[techweenie]

Some guy in a newish F150 t-boned me on Skirball Drive years ago. He was apologetic and promised to pay for everything. I told him it was likely $8000 in damage (I ended up being off by $5). I got contact info from the guy behind me who watched the guy simply turn into me as if I wasn't there.

The next day, the Ford driver's tone was completely different. Seems I had run into the front of his truck with my Jeep's left side, and he wasn't going to pay, and by the way had no insurance.

So he said my insurance could 'take care of it.' I tried to tell him they would come after him for the money. He didn't believe it.

Being contrite and admitting guilt at the scene means nothing unless witnessed by a disinterested party, and even then, it's not the same as video or other empirical proof.

Don't count on the other driver to stay truthful.

Get the to the ER. Soft tissue injuries take days or more to show up. It was months before the (shoulder) injury from that particular impact manifested it self, and that was long after the claim was settled.

Oh, and 'pain and suffering?' Forget it. Old wives tale. Insurance companies don't pay out for that stuff unless you sue them, and that takes years.