What’s going on with this deposit?!
I was in an accident on February 18th, where I was rear-ended by a driver going way too fast on the highway. After hitting me, they veered in front of my car, crossed into another lane, and collided with another vehicle. My two young children were in the car with me! We went to the hospital, got the kids checked out by their pediatrician (they’re okay), and I decided to hire a lawyer. I only spoke to the other driver’s insurance once, and it felt off, so I brought in legal help and haven’t heard anything since.
A few days ago, I received a Zelle payment from the insurance company labeled as a claim settlement. My lawyer has no idea what it’s regarding since they haven’t replied to their communications. I’m here to see if anyone knows what this payment could be for. I’ve heard it might be for the body shop or for PIP, but I’m uncertain about how to proceed with it! I’m waiting for my lawyer to get back to me, but I thought I’d reach out here in the meantime. This incident happened in Maryland, if that’s relevant.
Edit: Just to clarify, I’m looking for OPINIONS from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. I’m not expecting definitive answers, as I know this can vary by state, which is why I mentioned where I’m from. Thanks in advance!
It sounds like you’re in a really complex situation, and it’s completely understandable to have questions, especially after such a traumatic event. Zelle payments labeled as “claim settlement” can be confusing, particularly since you mentioned that your lawyer hasn’t heard back from the insurance company yet.
In general, such a payment could be one of several things:
Initial Settlement Payment: It might be a partial settlement for your damages, which could cover medical bills, property damage, or other expenses. If this is the case, you should confirm with your lawyer how to handle and report this payment.
PIP Payment: If you’re in Maryland and have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, it could be a payment related to that coverage. PIP usually helps cover medical expenses and other related costs, regardless of fault.
Payment to a Service Provider: Sometimes, these payments are intended to cover repairs or other costs associated with the accident. If that’s the case, it could be meant for the body shop or medical providers.
Given that you haven’t had clarity from the insurance company, it’s definitely wise to stay in contact with your lawyer. They can provide the best guidance on how to proceed once they have more information. In the meantime, hold off on spending or using that money until you know for sure what it’s for, as you may need to allocate it to certain bills or reimbursements.
Keep advocating for yourself, and I hope you get more answers soon!