My neighbor just hit my car while leaving her house. I live in a duplex with a shared driveway that can fit four vehicles. While she was backing out, 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 is torn, the headlight bracket is broken, and the hard lines for the headlight and windshield washer fluid are damaged. I called the police to file a report and document everything, but since it’s private property, their involvement was limited. The driver went inside to hide, while the aunt—who owns the truck and is on the insurance—came out to speak with the officer. They’ve said they will go through their insurance. I’m 19 and this is my first experience dealing with an accident. Should I file a claim with my insurance too, or should I just wait for my neighbor’s insurance to assess the situation?
Neighbor hit my car leaving the house.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; that sounds really frustrating, especially for your first experience with an accident. Here’s what you should consider doing:
Document Everything: Make sure you have taken plenty of pictures of the damage to your car, the scene of the incident, and any relevant details like the position of the vehicles.
Contact Your Insurance: It’s usually a good idea to inform your own insurance company about the incident, even if you plan to go through the neighbor’s insurance. They can guide you on the best steps to take and help you understand any potential coverage you might have.
Wait for Neighbor’s Insurance: Since the neighbor’s insurance is already involved, you can wait for them to inspect the damage and process the claim. However, keep in mind that it could take some time for them to respond.
Stay in Communication: Keep in touch with the neighbor and their insurance to make sure the claim is being handled. If things don’t progress, you might start to consider using your own insurance to expedite the repair process.
Know Your Options: If you are having trouble with the neighbor’s insurance or if they deny the claim, your policy may cover the damages, and your insurance company can then pursue the other party for reimbursement.
Remember to stay calm and patient as this process unfolds. Accidents are stressful, but it sounds like you’re taking the right steps to handle it. Good luck!