uninsured and in minor accident (no damage)

[HMB3307]

What is the name of your state? Rhode Island

Is it mandatory suspension of your license for driving an uninsured vehicle?

I was in a very minor bump yesterday, and we were both rushing to work so just exchanged numbers. There was no apparent damage to either car. As soon as I got to work I insured the truck. The truck has been working and broken off and on, so we cancel the insurance when it's broken so we don't have to pay insurance for a truck that's not on the road.

She called this morning and left a message saying that she inspected the car further and that there still appears to be no damage, but she "just wants to dot all her i's and cross all her t's". I'm afraid she's just saying that, and that she'll send the information to the insurance company and I'll get screwed. It was only a matter of 20 minutes between the accident and the insurance coverage becoming active again. Also, the police weren't contacted because there was no apparent damage and we saw no need to get them involved. I'm a very good and honest driver, having never in my life received a speeding ticket, nor have I ever been cited in an accident. The only incident on my record is a failure to yield four years ago.

Would you please offer some advice as to how I should handle this? Thank you in advance for not being judgemental.

[fcobarr]

"I'm a very good and honest driver"

Then you are a law abiding citizen and know that operating a vehicle on the road requires insurance.

You may have gotten lucky on this one, but if anything does go through insurance...it is fraudulent and your conscience should bother you. Whether you get caught is another story, and the consequences of getting caught are yet another story. Good luck.

I don't know what advice you're looking for, but if you caused any damage to the other vehicle you should pay out-of-pocket.

[HMB3307]

My conscience is eating away at me. I've never gotten into ANY sort of trouble, and it was all just a matter of bad timing. It is my husband's truck, and I had just started driving it after it was fixed. Part of me feels that honesty is the best policy and that I should sit down and call the other driver, explaining the situation. She's about my age; maybe she'd be understanding since there has been no damage discovered. But the other part of me believes that honesty doesn't always pay off, and that I'd be digging the hole deeper if I confess to her and get myself into a considerable amount of trouble. I'm at a loss of what to do. If there is any damage, I am willing to work out a payment plan to pay for what was my fault. I'm not trying to avoid the fact that it happened and it was my fault; I just don't want to get into any trouble I can avoid. Maybe my good track record could work out to my benefit?

[ecmst12]

Call her back but I wouldn't worry about it too much now. If there wasn't any damage, there's nothing you'll have to pay for.

[HMB3307]

Thank you for the advice. I've also consulted legal counsel, just to make sure. I do want to call her back, but like I said, I don't want to look the gift horse in the mouth.

Thank you again. I'm sure there isn't anything to worry about; my highly active imagination just takes me for a trip sometimes.

Take care.

[Zigner]

I wouldn't even call her back at this point. With regard to the accident itself, no-harm, no-foul. IF she contacts you with damage to your vehicle, offer to pay out-of-pocket for the damage you caused.

[HMB3307]

Thanks. She did say in her message (that I saved) that there was no damage caused. My husbands concern was that "she takes a bat to the car and causes damage" saying it was my fault. I guess that's why I saved the message. Hopefully she won't call back...

Thanks.