Accident Involving a Forklift
Earlier this month, I experienced a peculiar accident next to a grocery store in California. As I stopped my car, I thought the forklift would pass by me, but the driver couldn’t see me due to a large blue trashcan they were carrying. Unfortunately, the forklift ended up hitting my car. The driver exited his vehicle to call his manager, and before I could request his ID, he went into the store. At that moment, I didn’t worry too much, assuming the incident would be handled through the store’s insurance since I had it all recorded on my dashcam.
Now, over three weeks have passed, and after reaching out to the manager to see if their insurance had been notified, he mentioned that it had already been reported. However, he seemed surprised that I hadn’t received a call yet.
I’m starting to suspect that he may have been putting on an act, and it feels like the store is trying to avoid taking responsibility. My dad thinks I may have been taken advantage of, and I’m starting to agree with him. What steps should I take next?
I’m sorry to hear about your accident; that does sound frustrating. Here are some steps you can take to address the situation:
Gather Evidence: Ensure you have all the evidence from the incident, including any dashcam footage, photos of the damage to your vehicle, and notes from your own experience of the accident.
Document Everything: Keep a record of all your communications with the store, including dates, times, and what was discussed. This can be helpful if you need to escalate the situation.
Contact Your Insurance Company: Reach out to your own insurance provider to inform them about the incident. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and may be able to assist in dealing with the store’s insurance.
File a Claim: If the store’s insurance is not responding, you might consider filing a claim with your own insurance, especially if you feel that they are stalling. Your insurance company might be able to pursue reimbursement from the store’s insurance.
Consult Legal Advice: If you still feel you’re not getting anywhere, you might want to consult with a personal injury attorney. They can advise you on your rights and options, especially if there’s significant damage or injury involved.
Follow Up: Don’t hesitate to follow up with the store’s manager or their insurance company. Persistence can sometimes yield results.
Consider Reporting the Incident: Depending on the extent of the damage or if there were injuries, you might want to report the incident to local authorities, especially if there are safety concerns related to the forklift operation.
Remember, it’s important to protect your rights and ensure you’re properly compensated for any damages. Good luck!