Driver rearended me and then fled the seen

[Qfrank]

State of Georgia-

The driver of an old, large Cadillac slammed into the rear end of my vehicle while I was stopped at a red light. The driver proceeded to drive away, crossed the median of the 4-lane highway we were on and into oncoming traffic.

He then ditched the car of the shoulder of the road, got out and ran. The police showed up about 5 minutes later and took statements from myself and other witnesses.

The police were only able to tell me that the vehicle was registered and that it was not reported stolen. There were two other witnesses to the accident that gave their report to the police officer. Before I left for the hospital via ambulance, the police officer gave me a case report # and told me to pick up the report next week.

I suffered broken rib and musculoskeletal back injury as well as significant damage to the back of my car.

My questions are: 1. Who will pay for my damages? 2. What if the Cadillac’s owner claims no responsibility? 3. Should I get a lawyer or should I try to settle with the insurance company?

Thank you for your advice.
Frank

 

[seniorjudge]

1. I cannot predict the future.

2. I cannot predict the future.

3. Whose insurance company?

 

[Qfrank]

1. I cannot predict the future.

2. I cannot predict the future.

3. Whose insurance company?

That was very helpful advice. To answer your question, the other driver's insurance.

 

[seniorjudge]

That was very helpful advice. To answer your question, the other driver's insurance.

Ah! Now we are getting somewhere.

Sit down while I pull some teeth.

You have been in contact with the other guy's insurance company?

What does the police report say about the incident?

What have the other two witnesses said to you about this accident?

Do you have written statements from them?

What does YOUR insurance company say about this?

Why would you think the guy would try to deny it?

 

[Qfrank]

Reply

Ah! Now we are getting somewhere.

Sit down while I pull some teeth.

You have been in contact with the other guy's insurance company? ( I do not have his insurance information)

What does the police report say about the incident? (there is no police report filed yet, I was told to check back in two days!?)

What have the other two witnesses said to you about this accident? (They talked to me at the accident, asked me if I was ok and described what they saw... which was the same exact story as mine with a few additional details, including that the driver was a black man in his 30's.)

Do you have written statements from them? I didn't have the presence of mind at that time to get written statements from the witnesses)

What does YOUR insurance company say about this? (my insurance.. Allstate... said that if the other driver's insurance doesn't pay the damages then, my policy will cover it, however it will most likely increase my rates.)

Why would you think the guy would try to deny it? (judging by the behavior at the seen of the accident... hit and run, and fleeing the seen. Even if it wasn't him and maybe a friend who was borrowing the car that just doesn't look good!)

 

[teflon_jones]

1. Who will pay for my damages?

The other car owner's insurance company.

2. What if the Cadillac’s owner claims no responsibility?

If the car wasn't reported stolen, then they have no basis for this claim.

3. Should I get a lawyer or should I try to settle with the insurance company?

What would the lawyer be doing?
Which insurance company?

 

[seniorjudge]

Ah! Now we are getting somewhere.

Sit down while I pull some teeth.

You have been in contact with the other guy's insurance company? ( I do not have his insurance information)

What does the police report say about the incident? (there is no police report filed yet, I was told to check back in two days!?)

What have the other two witnesses said to you about this accident? (They talked to me at the accident, asked me if I was ok and described what they saw... which was the same exact story as mine with a few additional details, including that the driver was a black man in his 30's.)

Do you have written statements from them? I didn't have the presence of mind at that time to get written statements from the witnesses)

What does YOUR insurance company say about this? (my insurance.. Allstate... said that if the other driver's insurance doesn't pay the damages then, my policy will cover it, however it will most likely increase my rates.)

Why would you think the guy would try to deny it? (judging by the behavior at the seen of the accident... hit and run, and fleeing the seen. Even if it wasn't him and maybe a friend who was borrowing the car that just doesn't look good!)

Get that police report and file a claim with the guy's insurance.