I’m dealing with some frustrating calls from the other party’s insurance. They keep insisting that I’m injured, despite the fact that I’m perfectly fine.
I was involved in a low-speed fender bender, which was my first accident in ten years of flawless driving. The other driver, who owns a black luxury SUV and runs a chiropractic business, doesn’t speak English very well. Meanwhile, I’m a disabled woman working at a grocery store, struggling to make ends meet.
The accident happened at night when both of us tried to change lanes. I checked my mirrors and used my blinker, but we ended up bumping into each other. The damage was minimal—he had a dent on his front quarter panel, and my truck ended up with a scratch. Both vehicles were still driveable, and there were no injuries, no airbags deployed, and no need for towing or ambulances.
I called the non-emergency police, as advised, because the other driver was uncooperative. His sister, who spoke English, yelled at me over the phone, even claiming that I owed them $8,000. I told them calmly that we could sort it out through insurance. I took photos and videos at the scene.
Despite my efforts to explain the situation to the officer, I received a civil lane change violation and was deemed at fault. I didn’t want to argue, so I paid the ticket, which effectively confirmed my liability. However, I still believe it should have been a shared fault since he also tried to change into my lane.
The very next day, I contacted my insurance to begin the claims process, but it seems the other party has been slow to do the same. After a month of back-and-forth, my insurance company initially said it was a 50/50 fault situation, but then later changed it to 100% my fault. Now, the other driver is claiming severe injuries, including whiplash, and is demanding $80,000—an outrageous amount for a minor collision with no reported injuries at the scene.
I understand that sometimes injuries can take time to manifest, but he waited two weeks to report this “severe injury.” The police report clearly states that there were no injuries, which I hope will work in my favor.
After the initial report, the state trooper told us we could leave since no medical assistance was needed. Fast forward to now, and the other party’s insurance continues to contact me, claiming my insurance isn’t cooperating. When they called again today, they were accusatory and reiterated that I supposedly have a claim against them for being injured—something that is completely untrue.
I responded by telling them to refer to my insurance for any details, emphasizing that there were no injuries or claims on my end. I also mentioned how the other party’s demands were intimidating, especially given my financial situation.
I’m worried that my bluntness may have complicated things. Why would they claim I’m injured when I haven’t reported anything? Is this a common tactic to elicit a larger settlement from someone who was involved in the accident?
From now on, I plan to avoid direct communication with them and let my insurance handle everything. Any advice or thoughts on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated. I really don’t want this to escalate further!
It sounds like you’re navigating a really frustrating situation, especially since this is your first accident. From what you’ve described, it seems like the other party might be trying to take advantage of your circumstances. Here are a few things to consider:
Stay Calm and Document Everything: It’s great that you’ve been diligent about taking photos and documenting the scene. Keep all correspondence with both insurance companies—this includes any calls or messages from the other party’s insurance.
Do Not Talk to the Other Party’s Insurance: You’ve made the right call by directing them to your own insurance. The less you say to them, the better. There’s a good chance they are trying to pressure you into admitting something or making a statement that could be used against you.
Injury Claims Are Common: Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to claim injuries after minor accidents, especially when they feel they can profit from it. The fact that the other party waited two weeks to claim injury raises red flags.
Insurance Handles Claims: Your insurance is supposed to work on your behalf, so let them take the lead. If you continue to receive annoying calls or harassment from the other party’s insurance, you have every right to inform your insurance about it—they can help handle it.
Legal Consultation Might Be Necessary: If things escalate or you feel overwhelmed, consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents. They can provide guidance and clarify your rights and obligations.
Communicate with Your Insurance: Keep in touch with your insurance company regarding updates on the status of your claim. If anything changes or if the other party’s insurance reaches out again, inform your insurance right away.
Remember, you are not at fault for wanting to protect yourself, and it sounds like you handled a challenging situation as best you could. Keep focusing on your well-being and let the insurance companies do their work.