So this past weekend I was hit while driving by an uninsured driver, and am looking to find out what my options are legally, as my deductible is pretty high at $1000. Cliffs at the bottom.
This is what happened, I was stopped at a red-light going eastbound, about to make a left turn to go north. My light turns green, and I start accelerating into my turn. As I start speeding up into the intersection, my eye catches a light on my left side, and I notice a van coming at high speeds towards me from my left (going southbound). I slam on the brakes, but am still moving forward with some momentum as the minivan swipes across my front bumper, and I crash soundly into its side as it flies in front of me. The van is still moving at high speeds perpendicular to my car as we crash.
I'm a little shaken but not otherwise injured, and got out of the car to take a look at the damage. It is a long deep rip on the right side of my front bumper, scratching my right headlight and fog light as well. The other driver had slowed to a stop about 20 yards away, and I start walking towards them to see if they're ok and to sort things out. Then I see them drive off. At this point I call the police and give them a report.
The dispatch calls me back about 10 min later saying the other driver had also called in, and the dispatch asks me to drive meet the police officer at the location of the other driver at a restaurant 2 blocks away. I discuss things with the officer, he tells me the other driver is from out of state and has no insurance, and will be ticketed for both leaving the scene of the accident and driving without insurance.
I got an initial damage assessment today that will cost $1200, and my deductible is $1000. I do have uninsured motorist coverage. Tomorrow I will call and talk to a lawyer to see what my options are. The above is the story that I will tell the lawyer, it is also basically what is on the police report.
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Cliffs:
1. Hit by an uninsured driver who drives off immediately after accident.
2. Other driver is found later and gets ticketed for driving with no insurance and leaving the scene of the accident.
3. My car will cost $1,200 to repair, my deductible is $1000.
I'd like to know what kinds of things to expect at this point, am I out $1000 for a high deductible? Can I get the other driver to pay for my deductible? What things should I know when talking to a lawyer and how do I know whether I have found a good one? Even unofficial answers from anandtech members would make me feel more comfortable as I start trying to sort things out.
This is what happened, I was stopped at a red-light going eastbound, about to make a left turn to go north. My light turns green, and I start accelerating into my turn. As I start speeding up into the intersection, my eye catches a light on my left side, and I notice a van coming at high speeds towards me from my left (going southbound). I slam on the brakes, but am still moving forward with some momentum as the minivan swipes across my front bumper, and I crash soundly into its side as it flies in front of me. The van is still moving at high speeds perpendicular to my car as we crash.
I'm a little shaken but not otherwise injured, and got out of the car to take a look at the damage. It is a long deep rip on the right side of my front bumper, scratching my right headlight and fog light as well. The other driver had slowed to a stop about 20 yards away, and I start walking towards them to see if they're ok and to sort things out. Then I see them drive off. At this point I call the police and give them a report.
The dispatch calls me back about 10 min later saying the other driver had also called in, and the dispatch asks me to drive meet the police officer at the location of the other driver at a restaurant 2 blocks away. I discuss things with the officer, he tells me the other driver is from out of state and has no insurance, and will be ticketed for both leaving the scene of the accident and driving without insurance.
I got an initial damage assessment today that will cost $1200, and my deductible is $1000. I do have uninsured motorist coverage. Tomorrow I will call and talk to a lawyer to see what my options are. The above is the story that I will tell the lawyer, it is also basically what is on the police report.
----------------------------------------------------
Cliffs:
1. Hit by an uninsured driver who drives off immediately after accident.
2. Other driver is found later and gets ticketed for driving with no insurance and leaving the scene of the accident.
3. My car will cost $1,200 to repair, my deductible is $1000.
I'd like to know what kinds of things to expect at this point, am I out $1000 for a high deductible? Can I get the other driver to pay for my deductible? What things should I know when talking to a lawyer and how do I know whether I have found a good one? Even unofficial answers from anandtech members would make me feel more comfortable as I start trying to sort things out.
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