unpaid ambulance debt collectors

i was in a car accident 5 years ago and i was the passenger as well as 2 other friends. The ambulance and police came for us but i refused to go into the ambulance because i was not injured. since i was a minor they told me i needed to go even though i had a ride coming to pick me up. my friends each got a bill a week later of 400$ for the ambulance bill but i never did. now 5 years after the accident im getting phone calls from debt collectors and i even got a notice from that debt collector for the bill.

I'm wondering if this effects my credit even though i was a passenger and the drivers insurance should cover all passengers if in a accident? I never gave the hospital they took us my social so can they figure out by my name? I'm not sure what to do now but i have ran my credit score and it doesn't say anything but i still cant get approved for a credit card.

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com:

If you have checked your credit reports from all three major credit reporting agencies at AnnualCreditReport.com and this debt does not appear there, then it has not been reported. Collection accounts may only be reported for 7.5 years from the date you first fell behind with the original creditor, so it sounds like there is only about 2 - 2.5 years left that this debt could be reported.

Debts incurred by minors typically aren't enforceable. We can't offer you legal advice, but if you don't believe the debt is valid you can send the collection agency a
cease contact letter explaining that you were a minor and asking them not to contact you again about the debt. Keep in mind, that doesn't prevent them from taking legal action. However, if they know you were a minor, they may decide not to pursue this debt against you in court. Again, we can't promise any particular results from your letter but you can keep it in mind as you consider your options for dealing with this debt.