This kid hit me and damaged my bumper and is trying to dodge the bill; advice wanted

So this kid rear-ended me a few days ago at a red light, and it was 100% his fault and he knew it and admitted it.

There wasn't much damage, so I told him I'd do him a favor and not report the accident and that he could just pay for the price of my auto-shop bill to fix the car.

So I went to the auto-shop for a quote and it was $200. I then texted this kid with the price and told him to meet me at a McDonald's or something to give me the money.

Now he is dodging my texts and calls.

What should I do at this point?

(Evidence that I have: I have pictures of the slight damage, and I have texts sent from this guy where he told me he would pay for the damage and he also implicitly admits that the accident was all his fault in these texts)

Info that I have: I have his license plate number and pictures of his car.


[B]TLDR: This kid hit my car and told me he'd pay to fix it. Now he is dodging my calls. [/B]


Edit: The auto-shop now told me it will cost $400 to repair.

You ALWAYS get the information. If you honestly feel like being a Good Samaritan and doing him a favor, a prudent route is "I won't report it and you can just pay face value for the damage and keep it off your insurance record, but if you f*ck around on me I've got your information and you'll be double screwed."

Pictures of the damage just sitting on your phone prove nothing outside of damage being done to your car. And soliciting the texts from your cell provider is now YOUR expense.

Hire an assassin, get that kid assassinated.

[QUOTE=Derka]You ALWAYS get the information.

"I won't report it and you can just pay face value for the damage and keep it off your insurance record, but if you f*ck around on me I've got your information and you'll be double screwed."[/QUOTE]

Oh snap, I forgot to mention that I have his license plate number and pictures of his car.

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]Oh snap, I forgot to mention that I have his license plate number and pictures of his car.[/QUOTE]
Then report it, he doesn't want to pay after you've done him a favor? **** him

Turn it over to your insurance company.. give them the kids name, phone and plate number

thats why you always call the cops so they can document the accident.

Just because the cops submit an accident report doesn't mean that they will cite anybody for a traffic violation.


The report lists the drivers insurance companies. If the kid doesn't pay you can
make on claim on his insurance and submit the accident report to them.


but since you did not report the accident your options are limited. You can always text the kid you are calling the cops if you don't pay up, but he may know that's a completely empty threat. Cops can't do sh*t in this situation.

Report it. Lie, say you weren't aware you didn't have to but you found out and called. Don't say you were trying to cut a deal. The text kid that you reported it.

Note; make sure first the damage is above your deductible.

[QUOTE=gts]Turn it over to your insurance company.. give them the kids name, phone and plate number[/QUOTE]


DO NOT get your own insurance company involved.


If you have his license plate number you should be able to look up the address of the owner who registered the plate.

Get in contact with the kids parents; mail a letter certified or non, it doesn't matter.

Just by reporting the accident to your insurance company, whether its your fault or not, could absolutely factor in to a premium increase on your next insurance cycle. It doesn't matter who is a fault, it doesn't matter that your insurance paid out or not, the less contact you have with your car insurance company the better.

So I've searched the internetz and found out that a license plate number is indeed sufficient info to have in my case (in that the police or an insurance company can trace it and get all the info i want on the driver).

But yeah, as said above, I don't want to get my insurance company involved into this. Apparently, even if it's 0% my fault, my insurance rates can go up.

[B]Can I just call the police to find out HIS insurance info and then call them? Or if I do this, will they contact my insurance company?[/B]

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]So I've searched the internetz and found out that a license plate number is indeed sufficient info to have in my case (in that the police or an insurance company can trace it and get all the info i want on the driver).

But yeah, as said above, I don't want to get my insurance company involved into this. [B]Apparently, even if it's 0% my fault, my insurance rates can go up.[/B]

[B]Can I just call the police to find out HIS insurance info and then call them? Or if I do this, will they contact my insurance company?[/B][/QUOTE]


Bolded is absolutely true. Not only because of the accident "claim" but also because anytime you contact your insurance regarding an issue there is a good probability they will peek at your driving history which they don't typically do in the middle of your policy unless they have reason to.

Here's the issue. The damages in this case are so negligible that this kid or his parents aren't going to make a claim anyways. I'm virtually positive the police probably won't have his insurance information.

You can get his address see if you can find a land line number attached to it. Call it up. Start talking to whichever parent picks up the phone. Tell them your kid hit you and you have estimates for the damage, etc. Be reasonable and don't sound like a crazy person. You will have to balance a delicate social tightrope if you wanna successfully get that 200 back.


200 bucks is a sh*tty figure. It's in the realm of not being worth it to pursue in court but its enough where you could really use that cash. Like i said before, this is a prime example of why people always should document accidents. If this kid and his family put up a fight, you will never see that money again. That's why you got to be careful and try not to come of as a maniac when you are trying to collect.

