[rebecca8]

hello, I need some advice. I was involved in a car accident about a month ago. It was my fault. I was uninsured, yet the other party didn't want to file a police report because she was driving on a speeding ticket, and failed to attend the court date, so would have had to post a $200 bond. The only reason I know this is because the cop who was at the scene told me that I could call him if I had any questions. So, I called him. (At the scene I was informed by him that the other party did not have any insurance, or driver's license.) I later learn that this isn't true? While on the phone with him, he is flirting with me, and then told me that one of the things I could do would be to buy insurance now, and THEN file an accident report. Is this normal or appropriate behavior/advice for the police? Anyway, stupid me, went ahead and bought insurance. I told the girl that we could probably say the accident occured on another date, and work something out like that as long as it's ok with her. (oh, by the way, I work with this girl's mother at my brand new job.....what a small world) She was delighted at this crooked idea. So, I tried to file the report, yet the two police stations I talk to keep arguing about the jurisdiction the accident occured in. OMG!!!!! I'm starting to think that this cop is a slime. Too lazy to write a report, yet wants to get in my pants or something. Well, I can't file the report in the other city because this girl's car was ticketed by them because she parked it in a parking lot because she's too embarrassed to keep the car in her driveway. So, then we thought just to say it happened in a completely different time, date and location. I started having second thoughts about this whole thing. I don't want to face huge fines, and/or jail time, if I were to get caught. So, I called her today to tell her that I've read up on the consequences we could face if we were caught, and I don't think it would be a good idea. However, I'm prepared to offer her $1000. The damage on her car is over estimated at about $2900. Oh, also, don't ALL insurance policies cover for uninsured motorists????? I've only recently learned this. She could have filed for that on her insurance. Anyway, she goes on to tell me....."I can't do anything with $1000. I paid $2500 for my car." OMG!!!!!!!!!! I could think of plenty of things to do with $1000!!!!! And it has nothing to do with what she paid for her car, it's about the value of it before the accident!!!!!! I'm sorry if you over paid for your car!! How am I supposed to know what kind of driving record she has too? She was already irresponsible enough to not go to her court date for the speeding ticket she was driving on. Up until a month ago, I had an excellent driving record. I hate myself. I feel like I'm letting people control me. She knows VERY well that I'm not obligated to give her a dime because no report was ever filed!!!!! I'm TRYING to do the right thing here, and owe up to my responsibilties. I'm slightly tempted by the insurance idea, but I just don't think I can lie like that. I could face much much worse penalties, and this spoiled hillbilly brat wouldn't give a damn!!! I'm thinking about telling her she can take or leave my offer, and if she's going to get greedy, I will deny the whole thing ever happened. That of course is lying as well. I just don't know what to do. The whole thing's also sensitive because I work directly with this girl's mom, and really can't afford to negatively affect my working environment. I am so angry right now. I asked her how she is getting around. She said her mom drives her. I, in the mean time, am taking the freakin' bus everywhere!!!!! Is it too beneath her to ride the bus? Is a $1000 car just not good enough for her?? It always has been good enough for me. The accident was my fault in that she had the right of way, but why were things not done properly at the time of the accident?? Now, I have no idea how to make things right without putting myself out. What makes this girl think she's more worthy than I am that she needs her car fixed, and she is so high above me that she will accept no responsibilty for one thing. All I can say is, what a spoiled brat. I wonder if I should find another job now, and give her a sort of ultimatum.

[jmo531]

This would be insurance fraud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plain and simple. Not to mention filing a false police report, which is also against the law. I can not speculate about the exact penalty for these offences but I beleive its safe to say it involves both jail time and a large fine.

When someone commits insurance fraud, this raises the cost for all of the rest of us.

[desirae]

Oh ya, that's real nice for a cop to explain to you how to commit insurance fraud. I would definitly consider that guy a slime.

That girl sounds like a slime herself. She wants to gain much more. I'm not sure exactly what can be done since the entire situation has been hokey since the beginning. I do suggest doing what your unconscience, (instinct) tells you, because that's more then likely the best thing.

If you have to find a new job in order to not risking jail time, then so be it. Unemployed temporarily is much better then sitting in a jail cell. Don't let that girl have the leash, she was the one driving on a warrant. What you did, driving without insurance, isn't the biggest deal in the world. It's a fine.........less than a grand believe me.

There's some way to work it out legally, were you have the upper hand. Be honest........from the beginning you didn't do much wrong. If you continue lieing, it will snow ball into something worse, and in the end you will sit in jail.......not the girl or the cop.

I hope it al works out......keep us updated.
Desirae

[wisewoman]

I would try and make sure an accident report was really never filed. You could simply call both stations and ask if there was an incident on such and such a date that required a report. If the police have no report the DMV has no report and you are probably okay. I would not give this girl a penny and I hope you have insurance now. Do not lie. If you get an accident report form from DMV, fill it out honestly and mail it back. There are far too serious consequences for any inappropriate behavior here. Good luck.

