I recently had my first car accident and I’m feeling pretty confused about what to do next. A few days ago, I was involved in a lane change incident with a driver in a company vehicle, which resulted in significant damage to my door and mirror. My main concern was his well-being, so I took some photos for insurance and approached him to discuss next steps.
When I asked if we should pull over to sort things out, he seemed dodgy and just wanted to move on. Since he was in a company car that already had damage, I assumed he wasn’t too concerned about it. But when he got out of his vehicle, he claimed he hadn’t even seen me and dismissed the visible damage, saying it was nothing serious. Frustrated by his comments, I lost my cool. He mentioned having a dash cam, and I thought that might clear things up, but then he said he had unplugged it after the accident, which only escalated tensions.
Luckily, another driver, who I’ll call Tow Guy, stopped to help. He asked if we exchanged information, and I realized in the heat of the moment, I had forgotten. Tow Guy suggested we swap info and asked if we had insurance. As I searched for my insurance card—something I had taken out for paperwork and never put back—I felt overwhelmed and decided to take a step back. I told Tow Guy I could send the info later, as I was too frazzled to look it up at that moment.
Tow Guy then reassured me that the damage to my car was minor and offered to help with the repairs—letting the company’s insurance take care of any issues with their vehicle. This made me feel somewhat better, but I was still on edge. After we exchanged names and numbers, I later found out that the driver was worried about losing his job and that they seemed to think I didn’t have insurance.
Now, here’s where I need some guidance. I agreed to the arrangement, but I discovered that they filed a report for a hit-and-run and provided inaccurate information regarding the driver. I haven’t talked to them about this yet.
How can I protect myself from being accused of a hit-and-run? What should I tell my insurer about the accident? I truly don’t want the driver to lose his job—it’s tough out there. At the same time, I don’t want any legal issues arising from their insurance claims. Tow Guy is going to help with free repairs, and I only need to cover the cost of a new door. Was our agreement legal? Will my insurer care? I also don’t have collision coverage.
I’m worried I may have made a big mistake. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.
It sounds like you had a very stressful situation, and it’s understandable to be concerned about the implications of the accident. Here’s what you can do to navigate this situation:
Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, even if you don’t have collision coverage. Be honest about what happened and provide all the details you have, including any evidence you collected (pictures, the names of the other parties involved, and the fact that there were witnesses like Tow Guy). Your insurer will guide you on the next steps and how this might affect your claim.
Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications you have regarding the accident, including your conversations with CV, Tow Guy, and any details about the arrangement for repairs. Take notes of dates, times, and the information exchanged.
Talk to Tow Guy: Since Tow Guy facilitated the exchange, it may be helpful to reach out to him for any supporting statements he can provide about the incident and the arrangement you made. His perspective could help clarify what occurred if any disputes arise.
Avoid Any Further Communication with CV: If CV has mentioned filing a hit and run report, it’s best to avoid direct communication with him about the accident to prevent any misunderstanding or escalation of the situation. Instead, you can let your insurance handle any communication.
Consider Legal Advice: Given the potential for accusations and the hit and run claim that CV filed, it might be a good idea to consult with a legal professional who specializes in auto accident cases. They can offer advice specific to your situation and help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Understand the Arrangement: The arrangement you made for repairs with Tow Guy could be informal, but it’s essential to ensure it complies with any insurance requirements. Keep in mind that your insurer will likely want to know about any repairs done outside of their knowledge.
Be Honest and Transparent: When speaking with your insurer, be transparent about all aspects of the accident, including your willingness to work with CV and any arrangements made for repairs. Being forthcoming can help protect your interests.
Decide How You Want to Proceed: If you do have insurance, consider whether you want to proceed with a claim based on the damage to your vehicle. Even if you chose to pay for repairs out of pocket with Tow Guy later, having the accident documented formally with your insurer can provide you with protection against any disputes.
Navigating this situation may be complex, but focusing on clear documentation and communication with your insurer will be key to resolving it. Good luck!