Navigating a Collision in Your Own Driveway: A Personal Dilemma
Accidents can occur in the most unexpected places, even right in the comfort of your own driveway. Recently, I found myself dealing with a peculiar situation involving two unoccupied vehicles: mine and my fiancé’s son’s classic project truck.
To provide some context, I am currently living with my fiancé and her teenage son, who drives a 1974 Ford F100. This truck is a work in progress, but it is fully licensed and insured. One day, while parked in our driveway, the young driver exited his vehicle, inadvertently causing it to roll backward and collide with my 2017 Expedition. Fortunately, this little mishap was caught on our security camera, showing that he had just stepped out when the accident occurred.
The impact caused significant damage to my Expedition, including a flat tire, a compromised bumper, and potential damage to the aftermarket wheels and suspension system. Considering the value of my vehicle, estimated between $12,000 – $14,000 and fully paid off, I was faced with a tough decision on how to handle the situation. My insurance includes comprehensive collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible, but I know the repair costs will likely exceed that amount.
Given the circumstances, I’m left wondering about liability. Is it the young driver’s fault for leaving the vehicle unattended, or should this be classified as a freak accident? Additionally, could this situation be covered under homeowners insurance, or would that lead to an unwanted increase in premiums — especially since we had a hefty ice dam claim a few years back?
Moreover, I can’t ignore the implications this could have for the young driver. If deemed at-fault, this would be his third incident since he started driving at sixteen, and the second this year, which could impact his insurance rates moving forward.
While it’s tempting to consider repairing the vehicle for safety and functionality without going through an insurance claim, I’m concerned that such a decision could degrade the value of my Expedition—turning it from a well-maintained vehicle to a “very good beater.” After all, I have taken pride in keeping my vehicle in excellent condition, happily enjoying the lack of car payments and aiming for a few more years of use.
This situation is particularly disheartening because I really enjoy working on car projects with my future stepson, and I support his passion for automobiles. However, both time and financial resources are limited at this
