another hit and run incident..

[kareshi]

On July 13, 2012 at around 5:55pm, I was still, in line on the ramp from Corporate Dr. to McCowan north in Scarborough. There were 2-3 cars in front of me so I was about to exist. Suddenly I heard sounds on my left side. A van was impatient enough that he/she decided to pass the cars through the gap, got on the curb and took off. If you know the area, the ramp is a one-lane ramp only. As a result, that van scratched my car. I only got his license plate and car colour memorized. I was in panic mode that I should have asked the car behind me for witness info, but I didn't (other drivers please don't repeat my mistake). Soon I left because there was long line up on the ramp. I reported to the collision center with all info that night. Now I am not sure what will be the outcome.

That driver was insane. I really hope cops can help. But you know, this is Toronto.

I am posting this because, I hope, if you were actually there or you did hear this incident from anyone you know, I wish they can be my witness. The hope may be slim but I think we do want unsafe drivers off the road!!

Hope you all have a safe trip everyday

[skwigglyline]

assuming the car is identified, insurance can check the car for scratches or paint from your car. Touch up paint is pretty obvious too. Report it to insurance, not sure if it qualifies for a hit and run

[gibguitar]

I only got his license plate

Only? I would say you got everything you need, most people aren't able to get the plate number quick enough. You should be fine if you got the plate number. It's highly likely they catch the person.

[lildevilx]

Only? I would say you got everything you need, most people aren't able to get the plate number quick enough. You should be fine if you got the plate number. It's highly likely they catch the person.

yeah thats usually enough unless they swap plates/stole the car

they should able to look at the damage on your car and his/her car to tell if it was from the same accident or similar accident
and report it to the insurance anyways no harm done to you anyways

[kareshi]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have reported to all parties, insurance and collision center. I could have done better by collecting witness information on the spot. I should also get off the car immediately and went up to the van, since the driver waited about 15-30 seconds for traffic to clear up. It's a lesson learned.

Bad thing is that I increased my deductible and removed rental coverage just this year. The repair estimate is around the same amount as my deductible. It's a lesson for others that are considering doing the same.

[TrevorK]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I have reported to all parties, insurance and collision center. I could have done better by collecting witness information on the spot. I should also get off the car immediately and went up to the van, since the driver waited about 15-30 seconds for traffic to clear up. It's a lesson learned.

Bad thing is that I increased my deductible and removed rental coverage just this year. The repair estimate is around the same amount as my deductible. It's a lesson for others that are considering doing the same.

Remember that it can sometimes be a bad idea to approach a driver who has just hit your vehicle and purposely drove away. You have no idea on their current state of mind and potentially risk injury to yourself by confronting them. If they wanted to stay and exchange information they would have. To me getting the plate is the best idea because then you are able to file it as a hit and run with police, and if I recall, your rates do not rise from a hit and run claim.

I'm glad your physically OK and the damage to your car isn't too severe.

[kareshi]

Remember that it can sometimes be a bad idea to approach a driver who has just hit your vehicle and purposely drove away. You have no idea on their current state of mind and potentially risk injury to yourself by confronting them. If they wanted to stay and exchange information they would have. To me getting the plate is the best idea because then you are able to file it as a hit and run with police, and if I recall, your rates do not rise from a hit and run claim.

I'm glad your physically OK and the damage to your car isn't too severe.

That's very true. I freaked out when I saw my side mirror got pushed to the window. I didn't know how it happened and I thought that van damaged it. Indeed the side mirror is fine (no scratch and I can still adjust it) but the left side of the bumper and fender got scratched and dented..

Another lesson learned is that accident happened in Toronto got to report to collision centers in GTA. YRP couldn't help. :)

[jmatheson64]

That panic mode can totally suck, my friend only managed to get a person's first and last name and phone number while forgetting the vehicle model, license plate etc. Despite almost totally blowing any chance of finding the guy when he wouldn't return any calls, I found him on facebook and we went to his house, apparently his phone was broken but the next day he was able to call to complain about the repair quote lol.

Very good on you to get the guy's plate.

[kareshi]

That panic mode can totally suck, my friend only managed to get a person's first and last name and phone number while forgetting the vehicle model, license plate etc. Despite almost totally blowing any chance of finding the guy when he wouldn't return any calls, I found him on facebook and we went to his house, apparently his phone was broken but the next day he was able to call to complain about the repair quote lol.

Very good on you to get the guy's plate.