[QUOTE=DukeDelonte13]DO NOT get your own insurance company involved.


If you have his license plate number you should be able to look up the address of the owner who registered the plate.

Get in contact with the kids parents; mail a letter certified or non, it doesn't matter.[/QUOTE]

Good idea. Would the police give me that info though? They probably would just think i want it so i could go jump the kid :oldlol:

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]Good idea. Would the police give me that info though? They probably would just think i want it so i could go jump the kid :oldlol:[/QUOTE]

i don't know if they will or not. Contact your state's DMV headquarters or check out their webpage online their might even be an online lookup.

Dude, it's 200 dollars, and you'll be lucky to save 100 of that after your deductible.

His license plate number should do you justice in finding him alone.

Find him, fhuck him in the ass and make him humble

[QUOTE=DukeDelonte13]i don't know if they will or not. Contact your state's DMV headquarters or check out their webpage online their might even be an online lookup.[/QUOTE]

Oh I see.

There are new developments to my story here: The auto-shop says they have to order a part for this for $200, making the total $400.

If this dude wasn't calling back when it was 200, no way will he call back for 400.

And I think 400 is enough to make me just report it, and deal with my insurance rates going up a little.

call your insurance company, subrogate it, and let them handle it from there.

if they find him at fault they'll reimburse you. $200 sounds awfully low, if i were you i'd go to a dealership and get another estimate and tell them to jack it up. then take it to the cheap shop and keep the difference.

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]Good idea. Would the police give me that info though? They probably would just think i want it so i could go jump the kid :oldlol:[/QUOTE]


No the police will not give you that info. And the police report will eventually show up through the DMV so your insurance company will find out about it no matter what.. trust me I know... I know you're afraid your rates will go up if you report but guess what they go up if you don't report it and they find out... lol

Your biggest problem could end up if the other driver turns it into their insurance company...


If you're not going to turn it into your insurance company you're pretty much screwed unless the kid comes out of hiding

Make him eat a d!ck

Always get the other person's info and detail any problems that showed up as a result of the accident. I say this having learned the hard way. Trust no one when it comes to an accident and assume they will try and short change you given the opportunity.

Even if you get fully reimbursed for the damages, your car value depreciates and you end up losing 100% of the time. You may as well make the persons responsible cover as much of that as you can.

[QUOTE=gts]No the police will not give you that info. And the police report will eventually show up through the DMV so your insurance company will find out about it no matter what.. trust me I know... I know you're afraid your rates will go up if you report but guess what they go up if you don't report it and they find out... lol

Your biggest problem could end up if the other driver turns it into their insurance company...


If you're not going to turn it into your insurance company you're pretty much screwed unless the kid comes out of hiding[/QUOTE]


you are really wrong on this..


1. There is no police accident report.

2. His insurance company will never find out and insurance companies do not care if you don't report accidents. There is no rule that you must report all accidents to your insurance. They are a private company, not a government agency. You aren't required to report anything at all to your insurance. It's their job to get the information about you, not your responsibility to volunteer information to them.


3. Most people have deductibles of 500 bucks. Let's say tmac has no deductible whatsoever. Even if they insurance company reimburses him in full, they will get their money back and then some after they raise his premiums.

The bottom line is is that Tmac will save more money if he just pays out of pocket for the accident.

[QUOTE=DukeDelonte13]you are really wrong on this..


1. There is no police accident report.

[/QUOTE]

He asked if he files a report with the police will they give him the address of the other driver..

Try and keep up

[QUOTE=gts]He asked if he files a report with the police will they give him the address of the other driver..

Try and keep up[/QUOTE]

All you need is the license plate to get the address of the person who registered the plates... already a step ahead...

[QUOTE=DukeDelonte13]All you need is the license plate to get the address of the person who registered the plates... already a step ahead...[/QUOTE]The police aren't giving you that info without an accident report :roll:

They probably won't give it to you with a report but you sure as hell aren't walking into a police station and getting that info with just a license number...

You could be some stalker or something

[QUOTE=DukeDelonte13]you are really wrong on this..


1. There is no police accident report.

2. His insurance company will never find out and insurance companies do not care if you don't report accidents. There is no rule that you must report all accidents to your insurance. They are a private company, not a government agency. You aren't required to report anything at all to your insurance. It's their job to get the information about you, not your responsibility to volunteer information to them.


3. Most people have deductibles of 500 bucks. Let's say tmac has no deductible whatsoever. Even if they insurance company reimburses him in full, they will get their money back and then some after they raise his premiums.

The bottom line is is that Tmac will save more money if he just pays out of pocket for the accident.[/QUOTE]


his rates won't go up at all if the other party is determined at fault. he won't have a deductible either.

he'd be a fool to not pursue the guy given the evidence which just amounts to contacting his insurance company and giving them all of the info to investigate it.

