Rearended by bimbo w/ no ins, What now?

[Podunkadunk]

In 2003, I think it was February, I was rear-ended by a retired school teacher. She was driving a very large Mercedes-Benz that ironically (she told me after the accident) she had saved to buy for 30 years. It was paid for, fully insured etc. All went extremely well. She was nice, her car was really smashed up badly and my truck had a bent under bumper, my tow package was smashed up and the spare tire had been flattened from the impact. When she hit me, I was looking left and took a pretty good snapback to my neck. No problem, I went to the doctor that day, had an xray, nothing hurt...I never intended on suing her, never crossed my mind. I just wanted to make sure all was ok before I went on with my life.

MY INSURANCE PREMIUM WENT UP at my next renewal date!!!!!

On the renewal policy letter, it didn't say why, but I put two and two together, so I called. They hem-hawed around, saying it was an insurance rate hike nationwide, rates were due to rise anyhow, yada yada.

I kept calling and finally, I got hold of a "good ole boy" who wouldn't mind telling me the scoop. He said my rates went up because I was in an accident, regardless of fault.

There was nothing I could do about it. Another fact is, it followed me to my next ins. company (I left them) because of a little known insurance reporting agency called C.L.U.E.

C.L.U.E. is like a credit report on someone, but instead of credit rating, it's your insurance rating.

It haunted me for 3 years...not by much, but it was there and caused my rates to be a LITTLE higher than if nothing was on C.L.U.E. regarding the school teacher accident.

IT SUCKS. Insurance companies scam the **** out of us all the time.

 

[LBrown59]

There was nothing I could do about it. Another fact is, it followed me to my next ins. company (I left them) because of a little known insurance reporting agency called C.L.U.E.

C.L.U.E. is like a credit report on someone, but instead of credit rating, it's your insurance rating.

It haunted me for 3 years...not by much, but it was there and caused my rates to be a LITTLE higher than if nothing was on C.L.U.E. regarding the school teacher accident.

IT SUCKS. Insurance companies scam the **** out of us all the time.

Them and the banks.
One of them is as bad as the other.

 

[CharlieTR]

Not sure if I am repeating what someone else posted (did't read them all), but to answer your original question. I have taken someone to small claims court. In my state (TX) you are required to file in the county where that other person lives. Just go to that County's Justice of the Peace (JP) and fill out one form. File it and pay a small fee, record all fuel, expenses of filing.

The guy I sued was in jail, the Constable found him in another county jail. So the JP just sent me a letter saying I won. 30 days later after no payment, I filed a writ with same JP and then I think 10 days later the Constable went to seize his property, auctioned it off and sent me my $$$.

Regarding JPs, their limit is $5000 and they can only award money, nothing else.

 

[dfkrug]

As for the post saying you can't get blood out of a turnup, you can put the turnups *** in jail.

Hooked (on horsepower, not Hewlett-Packard, I assume):

I read this whole thread and you are the first to hit this nail on the head.
If you don't follow up when hit by an uninsured motorist, how long will
it be before s/he victimizes someone else? Sure it is inconvenient, but we
need to get these drivers off the road. I have been hit by uninsured
drivers, too, but I have a good company (21st Century) that does not
raise rates for not-at-fault accidents. Change companies if yours does.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornrn Guys,
Well it happened again! Who says history cant repeat itself Im at my little ATM this mornin, I walk out and who is parked in the only Handicapped spot available ? yep, a big ford dump truck with a sander and the big angle plow that splits in the middle ! I walk out of the ATM vestibule to meet this landscaper who has to be 6'2" tall with a good 40 lbs on me, oh yeah and about 30 years younger also So not sleeping well last night, I tell this guy straight off, " Youve got to be kidding right ? " direct quote from scott_vt Oh, Ill only be here a minute he states !.... so I say " Oh really ", at about that time I realize its time to get my 5' 10 " ...180 lb frame in my pickup before Im in serious trouble...

I was gonna give him " my brother-in-law is in a wheel chair rant " but thought better of it

God made a lot of stupid people, and I cant fix everything thats wrong in this world ! Just another day !

 

[Podunkadunk]

Mornrn Guys,
Well it happened again! Who says history cant repeat itself Im at my little ATM this mornin, I walk out and who is parked in the only Handicapped spot available ? yep, a big ford dump truck with a sander and the big angle plow that splits in the middle ! I walk out of the ATM vestibule to meet this landscaper who has to be 6'2" tall with a good 40 lbs on me, oh yeah and about 30 years younger also So not sleeping well last night, I tell this guy straight off, " Youve got to be kidding right ? " direct quote from scott_vt Oh, Ill only be here a minute he states !.... so I say " Oh really ", at about that time I realize its time to get my 5' 10 " ...180 lb frame in my pickup before Im in serious trouble...

I was gonna give him " my brother-in-law is in a wheel chair rant " but thought better of it

God made a lot of stupid people, and I cant fix everything thats wrong in this world ! Just another day !

I'm surprised the handicap police (handicapped person with a ticket book) didn't stop in and write him a ticket. I used to see them doing that all the time when I lived in Florida. Steep fine too, like 500.00 bucks.

 

[dbdartman]

... and who is parked in the only Handicapped spot available ?
...this landscaper who has to be 6'2" tall with a good 40 lbs on me...

Sounds like my little brother... before the accident that confined him to a wheel chair over 25 years ago, except he was about 6'4"... Yea, people like that should not only get a healthy fine, but also be LOCKED into a wheel chair for a couple days minimum!

 

[AlanB]

Sounds like my little brother... before the accident that confined him to a wheel chair over 25 years ago, except he was about 6'4"... Yea, people like that should not only get a healthy fine, but also be LOCKED into a wheel chair for a couple days minimum!

Now that would be justice, anyone caught parked in a handicapped parking spot that did not have the right authorizations would be strapped into a wheelchair for a week.

Tell them you are now welcome to use those spots for the next week, and can continue to use them so long as you remain strapped in the wheelchair.

I bet having to spend a week in a chair would cure most of those folks of wanting to do that.

I tried to spend a day in one once to see what it was like. Made me much more thankfull for the blessing's I sometimes take for granted.

 

[tallyho8]

I have not ever and hope that I never park in a handicap spot. However, I do get pretty upset sometimes when I have to park a block away from the Home Depot because their lot is full and there are 16 empty handicap parking spaces right up front.

 

[KubotaSteve]

So... the Ins Co got their $87... IN PENNIES!!!!!

Yea, it cost me nearly $25 to send it. Yes, it was sent "return receipt." Yes, even to make things more interesting, I made sure there were 7¢ extra in the payment, just so they would be forced to cut me a refund check. Yes, as soon as the refund check arrived, I changed Ins Co's!

While it sounds funny and might make you feel good, you aren't really hurting the people that are screwing you over. If anything you are just punishing the little guy who has to either process it. It's sort of like screaming at the guy who is waiting on you at a fast food place because the prices are so high and he doesn't have a thing to do with prices.