It seems it's no use to have that guy's plate. Adjuster said the other car was registered under a company and he could not find info about that company nor which insurance company it belongs to. I don't think the police did anything either. I have received no update from Toronto Police.

Any advice from anyone??

Thanks in advance.. :(

[Mr.Sea]

It seems it's no use to have that guy's plate. Adjuster said the other car was registered under a company and he could not find info about that company nor which insurance company it belongs to. I don't think the police did anything either. I have received no update from Toronto Police.

Any advice from anyone??

Thanks in advance.. :(

Wow, I wonder what was in that van that was so important. Probably drugs, whores or stolen goods.

[opento]

didn't you call the cops too to report hit and run?

or will the collision center do that for you?

[kareshi]

didn't you call the cops too to report hit and run?

or will the collision center do that for you?

Yes, i reported to collision center on that day already. however, no one has contacted me. i will try to get on hold to the adjuster and see, as he claimed he has access to view the report. but my feeling is that cops didn't do anything.

[vdubber]

next time call 911 right away and report it. most people that hit and run are either drunk or high. whats to stop them from hitting a person and running. stop these bastards before they hurt someone

[jmatheson64]

The cops will not provide the driver's address etc via the plate info? Wow.

[vdubber]

i was involved with a hit and run a few years ago where the driver hit my parked car and left an imprint of his plate in the back of my bumper. few hours later i saw my car smashed and went to the collision center. the officer saw the imprint and right away called the other driver to come to the police station or his car would be towed. i belive the officer even called him at work

[boyoflondon]

Yes, i reported to collision center on that day already. however, no one has contacted me. i will try to get on hold to the adjuster and see, as he claimed he has access to view the report. but my feeling is that cops didn't do anything.

wtf? When I had a hit and run, I went to the police station, sat down with the cop and gave him all the info. He pulled it up on the computer, found the address and said they will send someone there, which they did. They confirmed the vehicle was there and the guy had admitted to a hit and run.

[TrevorK]

It seems it's no use to have that guy's plate. Adjuster said the other car was registered under a company and he could not find info about that company nor which insurance company it belongs to. I don't think the police did anything either. I have received no update from Toronto Police.

Any advice from anyone??

Thanks in advance.. :(

Do you have coverage for hit-and-run, because that seems to be what this accident is if the other driver drove away. In my province hit-and-run claims do not raise your rates (they go under comprehensive I believe, but you need collision. One of the insurance brokers can explain it better I'm sure) and you just pay the deductible until the driver is located.

I would make it a point to contact the police as they obviously have the means to locate the vehicle itself. If you need just asked to speak to a supervisor.

[kareshi]

wtf? When I had a hit and run, I went to the police station, sat down with the cop and gave him all the info. He pulled it up on the computer, found the address and said they will send someone there, which they did. They confirmed the vehicle was there and the guy had admitted to a hit and run.

the police didn't do that for me. i didn't ask them either , as i trusted them. and i reported it to the toronto collision centre

:(

[kareshi]

Do you have coverage for hit-and-run, because that seems to be what this accident is if the other driver drove away. In my province hit-and-run claims do not raise your rates (they go under comprehensive I believe, but you need collision. One of the insurance brokers can explain it better I'm sure) and you just pay the deductible until the driver is located.

I would make it a point to contact the police as they obviously have the means to locate the vehicle itself. If you need just asked to speak to a supervisor.

Yes i have coverage, but the bad news is that i just raised my deductible this year so i won't be able to reimburse much. i was told that it won't affect my rates too since i am not at fault.

I will go to the collision centre and inquire about it. the adjuster said the incident report hasnt been updated.

i am out of luck also because, according to the adjuster, that the car is registered under a business and the address is a P.O. box. when a vehicle is registered under a business, the insurance bureau doesn't have the vehicle's insurance info. all he could do was sent a registered letter to the address and request a callback.

i am in ontario ..

[condor11]

There's been more and more reports of hit-and-run accidents lately. Reports here on RFD, and at other places. And in many cases, just like this one, show that police does nothing and don't attempt to find the hit-and-run driver even if you give them a license plate.
And that is really a disturbing trend. Because now general public will start to realize that police rarely go after hit-and-run, so they will start doing it more and more. Which is what we already see in GTA!
I guarantee you, if this guy is not caught this time and he is in the accident again, he won't even think twice and just run away again. And probably will tell his friends and they'll figure to do the same.

Really disturbing trend...

As for OP's particular case - let me get this straight, so someone can register a car to a business, with a bogus PO Box, no-one can then figure out if they even have insurance, and then good luck anyone finding them? And this is in Canada? Unbelievable!!!

