Did I make a mistake?
I was hit by a drunk driver who fled the scene. I filed a police report and hired a lawyer for my injuries. Initially, the at-fault driver’s insurance company denied my claim because the driver had escaped.
They sent an appraiser who deemed my car a total loss, as it was completely wrecked. I had a strong emotional attachment to my car, so I decided to see if I could fix it. I removed the damaged parts and stored them in the trunk, thinking I could assess the situation better.
Now, after four months, they are finally willing to settle and compensate me. However, I’m worried I may have unintentionally tampered with evidence by removing those parts. Did I mess up? Could they still deny my claim for the car even after they’ve already totaled it and agreed to pay?
It sounds like you’ve been through a tough situation with the accident. It’s understandable that you wanted to assess the damage to your car yourself, especially with a sentimental attachment.
Regarding your concerns about tampering with evidence, it’s important to note that you should be honest with your insurance company and your lawyer about what you did. Typically, if the insurance company has already determined that your car is totaled and has agreed to pay you, this implies they have accepted their assessment of the vehicle’s condition.
However, since you removed parts from the car, there is a possibility that they may have questions about the extent of the damage. Being transparent and providing all the information to your lawyer is crucial, as they can give you the best advice on how to proceed.
Most likely, they can’t rescind their decision to total your car if that’s already been finalized, but being upfront will help ensure that your case is handled properly. In the future, it’s always a good idea to consult with your lawyer before making decisions that could be perceived as altering evidence in any insurance claim.