So am I screwed?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I was just in an accident this morning.

It wasn’t my fault, And I’m not hurt.

This other guy ran a light and I tagged him. My car is a bit banged up, but it’s sorta driveable.

Anyway, I called the insurance (same company as him) and told them about it and they said that they will get back to me when they talk to him. If he claims responsibility then I’m golden and his policy will be billed for the damage, not mine.
But, if he spins some bullshit I’m going to have to come up with $500.

Can I sue him? How can I prove that it was really his fault? Can the cops look at the timing on the light and tell that it was green? Am I going to have to rely on him to tell the truth?

:confused:

–==Mike==–

2

Was an accident report written up by the police?

3

You guys left the scene without a cop there? You’re pretty much at his mercy now, but don’t dispair, plenty of honest people around (no sarcasm intended or implied).

4

No, No…

I called the police and I told them what happened. An officer took the accident report and all, but didn’t issue him a citation for running the light.

5

Sure you can. This is America, sweetie. You can sue anyone, for anything, at any time. I could bring a suit against you right now for punching me in the nose. You and I both know that it’s not true, but I can still file the suit. Now, whether you’ll win, that’s another story.

A lawsuit will be more costly than $500, unless you take him to small claims, and act as your own attorney. If you decide to get a lawyer, count on at least a thousand dollars, and that’s getting off pretty cheap. Also, it will take a LOOOOONG time.

If the verdict goes your way, and that’s a pretty big IF, given your lack of evidence, there’s the secondary problem of getting him to pay. If he refuses, you’ll have to take him back to court a few more times, possibly garnishing his wages. But if he quits his job (as some people will do in order to avoid payment) you’re back at square one.

6

The cop doesn’t have to write a ticket at the scene to prove fault. What does the accident report say? If it says the other driver is at fault then it will be up to him to prove he isn’t.

7

they don’t give you a copy at the scene, but I’m betting that it will say he is at fault, since that’s what I told him and the other guy didn’t disagree.

good.

He is probably loaded, as he goes to SMU and has a nice enough car. Hopefully it won’t be much of an ordeal.