I was rear-ended while stopped in traffic on the freeway, heading out for a camping trip. I was completely stationary when a van behind me failed to stop and collided with me at about 20-30 mph. Fortunately, I have a rear camera on my truck that recorded the driver looking at his phone, and he admitted to not stopping as soon as I got out of my vehicle.
My insurance (GEICO) has offered me the choice to go through them or the at-fault party’s insurance, which is American Way, associated with a Xerox van. When I called them the same day to report the incident with the police report, they informed me that they handle claims through a third party called Sedgwick. I paid $30,000 for my truck less than a year ago, with $10,000 of that attributed to various add-ons.
The other insurance company stated I would need to wait five days to process the claim. The rear frame of my truck is sagging, and I’m uncertain about the condition of the rest of the frame. Most people I’ve consulted believe they may total the truck.
Additionally, I’ve retained a local attorney for any bodily injury claims. I work from home but have been unable to sit at my desk for more than an hour. I saw a chiropractor today and hired the attorney as well.
They mentioned that the process could take six to nine months, with potential settlements ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 just for medical expenses.
Does this timeline seem typical? Am I likely to recover the additional $10,000 for my truck? The KBB value is around $20,000, but I spent $30,000 on it. My Yakima box and paddleboard on the back were also destroyed.
My own insurance said that if I choose to use them for the truck, I’d still need to go through the other party’s insurance to recover the costs of my lost items and to determine the truck’s value after repairs.
After 20 years of driving without a fender bender, I’m feeling overwhelmed. Should I just proceed with my own insurance?
Thanks for letting me vent.
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation; that sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful. From what you’ve described, it seems like you’re taking the right steps by documenting everything and hiring an attorney to handle your bodily injury claim.
Regarding your questions:
Settling for Medical Claims: It’s not uncommon for these types of claims to take several months. The timeline of 6-9 months for your medical claim is generally reasonable, especially if there are ongoing treatments like chiropractic care. It’s important to keep detailed records of all your medical expenses and treatments, as that will help with your claim.
Recouping Loss on the Truck: As for your truck, typically, the insurance company will assess the value based on its current market value (which may not always reflect what you paid for it). Since you added modifications worth $10k, you may need to provide documentation of those add-ons to support your case for the higher value. However, it’s possible that if they total your truck, you might only get its actual cash value, which could be less than what you paid.
Yakima Box and Paddleboard: You should definitely discuss with your attorney and the insurance adjuster about recouping losses for your Yakima box and paddleboard. Since those were damaged in the accident, their value should be included in your claim, and your own insurance might help cover those costs too.
Using Your Own Insurance: Using your own insurance might expedite the process for getting your truck repaired or replaced, but you’ll likely still need to pursue the other driver’s insurance for reimbursement of your out-of-pocket expenses (like any deductibles or for lost items). Make sure you weigh the pros and cons with your attorney, as they’ll have a better understanding of your specific situation.
Overall, it seems like you’re handling the situation well by seeking legal advice and documenting everything. Just make sure to stay in communication with your attorney and keep them updated on any developments. Hang in there, and I hope things get resolved for you sooner rather than later!