[TrevorK]

i am out of luck also because, according to the adjuster, that the car is registered under a business and the address is a P.O. box. when a vehicle is registered under a business, the insurance bureau doesn't have the vehicle's insurance info. all he could do was sent a registered letter to the address and request a callback.

i am in ontario ..

This is just my opinion, but the insurance company AND police telling you they can't track down a vehicle based on the license plate number is crap. I would, if it were me, escalate the issue to the supervisor of the person you are dealing with at the insurance company and then the ombudsman for it. You were the victim of a hit and run, yet you got the plate and that's not enough? To me that's unacceptable. There are several levels of appeal within the insurance process and I would use each and every one.

(Again, just my opinion).

[rfdrfd]

Sorry to hear about that OP. That truly sucks.

One more thing you should learn from this is, BUY and install a on-board video camera. 100% proof. If you really want, you can install FOUR cameras haha... one on each side. But, some cameras have front and back wide angle lenses, so that's pretty good already.

[rfdrfd]

This is just my opinion, but the insurance company AND police telling you they can't track down a vehicle based on the license plate number is crap. I would, if it were me, escalate the issue to the supervisor of the person you are dealing with at the insurance company and then the ombudsman for it. You were the victim of a hit and run, yet you got the plate and that's not enough? To me that's unacceptable. There are several levels of appeal within the insurance process and I would use each and every one.

(Again, just my opinion).

100% agree. I think those ppl are just lazy to help the victims. They just let our insurance companies pay for the fixing, then don't punish the other guy (since never found), then our rates go up. And in all of this, does it affect the insurance company or Police that were too lazy to help us to begin with? Nope.

That's what people don't take the extra step to help us. Only when it hits home do people nowadays help us. Pretty sad, but true.

[condor11]

Sorry to hear about that OP. That truly sucks.

One more thing you should learn from this is, BUY and install a on-board video camera. 100% proof. If you really want, you can install FOUR cameras haha... one on each side. But, some cameras have front and back wide angle lenses, so that's pretty good already.

I am all for Dashcams, and have one myself, but how would it help the OP in this case? He's got the license plate!

[kareshi]

As for OP's particular case - let me get this straight, so someone can register a car to a business, with a bogus PO Box, no-one can then figure out if they even have insurance, and then good luck anyone finding them? And this is in Canada? Unbelievable!!!

First, thanks for all the responses guys. I hope this will NEVER happen to anybody here. Fortunately I can still take the dent and hope for the best. You're right, it seems there's a gap in the system. But in my case, the police didn't do anything (well i will go to collision center later and inquire). if the police did something, even the insurance company isn't really capable of finding out, the legal force can provide something.

[kareshi]

100% agree. I think those ppl are just lazy to help the victims. They just let our insurance companies pay for the fixing, then don't punish the other guy (since never found), then our rates go up. And in all of this, does it affect the insurance company or Police that were too lazy to help us to begin with? Nope.

That's what people don't take the extra step to help us. Only when it hits home do people nowadays help us. Pretty sad, but true.

Believe it or not, I had it purchased but didn't install it. I know..

[rfdrfd]

I am all for Dashcams, and have one myself, but how would it help the OP in this case? He's got the license plate!

I don't know the legal stuff, but what if they guy denies it. And OP didn't have any other witness. That guy could make up some other story and say OP hit him instead.

That's what happened to my friend, he was on 401, got cut by a big trailer, his car spun sideways, ....etc.. scary stuff, his head injured, car totalled. Then now, insurance company is saying my friend was at fault. Best case scenario 50/50. Which is 100% wrong my friend says.

If he had a dash cam, he could shot how it really happened.

Same thing if someone infront of you BACKS up into you on a road. 99% insurance will say you hit him, following too closely. But with a dashcam, you will win that 1%.

[rfdrfd]

Believe it or not, I had it purchased but didn't install it. I know..

I feel for ya. It happens. Just like when you bring an umbrella, it doesn't rain. that ONE time....

[kareshi]

This is just my opinion, but the insurance company AND police telling you they can't track down a vehicle based on the license plate number is crap. I would, if it were me, escalate the issue to the supervisor of the person you are dealing with at the insurance company and then the ombudsman for it. You were the victim of a hit and run, yet you got the plate and that's not enough? To me that's unacceptable. There are several levels of appeal within the insurance process and I would use each and every one.

(Again, just my opinion).

