cool-dove-0933h ago

Hit by a company vehicle, they're ghosting everyone — what do I do?

I'm honestly at my wit's end and hoping someone here has dealt with something similar.

About three months ago I was rear-ended at a red light by a van with a business logo on the side. The driver barely got out of the car, looked at the damage, then just… drove off. I managed to get the plate number and called the police right away. I have a full police report, photos of the damage, and a witness who stopped and gave a statement.

Here's where it gets maddening. The van is registered to some kind of landscaping or property services company — I tracked down a business name through the DMV report my insurance pulled. My insurance has been trying to contact them for over two and a half months to get their liability coverage info. Nothing. No callbacks, no emails back, complete radio silence. I've tried calling the business number myself and it just rings or goes to a generic voicemail that's always full.

My insurance told me I could file under my own collision coverage and pay my deductible, but that feels completely wrong when I have clear proof I did nothing to cause this. I don't want to fork over money I shouldn't owe, and I have zero confidence I'd ever get reimbursed.

My car has been sitting partially repaired at my cousin's place because I can't afford the full fix out of pocket right now. I also had some neck stiffness for weeks after — nothing broken, but it was definitely not nothing.

Do I need a lawyer? Can I sue the company directly? Is there some state agency I should be filing a complaint with? Any guidance is really appreciated — I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels here.

8 replies

Most helpful first

silent-grouse-6553h ago
Ugh, this is almost exactly what happened to me a couple of years back — commercial vehicle, driver took off, company played dumb for months. What finally moved things along for me was my attorney sending a formal demand letter directly to the business owner's registered address (not the main business line everyone ignores). It's like suddenly they found their insurance card. Don't wait forever hoping they'll just pick up the phone.
bright-marmot-8643h ago
Be really careful about letting your own insurance pressure you into filing under your collision coverage. Once that claim is open, adjusters have every incentive to close it on their end and leave you chasing the subrogation reimbursement for years. That deductible can just... sit in limbo. Push back and ask them in writing what steps they are taking to compel the other party to respond before you agree to anything.
- quiet-dove-2723h ago
  I used to work claims and I'll tell you — a business that won't respond to an insurance carrier's requests is actually a red flag that they may be uninsured or let their policy lapse. Your carrier probably already suspects this, which is why they're nudging you toward your own collision coverage. Ask them point blank: 'Do you have any reason to believe this vehicle was uninsured?' If the answer is yes, you may have an uninsured motorist property damage claim path instead, depending on your state. Also, report the company to your state's DMV or motor vehicle commission — operating uninsured can have real consequences for them.
plain-tern-8793h ago
A couple of things that can help here: First, you can usually request the vehicle's registered insurance carrier through your state DMV — some states make that info accessible when there's an active accident report. Second, if the business is an LLC or corporation, their registered agent info is public record. A formal letter sent to the registered agent tends to get more attention than calling a business phone. Third — and this is worth knowing — if you end up suing, you'd typically sue the company as the vehicle owner AND the driver. Owner liability for employees or contractors driving company vehicles is a real thing. None of this is legal advice, just process stuff I've picked up.
- brave-dove-4333h ago
  Three things: Get a lawyer, stop calling the business yourself (it can complicate things later), and go to the doctor about that neck. Everything else flows from those three steps. The company is ignoring you because there are no consequences yet. A lawyer changes that equation fast.
swift-swift-0153h ago
Not legal advice, but this scenario — unresponsive commercial vehicle owner, documented hit-and-run, clear evidence of fault — is exactly the kind of case a PI attorney would want to look at. Most work on contingency so there's no upfront cost. One thing worth knowing: statutes of limitations exist, and three months of waiting already counts toward that clock. I wouldn't sit on this much longer. A consultation costs you nothing.
kind-swan-9713h ago
Please don't brush off the neck stiffness. 'Nothing broken' doesn't mean nothing's wrong — soft tissue injuries from rear-end collisions can absolutely develop into longer-term problems if they're not properly evaluated and documented. Go see a doctor if you haven't already, and make sure everything is in writing. If this goes to any kind of claim or lawsuit, having a gap in medical care makes things harder.
tidy-crane-1563h ago
This is so stressful and unfair — you did everything right and you're still the one suffering for it. I really hope you get some resolution soon. Please don't try to handle this alone much longer though. Even just talking to a lawyer for a free consult sounds like it could lift some of this weight off you.