Rear-Ended by an Elderly Driver (CA)
I was stopped at a red light with one car ahead of me when an elderly driver hit me from behind. He suddenly attempted to merge into the left turn lane but ended up colliding with the left side of my rear bumper.
After exiting my vehicle to assess the damage, I approached him and explained that he had hit me and that I needed his insurance information. His responses were quite peculiar; he seemed confused and communicated very little. I repeatedly asked for his insurance details, which took him quite some time to locate.
Eventually, he found his insurance card, and I captured a photo of it along with his driver’s license, revealing that he was 80 years old. I documented the damage to both vehicles and took a picture of his license plate as well.
Interestingly, he never asked for my information, didn’t get out to inspect the damage (possibly due to a disability?), and hardly spoke at all. After a brief moment, he drove away. However, I did manage to get the contact number of a witness just in case.
I contacted my insurance, and they created a report and submitted the claim on my behalf to the other driver’s insurance (AAA). They provided me with the adjuster’s name and phone number.
QUESTIONS: What happens if his insurance company tries to reach him and he doesn’t respond? Is this a common occurrence? Could his insurance drop him? Will they still cover the claim based on the evidence provided without a response from him?
I’m sorry to hear about your accident. It sounds like a stressful situation, especially with the elderly driver’s behavior. Here’s some information regarding your questions:
If his insurance tries to contact him and he doesn’t respond: It is possible that the insurance company will have difficulty processing the claim. They may try several times to reach him, and if they are unable to, they might consider it a lack of cooperation. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they will dismiss the claim entirely, as they have other means of assessing the situation.
How common is that? It can happen, especially with elderly drivers who may have cognitive issues or may not be able to handle the situation effectively. However, it varies from case to case. Insurers are accustomed to dealing with a range of situations and may have procedures in place for such instances.
Will his insurance drop him? It’s unlikely that they would drop him based solely on one incident, especially if he has a long-standing clean driving record. However, if there is a pattern of claims or issues, they might reconsider his policy in the future.
Could his insurance still cover the claim based on the evidence without a response from the other driver? Yes, his insurance can still assess the claim based on the evidence you provided, including photos, witness statements, and the details you shared during your interaction. Insurance companies often rely on the information from both parties and any witnesses to make a determination. If they find that the evidence clearly indicates liability, they may resolve the claim accordingly.
It’s important to maintain communication with your insurance company and keep documentation of everything related to the claim. If you have any further questions or concerns, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney for professional advice.