My parked car was hit while I was out today. I had it legally parked on the side of the road, but a neighbor was trying to back out of their driveway when a speeding driver swerved to avoid them and ended up hitting my car mirror. The driver stopped, left their contact information, and claimed they were not at fault for the incident. They also said they wouldn’t cover the repairs, arguing that it was the neighbor’s fault instead.
I have a video (though the quality isn’t great) that shows the speeding driver swerving and honking before making contact with my car— you can even hear the collision. My mirror was shattered, the housing is damaged, and I suspect the sensors might be too.
What should I do next? I’m considering going through insurance, but the other driver is insisting they aren’t to blame. My deductible is $1,000, and I really don’t want to get taken advantage of in this situation.
Edit #1: I contacted the police, and they obtained the other driver’s insurance information for me, so I have their details now.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; that sounds really frustrating. Here are some steps you can take:
Contact Your Insurance Company: Since you have a video that shows the incident, share that with your insurer. Explain the situation clearly and provide all the details, including the other driver’s information that you obtained from the police. They may be able to help you navigate the claim process.
Review Your Coverage: Check your insurance policy to understand how your deductible works, especially if you decide to go through your own insurance. They may also pursue reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance later.
Gather Evidence: Along with the video, collect any other evidence you have, such as photos of the damage, witness statements (if any), and any notes you took at the scene. This could support your claim and help establish that you were not at fault.
Insurance Claims Process: If your insurance company determines that you are not at fault, they may be able to recover your costs through subrogation, which means they’ll pursue the other party’s insurance for the damages.
Consider Legal Advice: If the other driver continues to dispute liability despite the evidence, it may be worth consulting with a lawyer who specializes in car accidents. They can provide guidance on your options, especially if you need to pursue a claim against the other driver personally.
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all communications with your insurance company, the other driver, and any repairs or assessments of the damage. This documentation may be very useful if you need to escalate the issue.
Stay Calm and Professional: Maintain a calm demeanor when dealing with the other driver and their insurance. Keeping everything professional can help ease the process.
I hope you get this resolved quickly!