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Car Backed Into, No Insurance?

post #1 of 8
10/4/11 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Today while in a right turning lane to get onto the freeway, a van that was in front of me started backing up and before I could even do anything backed right into me.

I got out and saw that the wasn't any major damage, all the lights still worked, just the front bumper (left turn signal cracked) and the hood were damaged, the car is still perfectly drivable.
(my car is a beater.)

Anyways, he got out his van, he asked me for my info and I told him I didn't have insurance on my car, he then gave me his card and told me to call him.
He drove off and so did I. Dude is a church pastor driving a church van.

I didn't call the police because I thought I'd get a ticket for not having insurance in the first place.

I already left him a message telling him to call me back.
I haven't heard from him yet.

I just want to know if there is anything else I can do to get the damages paid for?
Edited by poorman - 10/4/11 at 3:07pm
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post #2 of 8
10/4/11 at 2:51pm
First this sucks, little e-sympathy your way. The odd thing about this situation is that you were not at fault for having caused the accident, but yet didn't have insurance. Normally, you hear of stories the other way around and a headache for the innocent person w/ insurance..

I'm no expert, but wouldnt the legal costs and ramifications due to your lack of insurance be greater if it was reported? I'm presuming that it's illegal to drive in all 50 states w/o insurance. Things could backfire if you tried to pursue his insurance...

Since, he may be some moral sense (hoping) and not trying to fuck you over either
A) Call him and ask if he could pay for part of your damage. You can state financial hardships for not having insurance and how you did not initiate the situation. He might be willing to go half or something. Appeal to reason and moral obligation without being demanding. Because for he knows he probably can walk away from this one, if you piss him off with accusations you'll probably get just that.

B) Do nothing, you will have to pay out of pocket because you chose to drive illegally without insurance. If you don't have insurance, you need to realize you ARE your own insurance. You'll probably have to pony up yourself. This is the risk you take, besides legal issues, whatever they may be if caught.

What could you do if someone took a baseball bat and bashed your bumper in the same area then ran away undetected?
Nothing, besides pay it yourself. You don't have insurance, this is part of the reason why they try to work it into laws in the U.S.

You might just have to live with it. If you do nothing he can't pursue you likely, and no police report was filed. On his end, your problem doesn't exist and no police record to prove it. He'll probably would file for insurance on his own either A or B.

No I'm no lawyer and can't give legal advice. This is just some thoughts that come to mind with a little reasoning and experience.
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post #3 of 8
10/4/11 at 2:51pm
If he accepts he is at fault, you come to an agreement for an amount to settle so you can repair your bumper. You then buy him a beer and have a nice chat with the guy and part ways amicably like upstanding citizens.
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post #4 of 8
10/4/11 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by erdawe View Post

First this sucks, little e-sympathy your way. The odd thing about this situation is that you were not at fault for having caused the accident, but yet didn't have insurance. Normally, you hear of stories the other way around and a headache for the innocent person w/ insurance..
I'm no expert, but wouldnt the legal costs and ramifications due to your lack of insurance be greater if it was reported? I'm presuming that it's illegal to drive in all 50 states w/o insurance. Things could backfire if you tried to pursue his insurance...
Since, he may be some moral sense (hoping) and not trying to fuck you over either
A) Call him and ask if he could pay for part of your damage. You can state financial hardships for not having insurance and how you did not initiate the situation. He might be willing to go half or something. Appeal to reason and moral obligation without being demanding. Because for he knows he probably can walk away from this one, if you piss him off with accusations you'll probably get just that.
B) Do nothing, you will have to pay out of pocket because you chose to drive illegally without insurance. If you don't have insurance, you need to realize you ARE your own insurance. You'll probably have to pony up yourself. This is the risk you take, besides legal issues, whatever they may be if caught.
What could you do if someone took a baseball bat and bashed your bumper in the same area then ran away undetected?
Nothing, besides pay it yourself. You don't have insurance, this is part of the reason why they try to work it into laws in the U.S.
You might just have to live with it. If you do nothing he can't pursue you likely, and no police report was filed. On his end, your problem doesn't exist and no police record to prove it. He'll probably would file for insurance on his own either A or B.
No I'm no lawyer and can't give legal advice. This is just some thoughts that come to mind with a little reasoning and experience.

Yeah, thanks for the reply.

At this point I'm willing to accept that nothing will be done.
Like you said, it would cost me more to try and escalate things with him.

I'm content with the fact that after the accident, the car is still running fine and nothing really has to be replaced.

While we were talking after the accident, he did admit that it was his fault, that he "wasn't looking."
We'll see what happens.
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post #5 of 8
10/4/11 at 3:40pm
I'm glad there was no bodily harm. Now get insurance, for your own sake and particularly for that of others. I was hit by an uninsured driver, and after that difficult ordeal, find it hard to have any respect for people who drive without it.
Edited by JayJay - 10/4/11 at 3:54pm
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post #6 of 8
10/4/11 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post

I'm glad there was no bodily harm. Now get insurance, for your own sake and particularly for that of others. I was hit by an uninsured driver, and after that difficult ordeal, find it hard to have any respect for people who drive without it.

Yeah, I know, I know. frown.gif
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post #7 of 8
10/5/11 at 10:16am
Why didn't you ask for his insurance information?
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post #8 of 8
10/5/11 at 11:28am
show up to his church this sunday and sit in the front row... Look deep into his soul with a piercing manic stare throughout the service.

if they allow people to ask for prayers out loud create tears that stream down your eyes and proclaim: "Plllllleeeeease let the lord and this congregation PRAY for me!!! I had a car accident and need a repair that was not my fault but due to my poverty/meekness I can't ask for compensation - PRAY FOR ME ALL".

maybe fall to your knees and cry a little more, but keep the manic piercing stare going on the pastor's eyes during the whole song and dance.
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