What's an effective and LEGAL way of getting someone to fess up and file and insurance claim?

[vi edit]

My parked car was backed into last weekend. I wasn't in the car at the time. Myself and two other people heard a "crunch" and ran out and found that a woman had backed a Jeep Cherokee into my car. She gave me her insurance information, as well as her home phone number and address.

I know that the last two days have been rather chaotic, but she still had all of monday to file the claim. I've got estimates and have met with her insurance companies claims adjuster but can not go any further until she calls in and reports her claim.

She did about $2100 in damage to my car, so it isn't exactly a small amount of money to repair. Is it possible to get into contact with a personal property attourney and have him/her write up a formal letter to express my intent to go after her for the damages? I figured that I could have the lawyer put in some sort of ultimatum stating that she can contact her insurance company and face a minimal monetary increase in premiums, or face having to pay several thousand dollars out of her own pocket in a court of law.

Do I have some legal avenues that I can approach this with?

 

[StageLeft]

Man, I really hope she doesn't try and screw you on this one. I HATE AND DETEST people who do stuff like that. Let us know!

 

[hungrypete]

if all else fails, report it as a hit n run and tell them you have the plate number....

 

[vi edit]

The thing is, I have two eyewitnesses, one of which was a supervisor to BOTH of us. He also owns the property where the accident happened. It's not like I'm just pulling this out of my ass and trying to pin it on her. With two witnesses there when she appologized and said that she just didn't see me, she's pretty much up sh!t creek without a paddle.

 

[Frenchie]

Is it possible to get into contact with a personal property attourney and have him/her write up a formal letter to express my intent to go after her for the damages?

Absolutely. I write those letters all the time. Either file a claim with your insurance company (they pay you, then make the other company pay them) or go to an attorney who will put them on notice of the claim, formally ask for payment and offer to provide supporting documentation, and if needed threaten (and possibly file suit).

 

[EagleKeeper]

Turn it over to your insurance company with documentation of what happened and the followup comunications with the lady and her insurance adjusters. They will take it from there. Lawyer or court may cost you $$ that you will never see.