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Well. Guess who just called. The husband of the woman that hit me. Said he understands his wife might have 'bumped' me yesterday by the Catholic church. Odd, she denies doing it but knows where it happened? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif Wants me to get an estimate and let him know how much it is because they may not want to claim it on their insurance.
Bwahahahahaha. I think the idea of 'leaving the scene of an accident/hit and run' might have got her thinking. I did tell him it was a 30 year old antique import that she knocked off the road (more than a mere bump) and I wouldn't be surprised if the damages were a LOT more than their deductible.
Have a sneaking suspicion, as clueless and careless a driver as this woman is, she might have more than just my little ouchie on her record.
We shall see. Chuck is taking the B over to John Mangles now.
Oh Gawwd, she sounds like one of the many who drive by braille, lipstick in one hand, cell phone in the other! Really have him worried now that you mentioned "a 30 year old antique import that she knocked off the road". Now he's really thinking, I would have like to have been a flyspec on the wall of that household, better than any reality show I have seen I bet.
I feel your pain with the "loose nuts" behind the wheel out there. I was getting gas last summer, and was behind a behemoth SUV at the pumps. As a precaution, I made sure that I was visible from THEIR driver side mirror. The woman then proceeds to put it in reverse and slam into the nose of my Midget. When I yelled and got her out of the car, she accused me of hitting her. I asked how that could happen if I was not in my car?!?! Turns out, she admitted that she a) never checked her mirror, and b) thought she was in drive, not reverse!!! As luck would have it, my car was in neutral w/o handbrake, so damage was minimal, and I was replacing the bumper anyway...
Have my estimate, but can't get ahold of the husband. Will try later this evening before I leave. If I don't get ahold of them, I'm filing the police report and a claim with her insurance company in the morning.
Bruce, I went to the police station and talked with an officer for about 20 minutes right after the accident yesterday. He took all the information concerning the accident, including her name, phone number and insurance info. This is a very small, close-knit town. Everyone knows everyone sort of place.
If they are willing to pay for the damages out of pocket, with a cashier's check directly to John Mangles, do you think I really need to file the report and press charges for leaving the scene?
I would be very wary of letting someone go around their insurance to pay for the repairs. What if the estimate goes higher during the repair or if they decide not to pay the bill after the work is done? You could get stuck. If I was on the other side, wanting to pay for damage to avoid my insurance company, I would be avail. 24 hours a day, paying deposits, doing whatever necessary to make it happen. From what you have written so far, I wouldn't trust this couple at all.
If they want to pay out of pocket to avoid surcharges, I would still get it in writing from them that you get to OK the estimate, and where it is from. A friend of mine entered into a deal like this, and then the person that hit him wanted to haggle over the estimate. When my buddy then went to the police after over a month, the police were not too helpful, since the report was not filed immediately, and they do not endorse "out of pocket" compensation. It ended up taking almost 6 months and a threat of legal action to get the money from them...
"What if the estimate goes higher during the repair or if they decide not to pay the bill after the work is done?"
Believe me John, I've thought of that. The only thing making me feel it might be okay, is like I said, this is a very small town and the family this couple belongs to is large, and very well-known. It would be terrible if I'd spend the next few months smearing them all about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif I'm going to talk to John Mangles tonight at the car club meeting. I'll ask him if he thinks the repairs might go over the estimate.
I'm going to file the police report later today. They still do not have to go through their insurance company, but the official report (including leaving the scene) will be on file then. I called their agent before I had the estimate back (an acquaintance of mine) and told him what they may want to do. He thought that might be the best way to go. What that means, I have no clue.
And yes John, if I agree to out of pocket reparations, there will be a signed paper saying they are responsible for any additional costs for the repair.
77Midg...I don't want this to get ugly or drag on. I just want the ouchie fixed!
I called the husband back. He agreed to sign a notorized paper saying they would be responsible for any additional costs for repairs to the B. ((think I can get a new paint job out of this? ~EVIL GRIN~)) I told him I'd prefer him to make the check out to Hi Tech Collision. I don't want them to think I am trying to make a buck off them.
Biffy, I'd rather see her charged with stupidity! Seriously, she could have very easily hit a family crossing the street to go to church, there were people everywhere.
I hear you. If it can be settled nicely, much the better. I guess my point is merely that they are at fault, and you are entitled to repair/compensation of your satisfaction. Hope it goes well for you.
If the police have a report you are probably fine. You know your community far better than me.
I have often wondered if there is a hit and run and the victim chases the other car, is the victim also leaving the scene of a crime? I was just thinking how the police might react to that.
Ahh Bruce. My husband mentioned the same thing yesterday. Said it might have been better (since I had her license plate #) to go directly to the police station. But then I would have still been leaving the scene, wouldn't I?
Besides, I'm a bit to rash to think things through in a situation like that. I just knew I was going to follow her from STL to Texas if I had to. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angel.gif
I do think that you did the right thing, I would have followed her too! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif
Since you have filed with the police, and since the husband has called you, willing to pay for the repairs, I would go with that.
I've found,..though it seems like there are alot of heartless, stupid, selfish people in our world, most people are pretty good and pretty responsible- when you call them on it.
You have recourse, if it doesn't work out.
I think it will work out just fine.
(just in case,..I'll get the potato sack, you get the baseball bat,....I'll sack her,..you whack her! LOL) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just don't let her get away with anything. I never caused an accident but have been rear-ended at a stop light twice. In the long run I ended up paying more than I should have for not even remotely being my fault at all.
If it were me I would tell the police to charge her with hit and run to make her not only pay but also be responsible more than just "here is some money - sorry and now we are all happy". This reinforces her to think next time!
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