Hit and Run

SK2003TypeS · 08-09-06, 12:44

Hi All,

I haven't been here all year. Too busy and it's just been a Non-Autopian year.

Anyway, got tagged yesterday.

A Jeep Cherokee clipped my front left bumper/headlight area. I was parked and actually saw the jeep elevate as it crunched by.

I was able to get the license plate before he sped off. Waited for police. I called this morning and I should be able to get the accident report # tomorrow.

Got a quote to repaint the bumper for $350. A few light skuffs on the headlight and quarterpanel which look fixable to a point I'd be able to live with. I'll take a better look this afternoon to see what can and can't be done. Also a small ding in the quarter panel.

After cooling off today, I'm already leaning not to go through insurance, etc. and just bite the bullet.

What would you do ?
TIA

awahl63 · 08-09-06, 01:03

I just let it go...I was hit last summer by an old lady and she just drove off in her uninsured buick...

velobard · 08-09-06, 01:23

For that price, I'd just swallow hard and pay. It bites, but that's not enough to justify a hit on your insurance. Even if they let this one pass without boosting your rates, they'll remember it if something else happens and be quicker to raise them next time. Just cross your fingers the guy's tag number will eventually lead to $.

smprince1 · 08-09-06, 01:31

Best to not get the insurance involved unless it is a catastrophic loss. Most insurance companies put you in a different risk category once you put in a claim, even if it is not your fault. Not exactly fair ... but I found out the hard way. Good luck to you and sorry about your recent bad luck.

twitch · 08-09-06, 01:57

If you have the license # you know who the person is so make them pay for it. If not take them to court. I was in the same situation as you were 2 years ago. I let it go, paid my insurance deductible, and had it taken care of.

I still regret at times not taking the wrongdoer to court. It's just not right for someone to hit you then decide not to fess up for their actions. Honest people like you and I would have stopped and taken care of the situation at hand. The honest people need to keep the dishonest at bay by not letting them take advantage of situations as such.

Good luck.

BigAl3 · 08-09-06, 03:28

sorry to hear about this. it's ironic, my neighbor's car got hit last night while parked out in the street. people these days....

eyeguy1 · 08-09-06, 04:49

If the guy had stopped I would've let him get by with the $350 and leave it at that. Since he ran off, I'd stick his insurance co. for everything to be fixed and replaced. Since you filed a report, the police may charge him anyway, who knows.
And if that Jeep elevated when it happened, the guy knows he did it. I'm sure he didn't drive away not knowing.

deadlock32 · 08-09-06, 11:12

I dunno, I depends on your insurance. I've got state farm hand have had it for a while as well as my parents have had it for a good amount of time. I got into a small accident about a year ago, with no damage to the car in front, though I cracked my fiberglass front end. I got a ticket and such. Not only did my rates not go up... they went DOWN about 50 dollars ^_^

pwrstrk02 · 08-09-06, 11:17

not too many people have a deductible under five hundred. you?

xtremeclean · 08-10-06, 12:01

I would be nice and ask the person who hit you if they were willing to pay for it out of pocket or by way of their insurance. If they would not I would the go after the person who hit you in small claims court. If you go this route make sure that you sue him/her for all expenses involved in the process: loss of work, filing fees, rental car, etc..

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwrstrk02

not too many people have a deductible under five hundred. you?

All of my autos are $250. The price difference between a $250 and $500 deductible was pocket change in my case for the entire year.

velobard · 08-10-06, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwrstrk02

not too many people have a deductible under five hundred. you?

I lowered my comp deductible to $100 because it was affordable, but when I asked about lowering my collision deductible from $500 to $250 it was something like $90 every 6 months. I couldn't justify that. Considering that my car is in the shop right now for a comp claim, I'm glad I lowered that one. One thing bugs me how they label claims, since tree branch hit my car while it was parked it was comp, but if one fell on my roof or trunk while the car was moving it would be collision.

jdhutchin · 08-10-06, 07:27

If it was their fault, you don't have to go through your insurance at all- you can deal directly with the other insurance company. As you were fully parked, it doesn't seem like there's much question about it, and hit-and-run makes it worse. I would definitely spend some time trying to get the money out of the other person.