Should I contact the fault party myself?

I'm in California.

Yesturday I parked my car along the sidewalk infront of my friend's house. Upon coming back from a party I was informed by my friend's father that his neighbor's guest have hit my car as she backed her car out from the driveway. The driver side door is now unopenable. Fortunately she and her husband left a note with their name and contact information on it. I crawled in from the passenger side and drove home without calling the police at the time, around midnight. However, I did take photos of the damaged area.

My question is, should I contact the at fault party myself? If I should, what information should I obtain from them? Also, since I didn't make a police report at the time when I got back to the accident scene, will this effect me in any negative way in the future as I pursue the claim? I am going to make a walkin report to the high way patrol office on Tuesday, that's what I been told to do after I called the traffic collusion line this morning.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by xbw

I'm in California.

Yesturday I parked my car along the sidewalk infront of my friend's house. Upon coming back from a party I was informed by my friend's father that his neighbor's guest have hit my car as she backed her car out from the driveway. The driver side door is now unopenable. Fortunately she and her husband left a note with their name and contact information on it. I crawled in from the passenger side and drove home without calling the police at the time, around midnight. However, I did take photos of the damaged area.

My question is, should I contact the at fault party myself? If I should, what information should I obtain from them? Also, since I didn't make a police report at the time when I got back to the accident scene, will this effect me in any negative way in the future as I pursue the claim? I am going to make a walkin report to the high way patrol office on Tuesday, that's what I been told to do after I called the traffic collusion line this morning.

**A: and what did your insurance company tell you to do when you called them?

Today is Sunday, the local office that offered my insurance service is closed. That is why I'm seeking advice here because my father keep telling me to call them but I want to be prepared, to know what I should ask before I make the call.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by xbw

Today is Sunday, the local office that offered my insurance service is closed. That is why I'm seeking advice here because my father keep telling me to call them but I want to be prepared, to know what I should ask before I make the call.

**A: look at your insurance papers for a 1-800 # or call information to find a national #.

I have contacted the person who hit my car. She wants to settle the matter without her insurance comapany's knowledge of the matter. I'm fine with that, but is there something I need to watchout for? For example, do I need a third party to act as a vitness?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by xbw

I have contacted the person who hit my car. She wants to settle the matter without her insurance comapany's knowledge of the matter. I'm fine with that, but is there something I need to watchout for? For example, do I need a third party to act as a vitness?

**A: did you make the calls? And ya you need a vitness.

Yes, I personally made the calls.

I was thinking about making an agreement on paper (including the list of compensation, i.e. repair cost and the car rental cost) and fax to her and let her sign the agreement. If in the future she refuse to pay me, then I can use this signed agreement by both parties to sue her.
But I'm not quite sure and know how a witness could play a role in this. The person who hit my car is 53 miles from where I live.
Could I let my friend sign on the paper too to act as a witness?

[stephenk]

Again, what is the reason you dont want your insurance or her auto insurance carrier to get involved?

Today I got the preliminary damage repair estimate and faxed to her. Her husband said they might let their insurance company handle the matter upon knowing the figure I told him.

They might thought the damage is not that costly and therefore settle the matter privately. Since she is the daughter of my best friend's neighbor, I would let her do so.