My parked car was hit by a drunk driver which completely ruined it, is there anything I can do?

My vehicle is 10 years old and last night a woman hit it while it was parked outside my house. She hit my front driver side (at the tire) pushing it back 15 feet and up onto the curb, which turned her car on it's side. After helping her out of her car she walked away, she later came back after the police arrived. My vehicle is only covered by liability, however I'm not sure yet what her insurance is, as the police said they could not inform me and I'd have to wait to get the case report in 72 hours. My only thing is I need a vehicle NOW? I have college classed that I just finished paying for that I will miss if I don't have a vehicle, not to mention I dont have any mode of transportation to work. I'm out of a paycheck and a car, and as far as I've heard the insurance will only offer me the minimum of what my car is worth? Is there anything I can do? Any legal action I can take against this woman?

rumblecookie

buy a bicycle and Sue the hell outta of the lush

la428282

Ugh.. all these people saying to "sue" crack me up.

Do you know how long it takes to "sue" someone... dont you think it takes a wee bit longer then 72 hours... and in that time youll have her insurance information.

After you have her information just file a claim through her carrier. You can get in a rental now out of pocket and once her carrier accepts liability- they will reimburse you for it.

Its so funny how people throw around "sue" on here. That one person "sue the hell out of her". Please- youll never get mor ethen the value of your car and a reasonable rental. This isnt the lottery- and its not like this women probably has cash anyways.

Just turn it into her insurance. There is no "minimum" your car is worth.. its not a range. They will give you actual cash value of your car.. which just happens to be lower then people expect sometimes. People always think there 87' hoopty is a freaking 07 porshe or something.

Just chill.

Scott H

If she has insurance coverage, they should pay you fair market value for your vehicle. You can sue her for additional restitution, but it won't be a near-term solution. It could take months to get through the court system.

httnmrtt

Her Property Damage and Liability coverage, if she was insured, will cover the damage to your vehicle. You may have to rent a vehicle and bill her insurance company until yours is fixed or replaced. Get your insurance company involved because they have an attorney on staff to protect your interests and they are a lot more skilled at negotiating with other insurance agencies than you are. File a claim for damages to your vehicle and all expenses incurred as a result of that loss. Cab fare, bus fare, car rental, etc.

zanilth1984

You can certainly sue, however if she doesn't have insurance then what are you going to get....her car that she hit you with? Your best bet is to go rent a car, and then send her insurance company the bill. Hopefully she has full coverage, but even if she doesn't and they turn your rental car down, you can try the lawyer approach...Have a lawyer call them. Usually they will fold under threat of a lawsuit, because if they lose they get to pay not only the rental car, but also your attorney and court fees. They usually won't risk it for a few hundred bucks.

Just my experience though, it could be different for you.

just hanging around

get an estimate. contact her insurance company.

Fred C

You sue. If you had collision, comprehensive, and replacement transportion coverage on your car, your insurance company would cover the claim, and a short-term rental, and subrogate against the other driver. As it stands, you are on your own because your car wasn't insured (liability only insures you). Hopefully the drunk has insurance, or a bank account, or you won't get much.

House

The first thing you can do is calm down.
Next, school is important, but you do not have a vehicle so you can not drive to school.
So, your focus, I think, should be on your car, unless you have some other means of transportation. (e.g. city bus, bike, carpool)

colormebrown

see if your insurance will provide a rental for you. ask if they'll get the cash from the other insurance comp later.

rhsaunders

You can sue the other driver, and probably win. The damages will include those arising from loss of use, and will also cover the reasonable costs of renting alternative transportation. Jurors do not like drunken drivers who cause accidents. You will need a lawyer. In the meantime, contact the other driver's insurer as soon as you can, and describe your position. They may be forthcoming.

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