Expert: Charlie Barone - 5/15/2009

Question
Hello. A week and a half ago I was involved in a very minor car accident. I was backing out of a parking spot and didn't see a car approaching the stop sign. The corner of my rear bumper dragged against 1/2 the passenger side front and back door. The other driver and I decided to settle privately. I was distraught because I was driving my father's car and was trying to get to school (first day of class, if you don't show up you are kicked out). Anyhow, I let him look at my license while I wrote down all of my information, including insurance. When he gave my license back I smelled the booze, but too late for that now. I took a picture of the damage with my phone and went to school. He called me two days later and told me he had been sick and was going to get estimates, but he called me from a restricted number. He also told me that the "paint rub" would buff out but there was a little creasing. That was 7 days ago and I haven't heard from him since. I was so overwhelmed I didn't think to get any of his information and I cannot get in touch with him. It has been 10 days since the accident, is there a limitation on how long he can wait to give me the estimate or report it to my insurance company? At this point, I just want to stop worrying about it.

Thanks,

Tara

Answer
Tara,

I'm not sure of the limit in your state is for claiming damage caused by another party, but it is generally 2 years. If you don't hear from him, I would not be concerned. You never know what could have happened, such as him getting in another accident on the same side of his car. I've seen that happen more than a few times in my career.