of an accident than negligence, as I reason that this could help you in a possible civil suit.
Get your financial affairs in order. If you have any debts you would like to pay off before this falls down on you, I'd get to paying them now.
If you are willing to work with this individual and her insurance, this whole thing might go along smoothly. Just don't try to run or hide, and own up to what has happened and try to move foreword.
The good news is that the insurance company will probably work with you on some sort of payment plan. The bad news is that I can pretty much promise you that you will be paying them something.
edit: Also, I don't know if I'd bother trying to get an insurance plan to get out of the the $500 fix-it ticket. Depending on your financial situation you may not be using a car in the near future and your premiums will be insane anyway.
And Machismo has some harsh words but as a cyclist I'm extremely fearful of being hit by an uninsured driver.
xbl - HowYouGetAnts
steam - WeAreAllGeth
Edit: IANAL, just based off several bankruptcy proceedings in my immediate family. Take it for what it's worth.
How much a lawyer is going to help you depends on your statement to the police. If you admitted fault, then you are pretty much done.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
Sorry, but is this really necessary? Not only did you basically say "I hope you get fucked for years" but also didn't offer any useful advice.
OP, what state do you live in?
Get a bike. You're going to have your license revoked if this makes it to the authorities.
Everyone else: Learn from Reverend Chaos's mistakes. Driving (or flying anything other then a rookie ship) without insurance isn't just a bad idea, it's also illegal. In some states it's an automatic admission of fault.
Why would his license be revoked? Wouldn't it be recorded as a regular traffic infringement causing an accident and he would lose points? Its seems pretty silly if they have special conditions like if you are uninsured and you cause an accident that harms someone you lose your license as opposed to being insured.
Because you're not supposed to be driving without insurance, and if the police find out you are driving without insurance your license gets suspended until you prove that you do have insurance (I'm guessing here, but it makes sense).
Not only that, but they do have the power to impound your car until you do, and the fines are pretty hefty
(see http://www.carinsurance.com/kb/content12136.aspx for california)
Just a bit off topic but why the hell are all the republicans chucking a big shitty over the new healthcare bill saying they shouldn't be forced to buy something if there are rules like this for car insurance.
Because "You can choose to drive"
Similarly, you can choose where you live, but that's not important. According to them, in the U S OF A there are RULES which you must ABIDE BY unless you decide not to, like in the case of healthcare.
Anyways, political ideas aside, it really is "because you can not drive"
It's a holdover from the whole confederate thing. Because, you know, what didn't work in the 1800's will surely work now.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
I believe it's not the law in all states, but if your state is like PA then you're very lucky if you still have your license.
Because you are given the choice of not owning a car. This tangent is probably best discussed in a different forum, but its a Constitutional argument over powers. Specifically, the Tenth Amendment. The Constitution reserves all rights for the states that aren't specifically provided to the Federal Government in the Constitution. The Federal Government has gotten around this in the past by saying many laws fall under the Interstate Commerce Clause of the Constitution, which says the Federal Government has the right to make laws regulating Interstate Commerce. The Democrats say it falls under the Interstate Commerce Clause, The Republicans say it doesn't and is unconstitutional.
It's gets even funnier when you realize that the individual mandate was a republican idea back in 1994. They were for it before they were against it! Flip-floppers! Warglegargle!!!!
Not in New Hampshire (the illegal thing, it's still a bad idea).
Wearing a seatbelt and motorcycle helmets also aren't required.
Live Free and Die.
Lies, In Wisconsin auto insurance is not required, although after june 1st of this year you either have to have insurance, or proof that you can afford not to have insurance
Basically, yeah. So insurance is required for us plebs, but it's not a true blanket statement saying it's legally required everywhere
In California you can deposit $35,000 with the DMV in lieu of having liability insurance. I'm pretty sure that is a poor investment unless you have an absolutely terrible driving record though.
I can and probably will lose my license temporarily, but that will likely take months for the beauracrats to get through the paperwork but it seems pretty much automatic in my case. Getting pulled over while on this kind of suspension would probably mean getting arrested - so not an option. I can get a permit to drive to and from work & take family to the doctor, if I file some papers and pay a $100 fee.
If I get sued and can't pay the judgement, the state can suspend my license (again if I have gotten reinstated). If that is the only reason that my license is suspended, and I filed bankruptcy the state has to give me my license back. A judgement against me for this would be something that could be taken care of with bankruptcy but the ticket which is $751 could not. So the state makes sure that it gets it's money, but that's it. I am still waiting to hear from the Insurance company. Talking to a lawyer seems to be the best option. Thanks to everyone that offered ideas, I really do appreciate it.
I did admit guilt to the cops - there were numerous witnesses that told the cops that I ran the light and gave statements so there was no way of denying my guilt - which I was not inclined to do anyway. I still feel terrible, it was truly an accident, I wasn't trying to make the light or anything, but not having the insurance was a terrible oversight on my part. I hope that any of you who don't have insurance will take a cue from my mistake and get some - Depending on your driving record it can be a little pricey but it's better than having a large corporation after you for tens of thousands of dollars. I had a good policy last year, but things got tight and I was falling behind on other bills, and since I have been driving for 14 years or so without an accident, I figured it was the thing to get rid of for a while, instead of downgrading it. I am a really good driver, and have avoided a few accidents because I am paying attention to what's going on around me, when someone else does something without looking. I still don't know how I missed the light change.
Incidentally, don't ever admit guilt. There is absolutely no situation where it is in your benefit to do so. Best case, you actually were guilty of whatever you admitted to. Worst case, I'm guessing you don't have the Washington State civil code memorized and you have no idea what you were or were not actually guilty for. If you don't admit guilt you're at least in a better position to plead out some of the charges later--an admission of guilt at the scene doesn't mean you can't plead otherwise later, but you made things harder on yourself.