Location: South Carolina
I know it might be a long shot, but I need any help I can get. Last year, I got into a car crash while turning left at a yellow light. It was found to be my fault and I was given a ticket and a fine that I immediately paid. At the time, I had insurance, but hadn’t yet added my car to its coverage. I know it was stupid, but my life was rapidly falling apart around me, I thought I was going to lose my job after my previous car suddenly died and was so relieved to have a piece of shit lemon to drive that I neglected to add it to my insurance for two months. This was my first accident. I’ve never even gotten a ticket or been pulled over. I spent two months without groceries just to save up for that shitty car. My credit later improved and I was able to finance a much nicer, used car that I’ll be paying off for the foreseeable future.
A few months ago, I got a letter in the mail telling me that I owe the other person involved in the crash $11k for damages. I have no family or support network to lean on, I make $14/hr and blew through my measly life savings last year to get a shitty car just so I could keep my job and not be homeless. I can’t afford that. I can barely afford to support myself as is.
Please, is there anything I can do?
Comments
Did the letter come from the other party’s insurance company, or the person themself?
Did you still open a claim with your insurance? Send them the letter.
Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do. It’s a bill you are legally required to pay. Based on your post I’m assuming you made the claim and it was denied? If not, make the claim with whom you had insurance with. The fact that you didn’t add it in over 2 months means coverage will likely be denied, but it’s worth making sure you’ve made the claim and been told no first. Each state and company has different guidelines on how long you have to add a new vehicle. Do not lie about it. Do not forge any documents.
If you’ve done all that and coverage was denied, then I’m really sorry. You’re right, sometimes life happens and it fucking sucks.