Question: Did I mess up when I had a car accident?
I had a car accident a couple of days ago. I don’t think it was my fault and my car is damaged.
The other driver talked me out of calling the police and gave me his telephone number, but it is not a good number.
I did write down his license plate number just in case.
Did I mess up really bad and will I not be able to collect for the damages to my car?
Answer:
You should immediately call the police, report the accident, give them his license number and give them your best recollection of the accident. You should also immediately call your insurance company and report the accident.
That was good thinking to write down the other driver’s license plate so the he can be identified. There was probably a reason that he didn’t want to call the police, he might have warrants for his arrest or could have been driving either without a license or insurance.
If you have an uninsured motorist rider on your insurance policy, you may be able to collect for the damage to your car and any medical costs you might have. If you don’t, you will have to get an attorney and start an action against the other motorist. If he has any assets, you may be able to collect something.
In the future, do not be talked out of calling the police to the scene of an auto accident no matter how persuasive the other driver is.
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