by ofunnyone » Wed Oct 01, 2008 07:37 am
Here's what happened in a nutshell:
There was a male riding his bicyle in the middle of my lane (two way road) in the middle of 7:30 am rush hour. Waited & then went around him, sun glaring in my eyes, I hit a parked car (stopped @ red light.) Minimum damanges to my vechile. I left the scene in ambluance- didn't see any of the damages to either car until I got out of hospital & only saw my car.
Come to find out my ensurance was cancelled, since my 6 month policy was up @ the end of August. Never was in an accident before. What happens now? I am not trying to get out of paying- I did hit the car & was given a ticket. Am a college student, and make $2.65 per hr as a waiteress- funds are low. Going to college on grants. I fixed my ensurance now, but during the accident- the coverage was not there. What do I do? Am I going to be sued? I don't want to go to jail- this was an honest mistake!! I need my license to go to college/work--!
Help!!!
There was a male riding his bicyle in the middle of my lane (two way road) in the middle of 7:30 am rush hour. Waited & then went around him, sun glaring in my eyes, I hit a parked car (stopped @ red light.) Minimum damanges to my vechile. I left the scene in ambluance- didn't see any of the damages to either car until I got out of hospital & only saw my car.
Come to find out my ensurance was cancelled, since my 6 month policy was up @ the end of August. Never was in an accident before. What happens now? I am not trying to get out of paying- I did hit the car & was given a ticket. Am a college student, and make $2.65 per hr as a waiteress- funds are low. Going to college on grants. I fixed my ensurance now, but during the accident- the coverage was not there. What do I do? Am I going to be sued? I don't want to go to jail- this was an honest mistake!! I need my license to go to college/work--!
Help!!!
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 07:51 am Post Subject:
9 views.... and no advice?
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 07:52 am Post Subject:
If the other party has collision insurance, they will probably file a claim with their own carrier and once that is done, the other person's carrier will seek reimbursement from you. My guess is that they will probably offer to set you up on a payment plan. You will probably also get a big bill from the hospital for your medical treatment.
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 07:57 am Post Subject:
Even If I have medical insurance? The medical part- isn't that covered by my own health insurance? I am kicking myself for going- I should have had a friend drive me to the hospital instead of the ambluance.
A payment plan gives me slight relief. Judging by the hour- I cannot sleep at all- since my father got into my head, telling me that I could go to jail or be sued for everything I own (which isnt' much.) Do they just set up a payment plan, or garnish wages?
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:05 am Post Subject:
Honey, you'll be fine..and have learned a very valueable lesson...yes your health ins will cover your treatments...you will be contacted by the other vehicles ins carrier they will take a statement about what happened be honest and truthful...after they pay for their insured's damages their subrogation dept will come to you for repayment...tell them, 'hey i'm a poor college student i can pay blank amount a month until it's paid for i have a better job..'' i intend to be responsible " don't let anyone bully or pressure you...you will NOT go to jail...you could get a judgement and garnishment...but most won't go to that length as long as you're not hiding from them...dad is probably trying to just scare you...might want to tell him that if he's an owner of your vehicle he could be on the hook too... :wink: (he really could)....stay calm let us know if you have any other questions...nothing to lose any sleep over..just be honest and upfront, and take responsibility for your mistake and this will be over before you know it...was there a person in the car you hit? if so were they injured? One other thing if I'm understanding you right....was that person on the bike supposed to be there? if not I'd plead it's their fault...not yours... :wink:
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:10 am Post Subject:
Please stop panicking, I don't think that you may have to go to jail, driving without insurance is illegal though.
They may garnish your wage depending upon your state laws. Which state are you from, by the way? Has the accident happened in the same state you are presently residing?
I haven't understood the health insurance part. Were you injured in the accident? Your health insurer may cover the expenses of your medical care, but it certainly will not cover the expenses of the other person's injuries. Hence, along with the property damages, you'll also be responsible for the other guy's medical expenses.
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:18 am Post Subject:
Honey, even if the other party sues you and gets a judgment, it doesn't mean that you can be put in jail for non-payment. Also, the judgment will not get enacted if you don't have enough assets that can be used for liquidation for paying the other party.
You'll just be fine, and as Lori has said have learnt a lesson of lifetime. So, try not to lose your auto coverage in the future.
Take care, Cassandra
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 01:51 pm Post Subject:
I will echo everyone else. You aren't going to jail.
First - if the owner of the other vehicle had insurance, odds are his/her damages will be covered. Yes, they will come after you to pay the insurance company back, but I don't see any reason they won't set up a payment plan.
Second - your medical insurance sure pay for everything. If there is a co-pay, you will be responsible for that portion - and possibly have to make payment arrangments for it.
Whatever arrangement the auto insurance and medical insurance companies make with you, fulfill them. And stay in contact with them. Do not blow off the payments and not return phone calls. It will no doubt go on your credit report and you will pay for that for a few years.
Lesson learned - DO NOT drive without insurance. Where I would never recommend the "minimum" required, even if you had just that, you would not be in this situation.
Hang in there. It will be fine.
Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 12:07 am Post Subject:
I feel for you. Just look towards the future and think a few years from now this will just be a distant memory. Like the others said it was a lesson well learned.
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:43 pm Post Subject:
Hello & thank you to all that responded-
You have put my mind at ease- and I thank you for your input. The person I rear-ended was not injured at all. I was the only one hurt. The police officer knew of the local 'nut' on the bicycle- I manuvered around- but did not find him on the scene (happened near residential housing- could have gone through any side sreets) I live in michigan and the accident did happen in michigan.
I have a court date for my ticket- but not until next month. I am nervous & wonder what will happen. I have had the hospital call for my auto insurance info- but not sure what to say to them. I did not have coverage during the accident- and I was not aware. Should I just inform the hospital of this? I did have the person I rear-end call me, and try to obtain my auto insurance information. I said I would look into it, and that's when i found the no-coverage. (had a 6 month policy instead of a 12 month and wasnt aware of the expiration.) Have coverage now. My dad is the co-ownr on the car- is he going to be involved in this?
I'm at a stand point- Should I wait until the court date to find out what exactly is going to happen to my case? Should I wait for the other person's insurance company to contact me? (they have not as of this date.) Should I get a lawyer? What should I expect in court? Is my father going to be fined? The police were not aware of my no-coverage, as I was not either.
Any more information/advice- please.
Thank you-
Ofunny
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:08 pm Post Subject:
Wait for your court date. Make sure you take proof of insurance to court with you. Since the officer didn't ask you at the scene if you had insurance, I'm sure they will ask you in court. DO NOT LIE and say you had it. Tell the truth and also tell them you have it now and have the proof with you.
I would also wait for the other insurance company to contact you. Don't worry about a lawyer until you find out what is happening.
It's very, very doubtful that your parents will be drug into this. You are over 18 and it is now your responsibility. But again, let everyone contact you.
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