Bus Collided with My Parked Car
So, I just got a new car after a previous accident (which wasn’t my fault), and I ended up with a 2022 Nissan Sentra. Unfortunately, it was recently side-swiped by a school bus while it was parked. Thankfully, there was no one in the car at the time. I’m unsure how to handle this situation now. I was planning to trade in my Nissan after six months, but I know this accident will affect its value. What should I do?
I’m really sorry to hear about your car getting hit! That’s so frustrating, especially after just getting a new one. Here are some steps you can take to handle the situation:
Document the Incident: Take pictures of the damage to your car and the bus, and gather any information you can about the bus (like the bus number, the school district it belongs to, and the driver’s details).
Report the Accident: Contact your local authorities to report the incident if it hasn’t been done already. It’s essential to have an official record.
Notify Your Insurance Company: Reach out to your insurance provider to inform them about the incident. They can guide you on the claims process and help you understand any coverage options.
Contact the School District: Since a school bus was involved, you may need to file a claim with the school district. They usually have insurance to cover accidents involving their vehicles.
Get Repair Estimates: Take your car to a couple of body shops to get repair estimates. This will help you understand the extent of the damage and the potential impact on the car’s value.
Consider Your Trade-in Plans: While the accident may affect your car’s value, once it’s repaired, you can still trade it in. Just be honest about the car’s history when you do. Some dealers might make allowances for the previous damage, especially if it’s repaired professionally.
Stay Organized: Keep a file of all documents related to the accident, including correspondence with insurance companies, estimates, and any police reports.
I hope this helps, and that you can resolve everything quickly! Good luck!