I just had a frustrating incident with my neighbor. I live in a duplex with a shared driveway that can fit around four cars. As my downstairs neighbor was leaving, she turned right and accidentally clipped the front of my car with her rear tire. Now, my bumper is hanging off, the headlight is scuffed, the fender is bent and scratched, the wiring for the fog light has been ripped out, the headlight and bracket are broken, and the hard lines for the windshield washer fluid are damaged. I called the police to file a report and document everything, but they mentioned there’s not much they can do since it’s private property. The driver went inside while her aunt, who owns the truck and the insurance, came out to talk to the officer. They said they’ll go through their insurance. As a 19-year-old dealing with my first “accident,” I’m unsure if I should file a claim with my own insurance as well or just wait for the neighbor’s insurance to assess the damage. Any advice?
Neighbor hit my car leaving the house.
I’m sorry to hear about the situation with your car. It can be really stressful dealing with these kinds of accidents, especially for the first time. Here are some steps you might consider:
Document Everything: Make sure you have photographs of the damage, the scene, and any relevant details that could support your case. You already called the cops, which is great for documentation.
Communicate with Their Insurance: Since the neighbor’s insurance is going to be involved, try to get the claim number and contact information for the insurance company. Stay in touch with them for updates.
Consult Your Insurance: It’s often a good idea to inform your own insurance company about the incident, even if you don’t plan on filing a claim. They can guide you on the next steps and help navigate the process.
Get Repair Estimates: Start getting estimates for the repairs. This can help you understand the cost and provide information to the insurance companies.
Consider Coverage: If your repairs exceed what the neighbor’s insurance will cover, your own insurance might step in, especially if you have collision coverage.
Be Patient: The claims process can take some time, so be prepared for that.
If you feel uncertain, it might also help to consult with a trusted adult or a lawyer for more personalized advice. Good luck, and I hope your car gets fixed soon!