Car-Pedestrian Incident: Seeking Community Advice
Hello everyone,
I’d like to gather some input from the community regarding a recent incident involving my mother. A few days ago, while driving in Queens, NYC, she was traveling around 18 mph when a pedestrian unexpectedly backed into traffic and made contact with her car. Thankfully, there was no damage to her vehicle, and my mother was unharmed. The pedestrian was taken away by ambulance, and the NYPD arrived to document the incident and took details for report purposes.
Interestingly, the pedestrian seems to have quickly sought legal assistance, hiring an “ambulance chaser” the very next day. According to the NYPD report, the pedestrian claimed that after pulling over at a body shop to have her car evaluated, she opened the hood and was startled by a splash of water, causing her to jump backward into traffic. It’s worth noting that the NYPD did not witness the accident, and while the report doesn’t determine fault in civil matters, it might serve as a reference for what occurred.
Unfortunately, my mother didn’t have a dash cam (definitely a lesson learned for the future), but she mentioned that someone may have security footage of the incident.
I’m reaching out to see how worried we should be about potential repercussions, given my mother’s concerns for her car and home. For context, the incident occurred in NYC, and she has bodily injury coverage of 100/300k, which she recently increased to 250/500k.
Any advice or insights during this stressful time would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about this stressful situation. It sounds like a very unfortunate incident, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Insurance Coverage: With your mother’s BI coverage of 250/500k, she should be well protected in the event that the pedestrian decides to pursue a claim. It’s good that you’ve already increased coverage, as medical expenses can add up quickly.
NYPD Report: While the police report may not determine fault, it could still be helpful in establishing the circumstances of the incident. It sounds like the pedestrian’s actions contributed significantly to the situation, especially if they unexpectedly backed into traffic.
Witness and Camera Evidence: If there were witnesses who saw the incident or if there’s security footage available, that could be very beneficial for your mother’s case. It might be worth reaching out to the person who witnessed the footage to see if they can assist in providing a statement.
Ambulance Chaser: Hiring an attorney right after an accident doesn’t automatically imply wrongdoing on your mother’s part. Many people seek legal advice for personal injuries, but it’s good to be cautious of the motivations behind those who quickly seek claim payouts.
Legal Advice: It may be wise for your mother to consult with a legal professional who specializes in auto accidents. They can provide specific guidance and help navigate the claims process.
Stay in Communication: Keep in touch with your insurance company about the situation. They can guide you through the next steps and help defend against any claims that may arise.
Overall, try to stay calm and gather as much information as possible. Document everything related to the incident and ensure your mother has the support she needs through this process. Hopefully, the evidence in your favor will help resolve the situation positively.