New Hampshire Auto Insurance
Question about being in an accident without coverage and Comparative Fault law in NH.
Back in December I was in an accident during the blizzard. There were accidents all up and down the street. The other driver then called the police and an accident report was filed. My car is well maintained and I was driving safely and at a distance from any other cars. However I make less than $2,000 a month and receive assistance thus can't afford insurance. NH does not require drivers to carry so I opted out.
My brakes froze up, and for an extended period of time my car slid in the snow and ice until it scraped another person's vehicle. Their car had very little damage minus a penciled size line of paint from my vehicle on the bottom, no dents or other serious damage. They filed a claim after a few months passed and the insurance co sent me a letter threatening to suspend my license and to pay thousands of dollars.
I went to the DMV and they told me that there was nothing on my license and that they would have to take me to court to do that and to call the company. I thought it would go to court and I could make my case on Comparative Fault, but the car insurance company sent it to a recovery agency 14 days after the claim was filed that is now trying to collect the money.
Do I get a lawyer to call them? They were really disrespectful when I tried to work with them. How much would Comparative Fault alter my case? Would my license be revoked without going to court? The collection agency tried to tell me that I would have to pay for everything and have my license suspended. I feel that the accident was under $1000 in damage but the officer never checked that box off and walked away before I could ask him about it. Could that be debated in court?
I have children and need my license, and otherwise have been a good driver. Now my insurance rate for my car going forward would be more expensive than before, which of course I can't afford. Looking for positive and constructive advice on how to handle this going forward. What can I do?