The police didn't tell me anything. I am sure they can track down a vehicle. My feeling is that the police hasn't done anything.

Now, I don't know if the insurance company is capable of doing anything. I was told that they are unable to get the insurance info when it's registered under a business. Moreover, the registered contact for the plate is a PO box. I don't know how's that possible. The insurance company is okay to pay for my cost minus deductible. As I was told, in order to waive the deductible and authorize a rental (yes I even removed the rental coverage.. :( ), they need to be able to get on hold of the other party's insurance company. They are having difficulty with that and that's where it fails.

[rfdrfd]

The police didn't tell me anything. I am sure they can track down a vehicle. My feeling is that the police hasn't done anything.

Now, I don't know if the insurance company is capable of doing anything. I was told that they are unable to get the insurance info when it's registered under a business. Moreover, the registered contact for the plate is a PO box. I don't know how's that possible. The insurance company is okay to pay for my cost minus deductible. As I was told, in order to waive the deductible and authorize a rental (yes I even removed the rental coverage.. :( ), they need to be able to get on hold of the other party's insurance company. They are having difficulty with that and that's where it fails.

So now, after you get hit, you still have to pay for deductible, and your insurance company will have a record of a claim on you, that's just ridiculous. There is no justice !

And yes, even if its NOT YOUR FAULT, having a claim on your record still can increase your insurance rates. I've asked multiple friends that work at insurance companies all confirms it. After a few of these not at faults, you are now deemed a "higher risk" driver.

[kareshi]

So now, after you get hit, you still have to pay for deductible, and your insurance company will have a record of a claim on you, that's just ridiculous. There is no justice !

And yes, even if its NOT YOUR FAULT, having a claim on your record still can increase your insurance rates. I've asked multiple friends that work at insurance companies all confirms it. After a few of these not at faults, you are now deemed a "higher risk" driver.

That's what I believe too, especially when you switch to another insurance company. It may work better if I stick to the insurance company (my guess), since they should have more information on the file. The other insurance companies probably will see only a summary of the claim.

[sillysimms]

OP, very sorry this happened to you. It isn't fair at all and it isn't right that even with a license plate number no one is apparently able to track down the insurance/company.

If I were you, I would escalate this issue at your own insurance company. They should have an ombudsman that you can complain to if no one else there is able to help you. After you have done that, if your situation is still not properly resolved, you can escalate it to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario ombudsman (to go to this final step, you MUST have complained to your own insurer's ombudsman first and have their written response to your complaint):

http://www.ibc.ca/en/consumer_protection/Ontario.asp


So now, after you get hit, you still have to pay for deductible, and your insurance company will have a record of a claim on you, that's just ridiculous. There is no justice !

And yes, even if its NOT YOUR FAULT, having a claim on your record still can increase your insurance rates. I've asked multiple friends that work at insurance companies all confirms it. After a few of these not at faults, you are now deemed a "higher risk" driver.

In this case, the insurer is saying the OP has to pay a deductible because if you are involved in a hit and run with an unidentified driver, it goes under your collision coverage and you have to pay your deductible (although the OP has identified the vehicle, it seems no one is doing the work that is needed to get the insurance info of the at fault driver). If you are in a regular not at fault accident, you don't pay your deductible.

I'm surprised friends that work at insurance companies are saying not at fault accidents can increase your insurance rates since they're wrong. Insurers are not allowed to use not at fault accidents to determine your rate (or accidents where you are less than 25% at fault):

http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/brochures/Pages/brochure_autoins.aspx#thirteen

What Insurance Companies Can't Use to Determine Rates

Your insurance company cannot use the following rating criteria to determine how much you should pay for automobile insurance:

credit history;

bankruptcy;

employment status;

whether you own a credit card;

how long you have lived in your current home;

accidents where you are less than 25 per cent at-fault where the accident occurred on or after September 1, 2010;

not-at-fault accidents;

whether your vehicle is owned or leased; and

whether there was a period of time where you had no automobile insurance coverage.

That's not to say your rate won't go up, but if it does it won't be because of a not at fault accident. Insurers have to file for rate increases and get approval to raise rates (along with approval for the criteria the company uses for setting those rates).

[kareshi]

OP, very sorry this happened to you. It isn't fair at all and it isn't right that even with a license plate number no one is apparently able to track down the insurance/company.

