Help

Location: MD A 7 year old child hit my car back in August causing fairly significant damage. My front bumper which was replaced back in January due to an accident in the snow, is now broken and will not pop back in. I have the child on video, a handwritten letter from the parent, and 2 estimates. I contacted the parent from the number she left on the note to try and sort things out the simple way, but her husband got involved and basically told me I need to go through my insurance and they would “help” with the deductible, not pay it in full. I don’t need my insurance going up because it has already dramatically increased from the past accident and was not my fault. Insurance companies these days will raise your payment just for finding out a kid with a bike even rides on your street these days it seems. Well, I decided to go an alternate route and just take them to court bc I should not be financially liable for even a single penny. Court date was today and the judge basically told me to go through a mediator so we can come to an agreement we are both happy with. My response was no bc I don’t owe them anything as I was the one to receive damages. She in turn stated if we proceeded the way we were I’d have to defend myself and could end up with nothing if I don’t have significant proof. I decided to go along with mediation and have yet to schedule, but I don’t have any experience with something like this and could really use someone who has knowledge on the subject. TIA!