This is a sad story, and one I have heard too many times. Recently a young woman wanted to switch insurance companies because the premiums from her current insurance provider had gone up after an accident for which she was at fault. At least that’s what she was told. You see, she was actually the victim but signed away her chances of proving it. Here’s what happened.
Let’s call her “Diane”… Diane was driving home from her day of college classes when she approached a yellow light and stopped. The gentleman driving behind her (let’s call him Tom), while talking on his cell phone, gunned his engine in an effort to “beat the light”, as I’m sure, he thought Diane would do.
So, this is a clear case of Tom being at fault and driving carelessly, or even recklessly, right? Well, it should have been. But Tom was a crafty one. He jumped out of his new BMW and started shouting at Diane for causing the accident. He then claimed to be a lawyer and insisted that Diane would be sued to the point where, IF she was able to continue with college, she would be paying him off for the rest of her life. He then softened up and told her that he understands accidents happen and all she had to do to avoid being sued was simply sign a statement saying she stopped too quickly and accidentally caused the incident. She signed it and that was that. Now she was “responsible” for the accident and could no longer afford her own auto insurance.
This happens more than you think so please follow this advice: Never Sign Anything (except a ticket from a police officer) at the Scene of an Accident.