[QUOTE=Angel Face]Hire an assassin, get that kid assassinated.[/QUOTE]

That'd be wasting more money. Now he's giving out money to kill a kid who already owes him money. I mean if your anger points you in that direction, then by all means run that teenager (young adult, maybe?) into the ground, but it just doesn't make much sense from a financial perspective. Also, unless this kid's sole mention on this message board makes him the least bit notable, it would be murder instead of assassination.

So wait you didn't call the cops? How dumb is that. ALWAYS call the cops. This way he can't [B]REFUTE [/B]anything you say in court. Also, never handle sh*t out of good faith; should of called a lawyer or your insurance company. Who the f*ck do you think you are now .. Tom Cruise in a few good men? Leave it to the pros homeboy; you got f*cked over and now you're gonna learn your lesson.

Hell, even if you can't afford a lawyer, have car insurance, you can still make a small claim report in court and have a judge decide. There should be absolutely no excuse for you to handle this on your own. What a dumb move.

[QUOTE=IamRAMBO24]So wait you didn't call the cops? How dumb is that. ALWAYS call the cops. This way he can't [B]REFUTE [/B]anything you say in court. Also, never handle sh*t out of good faith; should of called a lawyer or your insurance company. Who the f*ck do you think you are now .. Tom Cruise in a few good men? Leave it to the pros homeboy; you got f*cked over and now you're gonna learn your lesson.

Hell, even if you can't afford a lawyer, have car insurance, you can still make a small claim report in court and have a judge decide. There should be absolutely no excuse for you to handle this on your own. What a dumb move.[/QUOTE]

I don't know anyone whos called the cops for an accident, maybe it's different here but all we do is take each others insurance details.

[QUOTE=RightToCensor]Trace his phone then rob his house and rape his sister[/QUOTE]
Reported. Rape is no joke :no:

sometimes you just gotta take justice into your own hands







[IMG]http://www.innovativelinkscorp.com/media/0c/a20791f138bd8c8acdea9_m.JPG[/IMG]

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]There wasn't much damage, so I told him I'd do him a favor and not report the accident and that he could just pay for the price of my auto-shop bill to fix the car.[/QUOTE]
Why would you do that?

[QUOTE=tmacattack33]So this kid rear-ended me a few days ago at a red light, and it was 100% his fault and he knew it and admitted it.

There wasn't much damage, so I told him I'd do him a favor and not report the accident and that he could just pay for the price of my auto-shop bill to fix the car.

So I went to the auto-shop for a quote and it was $200. I then texted this kid with the price and told him to meet me at a McDonald's or something to give me the money.

Now he is dodging my texts and calls.

What should I do at this point?

(Evidence that I have: I have pictures of the slight damage, and I have texts sent from this guy where he told me he would pay for the damage and he also implicitly admits that the accident was all his fault in these texts)

Info that I have: I have his license plate number and pictures of his car.


[B]TLDR: This kid hit my car and told me he'd pay to fix it. Now he is dodging my calls. [/B]


Edit: The auto-shop now told me it will cost $400 to repair.[/QUOTE]
If he doesn't answer report him to the police and be done with it. You try to be a good guy but if they can't be honorable they can just suck it.

It is a good thing you tried to be a good guy, you don't see that nowadays. It is a good thing you took a pic of his licence plate.

[QUOTE=ace23]Why would you do that?[/QUOTE]
Some people are just good guys bro.

[QUOTE=outbreak]I don't know anyone whos called the cops for an accident, maybe it's different here but all we do is take each others insurance details.[/QUOTE]

That's just stupid. Word of mouth don't mean anything in court. If you call the cops, he's going to do the proper investigation (which is needed to have a strong case based on his expertise) and bringing the law into the picture, you now have a backing that can make the guy pay or face the judge.

Without the cops, all he has to do is ignore your calls.

[QUOTE=Bandito]If he doesn't answer report him to the police and be done with it. You try to be a good guy but if they can't be honorable they can just suck it.

It is a good thing you tried to be a good guy, you don't see that nowadays. It is a good thing you took a pic of his licence plate.[/QUOTE]

I don't see anyone reason why you should take a strangers word at face value: you don't know the person, so how can you know how shady he can be? You don't, so you have to take extra precautions in situations like these.

Let's call it for what it was: [B]he was just being naive.[/B]

I'm thinking that you can just threaten to report based on the info you have, including the text that indicates he was going to pay. He may pay still to avoid it being reported.

[QUOTE=IamRAMBO24]I don't see anyone reason why you should take a strangers word at face value: you don't know the person, so how can you know how shady he can be? You don't, so you have to take extra precautions in situations like these.

Let's call it for what it was: [B]he was just being naive.[/B][/QUOTE]
He took a pic of the car license so he wasn't naive. If he didn't then yes I would say he was pretty stupid.

I am just the kind of person that tends to see the best in people, sue me.:confusedshrug: