My neighbor accidentally hit my car when leaving their driveway. I live in a duplex with a shared driveway that can fit four vehicles. As the downstairs neighbor was backing out and turning right, she clipped the front of my car with her rear tire. Now, my bumper is hanging off, the headlight is scuffed, the fender is bent and scratched, the fog light wiring assembly is torn, and several other components are damaged.
I called the police to report the incident and document everything, but they said they couldn’t do much since it happened on private property. The driver of the truck went inside, while her aunt, who owns the truck and handles the insurance, came out to talk to the officer. They mentioned they would go through their insurance to address the damage.
This is my first accident at 19, and I’m unsure about the next steps. Should I file a claim with my insurance too, or just wait for my neighbor’s insurance to assess the damage?
I’m sorry to hear about the accident! It sounds like a frustrating situation, especially since it’s your first experience with this kind of thing. Here are some steps to consider:
Document Everything: Make sure you have taken plenty of photos of your car’s damage, the scene of the accident, and any relevant details, such as skid marks or the position of both vehicles.
Wait for Insurance: Since the neighbor’s insurance has already been mentioned, you might consider waiting for them to assess the damage first. However, it’s always good to communicate with them regularly to keep updated on the status of your claim.
Claim Through Your Insurance: You might want to inform your insurance company about the incident, even if you don’t file a claim yet. They can provide guidance on how to proceed and what options you have. Some insurance policies work on a subrogation basis, so they may help recover the costs from the neighbor’s insurance.
Get Repair Estimates: Obtain estimates for how much it will cost to fix the damage. This can be useful for both your insurance company and the neighbor’s insurance.
Keep Records: Maintain all communication records with both insurances and any details related to the accident, as this will help in case of disputes.
Stay Calm: This can be stressful, but try to stay calm and handle it step by step. Accidents happen, and dealing with them is just part of car ownership.
Good luck! You’ve got this.