Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    RandomGuy123's Avatar
    RandomGuy123 Posts: 2, Reputation: 2
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jul 13, 2009, 08:35 PM
    Hit driver who ran red light, no license, have insurance
    Hello, I hit a speeding driver running from the cops on a semi-busy intersection. I was following the law (the light was green), but the driver ran a red light and I hit him, so it wasn't my fault at all and I didn't get ticked for not having a license. In fact I didn't get in trouble at all, but the speeding driver did get in trouble of coarse, and there was like 20 witnesses...

    The speeding driver had a license and insurance. I had no license and my dad has the vehicle (it's his) insured, I'm 17 by the way. The damage was moderate and gave me whiplash...

    My dad hasn't been contacted by the other guys insurance company, and has contacted his own insurance company and they said to wait till the speeding driver's insurance company contacts him. It's been almost two weeks.

    Please help, what can happen in this situation. My dad can't afford to repair the car out-of-pocket. I'm going to be 18 soon also. I don't know what is going to happen :(

    What to do, what to do...
    Just Dahlia's Avatar
    Just Dahlia Posts: 2,155, Reputation: 445
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Jul 13, 2009, 08:41 PM
    Maybe you should say what state you are in, there are different laws.

    In California my son under 18 and living at home (depending on insurance) was covered under my policy. Which is why I never let him drive my car.
    BevJohn's Avatar
    BevJohn Posts: 7, Reputation: 0
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jul 13, 2009, 08:58 PM

    I have been hit by a person who did not have a license but the car was insured and that insurance covered my repairs. But you have to realize, it really depends on what type and how much insurance that person has.If the speeding driver's insurance doesn't cover the repairs due to you not having a license, I think you should get a job and pay for the repairs because why should your father have to pay for your mistake but then again why did he let you drive the vehicle in the first place! These are just my opinions, you will have to play the wait and see game!
    nikosmom's Avatar
    nikosmom Posts: 1,611, Reputation: 488
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Jul 13, 2009, 10:14 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by BevJohn View Post
    I have been hit by a person who did not have a license but the car was insured and that insurance covered my repairs. But you have to realize, it really depends on what type and how much insurance that person has.If the speeding driver's insurance doesn't cover the repairs due to you not having a license, I think you should get a job and pay for the repairs b/c why should your father have to pay for your mistake but then again why did he let you drive the vehicle in the first place!!These are just my opinions, you will have to play the wait and see game!!
    Bev this info isn't legally factual. Whether the OP had a license or not actually has nothing to do with the other driver's insurance paying for the damages. The other person ran the red light (with witnesses present) which puts him/her at fault.

    OP, you got lucky you weren't ticketed for driving without a license so there's no need to address that issue because you won't get a ticket at this point. Even if you did, it has no bearing on the claim.

    If your father hasn't heard from the other driver's insurance company at this point, he can file the claim with his insurance company and let them seek the damages. Since you've said the other person is insured, I don't foresee a problem as long as the policy was in effect at the time of the accident.

    Assuming the other driver is at fault for running the light (witnessed by the officer that was following him), his policy will be liable for your injuries and damages.

    So what to do... your dad should call and insist on filing the claim with his company to get things moving because 2 weeks is adequate time to hear from the other company.
    HelpinHere's Avatar
    HelpinHere Posts: 1,062, Reputation: 144
    Ultra Member
     
    #5

    Jul 13, 2009, 10:22 PM

    Have you tried contacting the OTHER DRIVER'S insurance provider?
    I'm hoping you got the information, because if not, it sounds like you got ripped off.

    Call, and DEMAND to know what is going on. If they tell you to wait, tell them it's been two weeks, you have a right to know when your damage is going to be repaired. If they say the don't have the authorization, ask for a manager. If you get no luck with her/him, demand to be connected to an owner/representitive of the insurance company. Threaten to take THAT person, the highest in line from the information you were given, to court to sue for damages. Not only will they not want the legal ramifications, but the company they obviously have a foothold in will get bad publicity. That will get results.

    In the slim chance that it will not, you have the police statement, and like twenty witnesses. You shouldn't even need a lawyer to get a judge to rule in your favor. Get the car paid off and get on with your life.

    That is all, of course, if you weren't lying to us. If any part of your story that you told us that relates to the above method is false, you may have problems there.
    But, since you admitted to driving without a license, I wouldn't assume you're lying.

    Good Luck!

    PS: Tisk tisk tisk, driving illegally! You should be ashamed! *wags finger*

    EDIT: At least, where I'm from, you are allowed to do this. I'm not sure how the laws exist relating to this type of legal action where you're from.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

National Driver License [ 7 Answers ]

In a article I read in my local paper regarding the National Driver License, part of the Real ID Act that the Federal Governments wants. It is coming apparent the If the states do not comply, than citizen of that state will not be allow to board and planes of enter any Federal Building, Ex.(Post...

Insurance Co. Not Paying-driver w/o license was hit [ 2 Answers ]

In Texas, if you were driving without a license and were struck by another car and that car was considered "at fault' could an insurance company refuse to pay a claim because of this?

Driver License Exam [ 1 Answers ]

Hi, I recently began studying the booklet to drive a car (I'm 16 years old). I'm just at step one so I was wondering about a few things and thought I might ask here for Older Teens or Adults who have already taken the exam. Is the exam hard? How far do you need to study? I heard from a...


View more questions Search