Navigating Collision Claims: A Personal Experience in the Driveway
Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and sometimes, these moments arise from the most mundane situations—like a fender bender in your own driveway. Recently, I encountered an unfortunate incident involving two parked vehicles, and I’m reaching out for advice on how to handle it.
As a single individual engaged to my partner, our household includes her son, who, at 20 years old, has inherited a 1974 Ford F100 that he’s enthusiastically working on as a project vehicle. Despite its vintage status, the truck is fully licensed and insured. One day, while parked in our driveway, the situation took an unexpected turn.
After parking his truck on an incline and stepping out, the boy accidentally knocked the gear lever, which caused the truck to roll backward and collide with my 2017 Expedition. Thankfully, the incident was captured on our security cameras, clearly showing that he was just stepping out of the vehicle when it happened.
The aftermath of the collision has left my Expedition, valued at approximately $12,000 to $14,000, with a flat tire and damage to the bumper, headlight, and possibly the suspension components. On the other hand, his truck incurred only minor scratches.
Now, I’m faced with some pressing questions. Given the circumstances, is he considered at fault since he had just exited the vehicle? Should I explore filing a claim through my insurance, or would it be more prudent to utilize our homeowner’s insurance? The worry here is compounded by a previous costly ice dam claim on the house, which makes me hesitant to put in another claim fearing an increase in our rates.
If it comes down to damaging his driving record, this incident would mark his third at-fault accident since obtaining his license, with two occurring this year. Our financial situation isn’t exactly luxurious at the moment, which brings me to consider whether we should fix the vehicle to a safe and roadworthy state, albeit not at a body shop standard. The Expedition was on its way to becoming a cherished asset rather than getting pushed down to the ‘beater’ category.
It’s disheartening, as I’ve maintained this vehicle well and was looking forward to enjoying it for a few more years, especially without the burden of car payments. Despite the frustration, I view this situation empathetically; he is a good kid, and I’ve supported him on his truck projects since he was six.
Now, I’m seeking guidance
