Accident While Stopped on the Road!
Today, while leaving work on a two-lane road, the car in front of me suddenly came to a halt about 20 feet ahead. Given the abundance of wildlife in the area, I assumed she was stopping for some geese or other birds. With traffic behind me, I closed the gap to about 12 feet, ensuring there was still enough space for any unexpected events. However, I was caught off guard when she unexpectedly reversed into the front left corner of my car. The whole incident felt like it happened in an instant! I couldn’t back up since there were cars behind me.
After pulling over, we exchanged information. It turned out she worked in a department I’m not familiar with, so we had never crossed paths before. Thankfully, we both have the same insurance company, and I contacted the local police to file a report.
I also reached out to my insurance company to inform them of the situation and provided them with her details. They opened a claim under my policy, which they said is standard procedure. Now, they need to wait for her to file a claim so that my claim can be processed under hers, or they may open a claim on her policy after conducting an internal review. Thanks to my dash cam footage, I was deemed not at fault, and my repair estimate has been completed.
What’s the next step? Does any of this seem normal? It’s been about 20 years since I’ve dealt with an insurance claim, and I’m a bit out of the loop!
It sounds like you handled the situation pretty well after the accident. Here’s a general overview of what typically happens next and whether it seems right based on your description:
Claim Process: It is normal for your insurance company to open a claim under your policy first, especially since you were involved in an accident. Since you have dash cam footage that supports your version of events, it’s good that you have that evidence. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to first process the claim under your policy while they investigate.
Investigation: The internal investigation you mentioned usually involves your insurance company examining the accident details, including reviewing the dash cam footage, witness statements, and any police reports. This is typical in order to determine fault and who will ultimately pay for the damages.
Liability Determination: Once the investigation is complete, your insurance company will determine liability. Since you’ve mentioned that you were deemed not at fault, this should work in your favor. If they find that the other driver was at fault, they would typically pursue the claim under her insurance policy.
Repairs and Payments: If her insurance accepts liability and covers the damages, they will pay your repair costs directly. If they deny the claim or if she doesn’t file, then your insurance may cover it, and they will likely try to recover the costs from her insurer after their investigation.
Communication: Stay in touch with your insurance company for updates. They should keep you informed about the status of your claim and any actions they are taking regarding the other driver’s insurance.
Future Steps: If it takes a long time to resolve, or if you feel your insurance isn’t representing your interests well, you can consider talking to a claims adjuster or even a legal expert for advice.
Overall, it sounds like you’re following the correct procedures. Involving the police and having dash cam footage only strengthens your position. Just be patient as these investigations can take some time. Good luck, and I hope it all resolves smoothly!