What is the name of your state? CA
Two years ago, I was involved in an accident with an LA Unified School District bus. It was raining that morning, and as I was approaching the intersection (about 100 feet), the light turned. Knowing that this particular intersection is NOTORIOUS for drivers jumping the green light I made the fateful decision to apply my brakes versus risking being clipped in the intersection. The bus in question was parked on the corner of the intersection (to my right). When I applied my brakes, unfortunately, I jammed on them a little harder than I intended, and the car began to slide. I basically slid down the side of the bus. Luckily the passenger side mirror of my car lodged in the wheel well of the bus breaking my slide and preventing me from entering the intersection. I immediately pulled my car into the gas station on this same corner, and upon a physical inspection of my car, I was surprised to discover that the ONLY damage to my car was to the passenger side mirror. It had snapped off. There was ABSOLUTELY no other damage to my vehicle. I took a look at the bus and noted that there was ABSOLUTELY no damage to the bus. No scratches, dents, of any kind. The driver (who was not in the bus, but standing on the corner) and I BOTH looked and both concurred that the bus was fine. No one was physically hurt as the bus was empty and not in motion.
A supervisor from LA Unified was called to the scene to take an incident report. After obtaining the usual information (drivers license, insurance info) I asked the supervisor what I could expect next. The supervisor stated to me that since it appeared that my car took the brunt of the damage that this would pretty much be the end of it. He also concurred upon inspection of the bus, that the bus had sustained no damage.
Three months later I received a letter from LA Unified demanding payment for damages to the bus. They did not attempt to file a claim with my insurance company nor did they provide any documentation substantiating the so-called damage. In this letter they included a copy of an estimate from from their internal body shop for body damages to the louvre panel and skirt rail of the bus. Since I knew that there was no such damage, and as I provided the school district with my insurance and license information at the time of the accident, I took no action at that time.
I am now in receipt of another letter from LA Unified again demanding payment for the damage to the bus. Two employees on the scene and myself ALL concluded that there was NO damage to this bus.. NOT ONE dent, not even a scratch. Even if the bus was damaged, I find it hard to believe that a school bus more than 3 times the size and weight of my vehicle sustained MORE damage than my vehicle did. My mirror cost me a total of $100 or so including parts and labor. The supervisor sent to the scene concurred with me that the bus had sustained no damage.. So what the heck cost $775.55 to fix???
Anyway here's what I need to know.. I'm not debating fault.. Clearly my car slid into a parked bus..
BUT - Since the district FAILED to contact my insurance company and file a claim is it too late for them to do so now given that I am no longer insured by this auto insurance company? (I changed carriers last year)
- What is the statute of limitations on the district's claim for damages?
- If they are indeed SOL with my insurance carrier because they failed to file a claim in a timely manner, can they now come after me???
- Don't they have to provide me with more substantiation than an estimate from their own INTERNAL body shop?? Two district employees and me inspected this bus.. There was NO DAMAGE to the rear louvre or the skirt rail.. So am I supposed to just accept THEIR word on the damage??
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