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A friend of mine was driving my vehicle and got into an accident. Now refusing to pay for damages?

A friend was driving my car and damaged it. Now refusing to pay for damages. What should I do? A (now former) friend of mine was driving my car. Myself, her and a mutual friend were all in the vehicle. She was backing out of a driveway and backed into a hydro pole damaging my quarter panel. She claimed she would pay for it no problem just get her the quote. I got her the quote but she was having a rough time with life (dad had back surgery, got kicked out of her house etc.) I thought as I friend I would not hassle her too much until things cooled down. This all happened August 1st. On the 15th/16th she called me to chat and I asked her if she was still planning on paying for damages. She gave a quick "if you really want me too" than hung up the phone. I tried getting a hold of her for the next 24hrs with no luck. She than sent me a text saying she has more important things to worry about than my car, also her mother sent me a message saying if she said she'll pay she probably would but whos to say she did it in the first place. I told her she had 2 days to get ahold of me or I would be taking legal action. I got a hold of her yesterday, told her if she wasnt willing to pay for the damages I would file a report and contact my insurance company etc. She basically laughed in my face and told me I just lost a good friend (some friend). I told her she had until tomorrow (today) to make up her mind. I would give her a paper copy of the quote if she did decide to pay for it. She than called me saying her mother and herself went to the police station and they told her i couldnt do anything, also she claims she contacted her insurance company and they told her she couldnt be held liable. My family and I believe she is bluffing as for the reasons of the fact her mother is in a wheelchair and they have no wheelchair accessable vehicle to get to the police station. Also she refused to give me her insurance information and hung up the phone after I asked. The question was raised as to why she would go to her insurance company and the police station and implicate herself? Now there were witness's. All of which saw the whole thing happen as well she the "business man handshake" go down. We called the OPP(I live in ontario) and they said we need to file a police report with any evidence and names of witness's than give the report to my insurance as well as the quote for the damages. My question is what is the likely outcome? She does have a license and insurance, there were witness's who saw it take place and I have photos of the damage. My only worry is that since some time has passed nothing can be done. Also I was later informed that she had taken several valium pills before the accident took place. I was not aware of this at the time. Any answers, advice etc is welcome. (please no answers consisting of "Your an idiot for letting someone else drive your car. I know what i did wrong. thanks) Dylanfox-> yes for sure. PJ-> I plan on going to my insurance company today and asking them what my options are. Artman-> Thank you for your response. I still have the text messages but there were no emails. I do not plan on contacting her in any way shape or form. There are witness's willing to testify. Your last part gave me a chuckle...very true. The Ringleader-> The next day she claimed that her mother let her back in the house. It was more or less an arguement went down and words were said. She was kicked out for less than 5 hours. Infact I almost believe it never happened and was just an excuse. Angel G-> She does have the money. Herself and her family are very VERY well off. Its not a matter of that she cannot pay for it, its a matter that she just refuses to. She is also a very dramatic person. I believe most of the issues she claimed to be going on were either over exaggerated or non-exsistant.

Public Comments

1. at least now you know who your "friend" is!
2. You need to call YOUR insurance company and talk with them. They can give you more accurate information than you will get here since they know your policy and the laws in your area. Good luck.
3. File a police report and, and take her to small claim court. Keep the text messages as evidence since she's basically admitting everything (even better if your phone company have them printed for you). Also keep and print the emails; DO NOT tell her about the evidence or she will try to cover her tracks; also get some witness willing to testify. Also if the hydro pole was damaged the police will be very interested to make her pay for the repair of the pole. You also learn an important lesson: there is no loyalty among women.
4. Well...you'd only be an idiot if you've known her to be a reckless driver. Otherwise, you know, accidents do happen. They can happen to anyone and honestly, she just kicked out of her house? Cut her a break! She should still be held responsible, and the way she's behaving toward you isn't cool at all, but it sounds like she's going through a lot and you're whining about a car?
5. Any friend or person with a sense of right and wrong would not only offer to pay but would have given you 10.00 toward your car. My first thought was she just doesn't have the money, that's the only reason people hang up the way she did. You just didn't know that you were friends with someone whose life was so bad that they used drugs to escape. It's easier for her to say you lost a friend apparently, than to say "I just don't have the money". she never really was 100% your friend or even her own friend. The whole situation is overwhelming to her. She can't even handle her own life much more be expected to act appropriately in the situation involving someone else(you). Get your lawyer,contact your insurance for good advice. and just don't be surprised if you spend more money than you received, because she and her mother obviously just don't have any money. When the final out come of all of this reveals itself just don't walk around angry or grudging, she never really was ever a responsible person. Just forget her. If you don't then you will have let her life's muck and mire rub off on you. When you walk away from the whole situation,think 1. I was a good person. 2. I befriended her. 3. I treated her with trust and good will. I did everything that God and society expect me to do to my fellow man. I am so sorry for this whole experience for you. This is a situation where you're being asked to apply your Christian education, patience, love and forgiveness.