[rebecca8]

Thank you to everyone. I DO have insurance now even though the car is not drivable. Hers is, except most likely not for long periods since the radiator was damaged. I thought this idea would be considered fraud, but wasn't sure. I've never been in an accident, or any trouble with the law. I heard from someone at work who's known the girl's mom longer than me that it's possible this girl has been in like 3 accidents. Not sure if it's the same daughter, or her other one, but that kinda tells me something.
Anyway, I feel like I should pay her something, but now that she seems to be getting greedy, I'm thinking that I might get taken advantage of. Or maybe it is illegal to even offer her any money, now that I think about it. Boy, now I really don't know what to do. I wonder if I should just go to the police. The problem with that is the accident happened 1 month ago. It's taking me this long to try to figure out a solution. You guys are right. Lying would be worse. I knew that, but sometimes I need to be reminded. It's like the "devil" was tempting me or something. Even though I don't put my faith in the "devil," I'm glad I passed the test. I guess I just need to know how to protect myself. Perhaps a visit to the police station would be a good idea. I don't mind the consequences of driving with no insurance because I KNOW I was in the wrong with that. Geez, if anyone out there is driving with no insurance, please don't do it! I've never driven uninsured up until about 3 months ago because I couldn't pay for it. I just shouldn't have been driving then. At least I'm learning all my lessons from this. The spoiled girl doesn't seem to think she did anything wrong. Does anyone think I should speak with the HR person at my job to see if I could maybe work different hours than the girl's mom? I really need this job. I've gotten into way too much debt by being unemployed...........one of the things I could think of to do with $1000..........Oh, plus, I don't just want to run away from these people. I'm sort of on a journey right now to try to not be a coward, stand up for myself, stick with things even when they get too hard, and to NOT LIE. In the past, I used to lie about things, but it was mostly to do with wanting to be with a stupid guy that other people didn't approve of. I just don't feel right about lying anymore.....even smaller lies. It unsettles me to my bones. You are right wisewoman, there do seem to be far too serious consequences for any inappropriate behavior. It helps to have confirmation of my intital instincts. Thank you again to everyone, and I greatly appreciate any input.

[bebop]

if you had no insurance at the time of the accident and you try to file on insurance now saying it happened other than when/where it did you can go to prison. first of all you are suppose to have it in most states now just to get a lic plate on the car. good luck and yes the cop was trying to get into your pants

If I were you I would report the cop to his supervisor. Since this guy seems to be so comfortable doing this to yuo -convincing you to lie for insurance and so on he has probably done it before. Also if you go through with this plan of the cops besides insurance fraud this cop will be holding what you did over your head, especially if he is trying to get in your pants. He will hold what you did about this situation over your head to prevent you from reporting him should he decide to not take no for an answer and rape you. A cop here is in jail right now for sexual assault and so on for using his position to prevent rapes from being reported by those he let go on certain charges.

My suggestion is come clean make an honest police report with another police official about the accident. you may have to pay bucks because the accident was your fault but this police officer will not be able to blackmail and cause you harm because he is inticing you to commit other crimes which insurance fraud is a crime punishable with fines and jail time depending on first time offense and so on.

[insideout]

http://forum.freeadvice.com/ is a good site for legal advice. it has helped me a few times.

(i hope its okay that i am posting a link)

[rebecca8]

thank you for your help. i visited freeadvice.com. I am thinking of not paying this girl anything. I don't even think I am obligated to. Why should I put myself out for being misinformed from the very beginning. If things were handled correctly, I would've gladly accepted the consequences for driving uninsured. If someone is going to try to take advantage of me for feeling responsible, then I think I need to protect myself. Thank you for all your support.

[brianm101]

Well you can wait and ask the judge. But you allready know don't you?.......lol

[wizzard]

I agree that is insurrance fraud and that cop dosen't sound like he's on the up and up either If I were you I would just go with your gut feeling on what is right to do you do not want to end up in jail yourself.

[rebecca8]

Well, it's been over 2 weeks since I spoke with the girl. I have had to work with her mother these past 2 weekends. Last Sunday, I think they realized that I wasn't going to call back, and her mom was being pretty bossy with me. Well, that's the way it seemed, but maybe I'm being extra paranoid. Someone older and wiser with experience with these types of things told me to just keep my mouth shut, and they will most likely leave me alone because they know they can't do anything about it now. The girl had her chance to file a report, and a claim if she truly did have a valid license and insurance. Like I said, I think there is way more to her story. However, now, I am feeling kinda bad because I will not have compensated her anything. I feel like the bad guy. At least I don't have to see this girl's mother at work anymore because I just got transferred to a different position. Am I a bad person because I am basically saying to them.......hey, you gotta eat your losses, tough luck.........?? I tried to offer her at least enough money to buy something to get her to work and back. She gave me such a spoiled attitude about that offer, and I don't think I should try again. It seems like I would dig myself deeper if I kept opening my mouth, and wallet for that matter. I'm just starting to feel bad about it now, and wondering if I am a bad person.

[bebop]

no you are not a bad person! the cop was stupid and apparently so was this girl.