Can I get screwed for not reporting an accident?

[dawookie]

History:
Its raining one Sunday. A chick in a car in front of me slams on the brakes and stops at a Yellow light.. If I was in any lane besides the one she was in I could drive through the intersection while it was yellow.. I slam on the brakes, slow down a bit, then hydroplane the last 6 feet or so into the back of her car..

We both get out, no visible damage to either vehicle, there were dirt marks from my bumper on her rear bumper that wiped off easily. She didnt want to call the cops, she took my insurance and dl# and that was it.

A few weeks later her insurance co calls and says there was 300$ in damage to her car but her deductable is 1000$ or something like that, so they wont be paying for this. They get my insurance info again, that is the last I hear about it..

.. until Friday I get a certified letter from my last insurance co (I switched recently to a cheaper carrier) that they are investigating the claim.


There was no police report. No visible damage at the time of the accident. No physical damage to either person. I didnt report anything to my insurance..

Can I get screwed on this?

 

[strider364]

I'm not sure if you'll get screwed, but always make the police report. Too little too late here I think.

 

[ZenMachine]

I think it depends on where you are as to whether or not you are required to report the accident. Where I am from the damage has to be $1000 before you are required to report it.

Depends on what your definition of screwed it. Your insurance company will more than likely have to pay. The accident may then affect you premiums, even if you are at a new place.

I think in a situation like that, they consider you to be at fault for the accident.

Zen

 

[dawookie]

Well, the person who rear-ends the other is automatically guilty in Florida. If we would have filed a police report then I would automatically have problems..

With no police report its what she says vs. what I say right?

It was raining and there was no damage so neither of us wanted to call the cops.. Im guessing she went home and told her husband and thats why they pursued with their insurance co.

 

[dawookie]

I think it depends on where you are as to whether or not you are required to report the accident. Where I am from the damage has to be $1000 before you are required to report it.

Depends on what your definition of screwed it. Your insurance company will more than likely have to pay. The accident may then affect you premiums, even if you are at a new place.

I think in a situation like that, they consider you to be at fault for the accident.

Zen

Yeah I would be at fault since I hit her from behind.. My definition of screwed would be having to go to court or something, or points on my license.. if worse comes to worse Ill pay the damn 300$ I guess, thats not the problem..

She had a saturn too.. arent those damn things plastic and undentable?

 

[ZenMachine]

I suspect that is the case in most places.

It would technically be her word against yours, but short of claiming she "backed" into you. I don't know if that is going to help.

If it is only $300 bucks I would probably just pay it out of pocket and not have to deal with my insurance going up.

Zen

 

[circusgirl]

History:
Its raining one Sunday. A chick in a car in front of me slams on the brakes and stops at a Yellow light.. If I was in any lane besides the one she was in I could drive through the intersection while it was yellow.. I slam on the brakes, slow down a bit, then hydroplane the last 6 feet or so into the back of her car..

We both get out, no visible damage to either vehicle, there were dirt marks from my bumper on her rear bumper that wiped off easily. She didnt want to call the cops, she took my insurance and dl# and that was it.

A few weeks later her insurance co calls and says there was 300$ in damage to her car but her deductable is 1000$ or something like that, so they wont be paying for this. They get my insurance info again, that is the last I hear about it..

.. until Friday I get a certified letter from my last insurance co (I switched recently to a cheaper carrier) that they are investigating the claim.


There was no police report. No visible damage at the time of the accident. No physical damage to either person. I didnt report anything to my insurance..

Can I get screwed on this?

afaik the cops will be interested only if someone is injured....