To foolsh, I have this advice:
Be very careful about engaging a lawyer in order to take SMRT to
court.
Unless the lawyer someone you know well, I would consider any
advice he gives varefully. They might say, ya,ya, you got good
chance, let's proceed to court.
This is Singapore not the US, you go to court, you have to pay
legal fees upfront, no such thing as minus from the winnings. And
if you lose, you will likely have to pay the the other parties
legal fees and whatever damages.
Don't forget a court case is very taxing, a lot of preparation
is needed, so a lot of time is gonna be wasted. Are you really up
for this? The long haul.
Next also consider before writing to the press (that's if it
gets published).
Dont make this a big issue until you really have to. You force
their hand into defending themselves by going this route, and they
have or can afford to lose, can you?
The best at this stage is negotiate, try to make some
arrangements or compromise. Or as some put it, write the 1k deposit
and take this as a lesson learnt.
They can't force you to pay 2.5k, they can't bankrupt you for
this, at the most just send lawyer letters of demand, which can be
ignored.
The lesson to learn here is always take time to consider the
options after some trouble, like an accident. Don't rush to report,
even if you are in the right. Reporting takes much time and can go
both ways. Even if you think you're right, the other party might
actually lie in their report, and TP will just either ignore the
report or summon 1 or both drivers.
There is no big issue or specific law that you must report an
accident in 24hours, except in cases of injury. Even then it can
also depend on whether compensation was given and taken. I hit a
pedestrian, settled with him, later he make a report. TP write to
me 3 months later and ask me to report (thru Comfort). I lodged a
report, in the end also nothing happened. TP gave me a warning
(because no injury and the pedestrian had taken compensation but of
course later wanted more). I just paid the $1000 excess and am now
waiting for to get it back (or part of it). But I'm not presurising
them, letting things the normal course.
Also somebody hit me, something like your case. We ding dong
back and forth and finally he agreed to pay. Why? Because I knew I
was right. When you're right, reporting 1 week later or 1 month
later doesn't make a difference, as long as you have the facts and
photos of damages. But why didn't I report? Because of the time
involved. But if he did, then no choice I must, but his excess a
lot, and I suspected he wouldn't, win or lose he has to pay tht and
his yearly premium would go up.
Take this as a lesson, after an accident, follow the correct
steps, if injured party involved attend to them, call ambulance
etc. If not exchange particulars, take pictures and then negotiate.
Unless severe damage, no need to involve company.
