Hit & Run false accusations!!!

[ljo249]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington State

I was recently surprised with a collection notice stating that I and/or my vehicle was involved in motor vehicle accident on a given date. Being that I have not driven in over 8 months due to my license being suspended and my vehicle has been stored at a family friends house nearly 50 miles away and has not moved in nearly 7 months, on the date given there was no possible way that I could have been involved in this accident, nor was my car. The collection notice only provided the name of the insurance company that is owed, the amount, and the loss date. I have not received any prior notice of this incident. I was able to locate the claim number online so I then contacted the claim adjuster. The representative that I spoke to was a bit rude and hesitant to give me very many details about the claim. I was only told that I am being accused of a hit and run, that there was a witness as well as a police report, and that they had my license plate number and make and model of my car. They would not tell me the location or the time of day of the accident. I immediately checked with my family friends where my car was stored, an elderly retired couple and always at home, and was told that the key to my car never left the safe in the house and that they are certain the car was never moved. There is no damage or any indication of an accident anywhere on my car.

Can someone please advise me on how to deal with this situation? It was a hit and run so I am thinking that someone wrote down the wrong license plate number, or there was some other kind of mix up. I know it can be proven that I was not involved in this accident and they have made a mistake in accusing me. Once this is cleared up is there any way that I can be compensated? This is a scary situation to be blindsided by. I am a U.S. Army Veteran, served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom where I was proud to lay my life on the line to protect and defend the innocent people. I am now innocent and in need of defense however I cannot afford to involve my attorney unless I can hold someone accountable for the legal fees. I did nothing to deserve such an unlucky situation. Please help me someone! Thank you.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[swalsh411]

Send, in writing, a simple letter to the collection agency and the insurance adjuster with 4 items.

1. It wasn't your car involved
2. You were not the driver
3. You have no knowledge of the alledged incident
4. Leave me alone

Don't go into any unccessary backstory. This should clear it up. If they keep trying to contact you then come back.

And no at this point there is nothing you can be compensated for.

 

[ecmst12]

Since your car is still registered, you still have insurance on it, right? Since it's required by law on any car with tags? So all you need to do is report this to your insurance company, tell them your story, and let them defend you. That's their job.

 

[racer72]

Since your car is still registered, you still have insurance on it, right? Since it's required by law on any car with tags? So all you need to do is report this to your insurance company, tell them your story, and let them defend you. That's their job.

Washington state does not require insurance of vehicles that are not being driven, even if the vehicle has current license tabs.

 

[ecmst12]

Interesting. Well it's still a good idea to keep the insurance anyway, in case something unexpected happens. But if there is no insurance to protect OP, he will have to defend himself. Find out the description of the vehicle involved in the accident and see if it matches yours, for starters. Take pictures of your vehicle showing there is no body damage on it. People write down license plate numbers wrong all the time.