Need some car accident advice

[Coventina]

Last night my SO rear ended a lady. Not very badly, but there was a little damage to both cars.

When they got out and started talking, the woman was unable to provide registration, proof of insurance (required in our state) or even a driver's license.

SO wanted to call the police, but the woman talked him out of it, saying they could settle with just insurance. She insisted she HAD insurance, just not the little official card you are supposed to have in your car. She gave him a company name and a policy number.

Today SO called the woman's insurance company, but the number was invalid. Now he is getting belligerant phone calls from the woman's husband, threatening legal action, etc. SO just got off the phone with the police. The police said they will not take the report after the fact. They will not get involved.

What should we do now?

[Field Of Dreams]

1. Consult an attorney?

[GOPisEvil]

2. Report the incident to your insurance agent.

Your SO is at fault (at least here in TX he would be presumed at fault because of the collision was a rear-ender). Call your insurance agent; have them deal with it. He made a mistake not getting the police involved.

[Coventina]

4. No question he is at fault.

He's not trying to argue that at all. He's just worried that they are going to try and claim all kinds of damages (the woman's car was banged up already) that he isn't responsible for.

He did make a mistake in not calling the PD. He'll be properly punished for that!
:spank:

The problem was that he was trying to be nice, and figured (at the time) he had nothing to lose.

[GOPisEvil]

7. Yeah, that's the best reason to call the cops...

..the cops, in theory anyway, are impartial as to injuries and damage. Plus, filing a flase report is a crime, so theoretically again, someone wouldn't lie on an offical report.

:spank: him a few times for me too! He deserves it! :D

[notadmblnd]

3. The SO would be at fault in the state of Michigan

Just make a record of it at the police department and forget about it. You can turn it into your insurance to get it fixed but you'll have to pay deductable and your rates will probably go up.

[Coventina]

6. Police already refused to take a report

Our insurance would normally work it out with their insurance, except that they don't seem to HAVE insurance, which is against the law here in AZ.

They want us to give them the money their mechanic friend says he needs to fix the car.

[david_vincent]

5. If they're calling and threatening, wouldn't that be harrassment,

in which case the police would have to get involved?

[Coventina]

8. No physical threats yet, just legal threats

But believe me, if they make them we will get the police involved.

[GregW]

9. So the next call goes something like this ...

*RING*RING*

SO: "Hello"
Hubby: "Gimme my godamn money or I'll sue"
SO: "My attorney has advised me to let the insurance companies handle this. Please provide your insurance company name, valid phone number, and policy number. If you cannot, then my attorney has advised me to report you to the police as being an uninsured motorist."

[Coventina]

10. Sounds good!

:thumbsup:

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Consult an attorney that you can trust ASAP

Only he can protect your rights and advise you properly, unless you find a lawyer on DU, which is not unlikey. When I got hit, my lawyer said no one in an accident ever wins, but it is up to you to make those responsible take care of their obligations. Good luck and God bless; I've been there.