If I were you, I would escalate this issue at your own insurance company. They should have an ombudsman that you can complain to if no one else there is able to help you. After you have done that, if your situation is still not properly resolved, you can escalate it to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario ombudsman (to go to this final step, you MUST have complained to your own insurer's ombudsman first and have their written response to your complaint):

http://www.ibc.ca/en/consumer_protection/Ontario.asp



In this case, the insurer is saying the OP has to pay a deductible because if you are involved in a hit and run with an unidentified driver, it goes under your collision coverage and you have to pay your deductible (although the OP has identified the vehicle, it seems no one is doing the work that is needed to get the insurance info of the at fault driver). If you are in a regular not at fault accident, you don't pay your deductible.


@sillysimms, thanks for your reply. I contacted the IBC as well and they also advised me to contact the complaint officer. However, I wish to understand about more what else the insurer could have done. Should they contact the police and request for information? I was told that they are unable to obtain the insurance info because it's registered under a business. The adjuster said normally if the vehicle is under an individual's name, the insurance info will be there. However, it won't be there for business registration. The registered address is also a PO box and so they couldn't get a hold on it.

The response form IBC's consumer information officer said that if the insurance company cannot verify the other driver's insurance, then it should be covered under uninsured driver section of the policy with deductible of $300. However, my uninsured automobile section mentions that i am covered if i am injured or killed. I wasn't injured and so, anyone knows if i am still covered? Below is the clause on the Certificate:

Uninsured Automobile

Provides coverage if you or other insured persons are injured or killed by an uninsured motorist or by a hit-and-run driver. It covers damage to your automobile and its contents caused by an identified uninsured motorist, subject to a deductible.

I will probably go to the collision center and inquire about it today. However I don't have any expectation from them. IBC also said that the adjuster could order a police report and try to investigate. The adjuster, however, has no clue even I asked him should I inquire the investigation at a police station or collision center. He just suggested to go to collision center and talk to the officer that inspected my car's damage.

Also, the appraiser that assessed my car's repair cost hasn't sent them anything regarding the cost nor the pictures. I went the next day. I was surprised when the adjuster asked me how much is the estimate.

[sillysimms]

@sillysimms, thanks for your reply. I contacted the IBC as well and they also advised me to contact the complaint officer. However, I wish to understand about more what else the insurer could have done. Should they contact the police and request for information? I was told that they are unable to obtain the insurance info because it's registered under a business. The adjuster said normally if the vehicle is under an individual's name, the insurance info will be there. However, it won't be there for business registration. The registered address is also a PO box and so they couldn't get a hold on it.

The response form IBC's consumer information officer said that if the insurance company cannot verify the other driver's insurance, then it should be covered under uninsured driver section of the policy with deductible of $300. However, my uninsured automobile section mentions that i am covered if i am injured or killed. I wasn't injured and so, anyone knows if i am still covered? Below is the clause on the Certificate:

Uninsured Automobile

Provides coverage if you or other insured persons are injured or killed by an uninsured motorist or by a hit-and-run driver. It covers damage to your automobile and its contents caused by an identified uninsured motorist, subject to a deductible.

I will probably go to the collision center and inquire about it today. However I don't have any expectation from them. IBC also said that the adjuster could order a police report and try to investigate. The adjuster, however, has no clue even I asked him should I inquire the investigation at a police station or collision center. He just suggested to go to collision center and talk to the officer that inspected my car's damage.

Also, the appraiser that assessed my car's repair cost hasn't sent them anything regarding the cost nor the pictures. I went the next day. I was surprised when the adjuster asked me how much is the estimate.

I'm not sure of the exact steps that the insurance company should take, but I don't believe that no one can find out information on the company. Surely the police can do this - if there was a serious accident they would be able to find this out - it just seems that no one is willing to put the effort forth in this case.

Regarding coverage - yes, the uninsured motorist coverage is what would apply if the hit and run driver is identified but uninsured. Collision coverage is used if the hit and run driver is not identified (and you do need a police report to ensure it is counted as a not at fault accident).

In this case, the driver may have insurance (hopefully) but no one seems to be able to do the work to find that out which is leaving you to pay the deductible which isn't fair. If it is determined the driver has no insurance, you will have to pay the deductible (which still isn't fair), but that should only be the case if the driver you identified is uninsured.

It's really frustrating - we had a hit and run incident in a parking lot. A witness not only waited around for us to come out of the store, but took a picture with their cell of the vehicle that hit our car and their license plate (all of which we were extremely grateful and thankful for). In our case the police did come to the scene and did track down the driver for us (which wasn't difficult with the plate info although it took several calls from us for them to do this).

