File a claim against the drivers insurance. He was liable for the damage to your truck, his insurance should pay for the damages to your vehicle. If there is fence or tree damage that would be under your insurance. His company should pay for your truck, your company will pay for the fence and trees.

Minor DWI laws are different, and lenient...not going to be a huge deal....and assuming he has car insurance, file on his policy. If his parents aren't worthless they should pay any other costs for you.

True. This is where you find out just how good a friend he was.

Here's my take away from this...

Your son is ok.
Your son's friend is ok.

The aftermath sucks, but everyone is still here today.

Could be wrong here, but I thought that a driver's insurance covered them in any vehicle they were driving. If I borrow your truck and wreck it, then I file a claim under my insurance and it doesn't affect you at all except for the inconvenience.

As for the DUI, do they still do "Teen Court"? Many many years ago when I was in high school they did and it served as a relatively painless way for stupid kids to learn hard lessons. Any traffic violations or misdemeanor offense you could take to Teen Court and be tried by a jury of other high schoolers. They even had debate club kids that acted as lawyers. You would be sentenced to a penance of community service, and the incident would not be on your record. I think you could only go once, and were only eligible if under 18.

As for the DUI, do they still do "Teen Court"?


Probably not. The driver was 18, legally an adult. It will be his first DUI.

As for the DUI, the trooper said there were different classes that could be issued. He said generally he could issue a Class C to a minor. However, since he fled the scene and he had to track him down, they were going to charge him with fleeing the scene and move it to a class B DUI.

I feel bad for the kid. Terrible decision at 18 years old will stick with him for a while if the judge isn't easy on him.

So far, I called my insurance and his. His insurance says the mine will pay first and whatever mine doesn't cover, they will pick up. They did issue it as "at fault" angainst his insurance.

they are wrong - do not let your insurance company pay for your vehicle. File a claim against his insurance company for your damages.

Sounds like you need to consult with someone in the insurance game.