Well I've just had what will surely go down in history as one of the most horrible afternoons in my life.<p>I was at the bank at lunch, making a car payment. As I was leaving the lot I had a car accident with a girl coming into the lot. There were no stop signs anywhere, so one was at fault...but that's not the bad part. The bad part is that I had both no insurance and an expired registration. I received a citation for both of these issues that I have to pay in 30 days, but before I can pay them, I have to re-register my tag and get insurance, or I have to turn the tag in and agree not to drive the car.<p>
The accident wasn't bad at all...my car was only scratched and dented a small bit in the front, while her car was only slightly more banged-up on the left rear side where I hit her. No one was hurt, although she started saying that she *might* have back pain. She sure seemed fine to me, and said she was fine when she first was hit. It was only when she had a chance to "think about it" and after she had called her insurance company that she mentioned her back.<p>
My damages were estimated by the officer to be $1,500...hers were estimated to be $2,500 (I suppose because she may end up needing a new door, although the dents weren't that bad). So I'm now facing:<p>
* 2 $60.00 tickets<p>* The fee for registering my tag again<p>* Renewing my auto insurance (which will be astronomical)<p>* Being contacted by her insurance to pay damages<p>* A possible lawsuit if she makes a big deal of this (to my mind) imaginary back problem that sprouted up out of nowhere.<p>
Does anyone out there have an experience like this? How worried should I be about her trying to sue me?<p>
What a horrible, horrible day...I wish I had an explanation or justification for why I didn't have insurance or a current tag. I don't...it's only that I've been poor and behind on bills for so long that it's taking me forever to catch up. Stupid, stupid! What am I doing buying anything likes games or clothes when I should be paying for things like this? What is WRONG with me? I've been meaning for so long to pay for the registration and for getting insurance again...but there were always other things to pay for. I gambled that it was something that I could take care of after taking care of other more pressing issues...I gambled and I lost...big time.<p>
I'm scared...we were both fine...I don't want this girl to be an opportunist about this and sue me [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] <p>
How am I ever going to pay for all of this? I don't know what to do now. I could really use any advice or support that anyone has to offer right now [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img]

<<* 2 $60.00 tickets>><p>Get your tags and registration taken care of before court for the tickets. If you show that you have done this the court may go easy on you and charge less. If not, you should be able to make arrangements to make payments or something instead of footing the whole bill at once.<p><<* The fee for registering my tag again>><p>Not much else can be said about this, except to do it SOON.<p><<* Renewing my auto insurance (which will be astronomical)>><p>Talk to your agent and see what the minimum is you have to have. That will keep the cost down for now. Later, when your finances are better you can up your coverage to more of your liking, and/or change your deductibles if you want.<p><<* Being contacted by her insurance to pay damages>><p>Hopefully she has underinsured coverage, which will cover her car if the other person does not have insurance. Did she turn in front of you? If you were going straight, you had the right of way (stop sign or no) and hence she is at fault. <p><<* A possible lawsuit if she makes a big deal of this (to my mind) imaginary back problem that sprouted up out of nowhere.>><p>This is certainly a possibility, but not worth stressing about. You can't change it, so just go with it. See what comes of it. See what she is asking for, should this arise. There is still the possibility she won't claim any injuries. If she does claim injuries, fault must be established in order to seek payment from you. If she cannot prove you were at fault, you are not responsible for payment of anything. <p>I hope this helps. Right now all you can really do is wait and see what happens. Don't let it ruin your weekend (Easter).<p>Take care.

Well...that came out kinda funny...<p>The accident was ruled no fault...because it was at an intersection and there were no stop signs. There was a white line where I was pulling out, but I had the right of way (or so the cop said).<p>Thanks for the replies, all [img]images/icons/smile.gif" border="0[/img]<p>[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: TowardsTheFuture ]</p>

maybe she has uninsured.... coverage... be glad you are not in tx.. no insurance ticket could run over $300 or more.... she will have to be very hurt to have injuries to claim.... did she pull out in front you? If you do not have funds... they cannot get money from you. there are many ways to divert your assets if she does try to sue you directly, most people only sue if there is insurance or an abilty to pay by the quilty party... if you are quilty.... hmmm... sorry for the accident... I think you will be fine... just give it time, and take care of what you can quickly.... is the lack of reg. etc... due to seperation, stress, etc... explain this in court... you may need an attorney,... seek this help if you need it.<p>Hugs, H