Let us know how this works out for you and I would pursue this as far as you can (escalate) to make sure everything has been done that could be done to locate the insurance info of the driver. It seems wrong that a company can hide behind a PO box and that is acceptable.

[TrevorK]

The police didn't tell me anything. I am sure they can track down a vehicle. My feeling is that the police hasn't done anything.

I can't stress it enough, talk to them and don't feel bad about escalating to a supervisor on duty. You are the victim here and you have done everything right by getting the license plate and not chasing the other vehicle.

[kareshi]

I'm not sure of the exact steps that the insurance company should take, but I don't believe that no one can find out information on the company. Surely the police can do this - if there was a serious accident they would be able to find this out - it just seems that no one is willing to put the effort forth in this case.

Regarding coverage - yes, the uninsured motorist coverage is what would apply if the hit and run driver is identified but uninsured. Collision coverage is used if the hit and run driver is not identified (and you do need a police report to ensure it is counted as a not at fault accident).

In this case, the driver may have insurance (hopefully) but no one seems to be able to do the work to find that out which is leaving you to pay the deductible which isn't fair. If it is determined the driver has no insurance, you will have to pay the deductible (which still isn't fair), but that should only be the case if the driver you identified is uninsured.


Thanks. I think in my case, they treat it as the hit and run driver is not identified, and so it's under the collision coverage, where I increased the deductible and have to pay for.

It seems I have to escalate it on the police side. I have already escalated it to the insurance company, but basically they're telling me the adjuster has done everything right.

I guess I can't save my trip to collision centre.

[kareshi]

Went to collision centre yesterday. They actually have a piece of paper to handout whom you can contact to follow-up the hit & run case. The officer didn't give that to me on the first day >:(

Still trying to reach the constable.. left a voice message and asked to callback.

[condor11]

kareshi, thanks, good luck, please keep us updated how it goes!

[kareshi]

kareshi, thanks, good luck, please keep us updated how it goes!

Thanks. I hope my experience can help or provide some insight to those in need.

Have a great long weekend everyone!

[sillysimms]

Thanks for updating. It is too bad you have to be so persistent to get the information you need, but I hope it works out for you soon. It isn't fair for someone to get away with this just because they are hiding behind a business/PO box.

[Waiwai]

Went to collision centre yesterday. They actually have a piece of paper to handout whom you can contact to follow-up the hit & run case. The officer didn't give that to me on the first day >:(

Still trying to reach the constable.. left a voice message and asked to callback.

I'm actually going through the same thing right now and it's just a pain...

I was hit on the passenger side when a car was coming out a side street and ran. Luckily, their license plate fell off and I thought, "EXCELLENT", but it turns out, it isn't enough. I have the exact same problem where the plate is under an uninsured company and the insurance company, in my case, is willing (did) pay for the repair + rental, but I still had to pay for the deductible. I was given the accident report and I was told to call back in three weeks (the insurance company came back within a week to give me the bad news), but the responsible constable has been unreachable so far.

From my lawyer friends, I've been told to take this to small claims court, but I will go through that once I hear back from the police. My biggest concern is, how do I prove that it was them? They would have had enough time to fix up their vehicle by now. They could just make up some story saying that they lost the license plate awhile ago.

Hopefully you have a bit more luck than I do... but it seems like this is going to be a long uphill battle.

[kareshi]

I'm actually going through the same thing right now and it's just a pain...

I was hit on the passenger side when a car was coming out a side street and ran. Luckily, their license plate fell off and I thought, "EXCELLENT", but it turns out, it isn't enough. I have the exact same problem where the plate is under an uninsured company and the insurance company, in my case, is willing (did) pay for the repair + rental, but I still had to pay for the deductible. I was given the accident report and I was told to call back in three weeks (the insurance company came back within a week to give me the bad news), but the responsible constable has been unreachable so far.

From my lawyer friends, I've been told to take this to small claims court, but I will go through that once I hear back from the police. My biggest concern is, how do I prove that it was them? They would have had enough time to fix up their vehicle by now. They could just make up some story saying that they lost the license plate awhile ago.

Hopefully you have a bit more luck than I do... but it seems like this is going to be a long uphill battle.

Thanks Waiwai for letting me know that the constable is probably unreachable. I think I will just suck it up and move on. My insurance company mention about small claim court but i am not sure if they would do it or not. Anyway, i totally understand the pain you're going through. I also wonder the same thing on how would the police make them admitting it? The offender obviously won't admit it.. anyway I believe those morons will pay back one day.. not necessarily to me, but in some ways.