Hit and run - ok in CA?

I was inside my client's house when my car got hit by his neighbour. She left the scene almost immediately, but I saw her car and there was a guy outside who knows her and told me what happend.

I called 911. Cops got her cell phone number and talked to her. She said she left a note but that's a lie (you can't do that in 30 sec). She also told them she'll call me and pay for the damage.

Well, she called and said she's sorry and stuff. I had 2 _CHEAPEST_ estimates ready so I told her it's gonna be over $500 (not incl. rental car for 3-4 days or anthing else).

She said she won't pay more than 100 bucks, 'cause "her guys" told her so and she also won't pay for rental because it can be done in a day. She wants 3 estimates...

When I asked for her license plate # and policy # she said she doesn't want to use her insurance for this and again asked for 3 estimates.

So what should I do now? She won't give her insurance info and she won't pay more than $100.
Additional Details
Thanks for all your answers guys! One more question: should I charge her for a rental car (I can't spend 3 or 4 days without a car) or is it too much?

Marianne D

You have the paper trail, if she doesn't want to go through her insurance you can scare her into getting more money. Go to a lawyer or if you have a lawyer friend have him/her draw up a paper stating that you'll settle for x amount of money or actually take her to court for more. Your facts are that she left the scene (you have a witness) and officer 'so and so' took the report (give as much technical details as you can) that it's in her best interest that she settle by the specified date. You tried to be fair and presented her with options and she's trying to screw you... screw her back.

Peedlepup

You can sue her in small claims court, but all they can do is enter a judgment against her. Actually collecting on the judgment will be your responsibility. Have fun trying to do that.
(however if she has a really nice car, you can put a lien on it and she can't sell / trade it until she pays the judgment,
or just have the Marshall pick it up for a lien sale.)

I would just file a claim with my insurance carrier under the "uninsured motorist" provisions. Let them go after her, they have more ways of doing it.

ruyu t

go and check insurance (no have she mati under your magnum)

mati: die in bahasa indonesia

JustMe

go to the police. and your insurance company will help too.

goldwing127959

First off tell her who the hell does she think she is dictating what she wants . Tell her This. Look Bit#$ you hit my car now pay up, You want 3 estimates tuff. Pay up or take her to court.
Call the police and be shure you get a police report and a report from the witness.
File a suit on the Bit#$ and get your car fixed

Chloe

That's an easy one. Turn it in to your insurance company and let them deal with her. You have information on her. Just give them what you have and don't deal with her anymore. That is why you have insurance. They will fix your car and go after her and you are in the clear. Won't affect your rates because it wasn't your fault.

WelshLad

Involve your insurance company ASAP

oklatom

Since the police were called, there is a police report. Get a copy of that, and then go to your insurance agent and they will help you to collect from this person. She is responsible for making you whole, and $100 won't do that. She has no right to ask for any estimates from you, let alone three. Let your insurance handle it.

Whether or not she uses her insurance company she is required to give you her information.

J D

Go to the police & make a staement then at least its on record if u need to take things further (ie: a law suit etc) the police probably wont do anything because it is now a civil dispute but at least get it on record and make a statement. The police may still charge her for hit & run because she didnt leave a note or even stop to inspect the damage etc. Then go to ur insurance company & get advice from them, they will be able to tell u what steps to take next. They may even be able to contact her insurance company & make her pay for the respairs.
Dont get it dont cheap though. Get a fair quote for a proper job. Shes at fault & tried to get out of it by breaking the law so why should u try to make her life easier when she obviously doesnt give a stuff about u.

DJ RSX-S

Screw that, she tried to get away with it, take it to the nicest most expensive shop you can and make her pay it. Just because she's ignorant doesn't mean you should go cheap. If worse comes to worse, take her to court, you will win that one for sure. She admitted guilt and will be charged with reimbursing you. Explain that to her and then watch how her attitude changes.

Or if you are intent on getting her insurance policy numbers and plate numbers, get them, if she still refuses just explain to her that you can do it the easy way or the hard way and to take her pick. She's in a lose-lose situation and she should realize that.

Edit- Hell yeah make her pay for the rental!!! Doesn't that piss you off that she was just going to drive off and not even say anything?! Make her pay and learn her lesson so somebody else doesn't fall victim to her ignorance!

love2smile

if you have collision coverage, you can go through your ins co and then let them deal with it and they will help get your deductible back or you can take her to small claims court

badbill1941

Take her to court.

Opoohwan

If you have a police report, and the cops talked to her, take her to small claims for it. She won't give you her insurance, thats not her choice. she hit you, not the other way around.

~BeLla BaBy~

sue her ***! you should get more than at least 3000

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