|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 27, 2018 23:28:35 GMT
This is the first time I have been involved in a car accident where I need to figure out how to handle it. This is in Washington State.
Short story (and I am ok -- aside from the soreness and stiffness that is settling in AND I have seen a medical provider)
I was stopped at a red light this morning and was rear ended. My vehicle was pushed into the vehicle in front of me. 4 cars, in total, were involved, mine being the worse damaged. I fully expect it to be totaled.
Upon calling my insurance I was told I could handle this one of two ways:
1. I can file with them and once all is said and done, they would cut me a check minus my deductible.
2. I can personally go after the other driver who hit me.
Any advice? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around having to pay the deductible if I am not at fault. Wanting to sit on this decision til I do more research as well as calm down.
I do have rental car coverage through mine for up to 30 days. The police were called and a report was filed. When I came home, I did write up a record of what happened, including the words the other driver said to me.
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by disneypal on Nov 27, 2018 23:35:37 GMT
I would call the insurance of the person that hit you and file a claim. I believe that is the most common way to handle it.
|
|
momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,151
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
|
Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 28, 2018 0:22:26 GMT
Glad you are ok. That seems weird to me, although I don't have any experience in Washington. Normally you aren't responsible for the deductible if you aren't at fault in my experience. The other thing that seems odd to me is that they want you to personally go after the other driver, normally we call our insurance company and they deal with the other insurance company/driver.
|
|
Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,661 
|
Post by Rhondito on Nov 28, 2018 0:27:40 GMT
Glad you are ok. That seems weird to me, although I don't have any experience in Washington. Normally you aren't responsible for the deductible if you aren't at fault in my experience. The other thing that seems odd to me is that they want you to personally go after the other driver, normally we call our insurance company and they deal with the other insurance company/driver. This is exactly how everything works here too. I wouldn't have to pay a deductible and my insurance would deal with everything, not me. |
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,942
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Nov 28, 2018 0:27:52 GMT
What does the police report say? Did anyone get a ticket? There are all kinds of ways this could go. The person that hit you could claim you stopped to quickly causing the accident, then you would be responsible for yours and their vehicle, as well as the vehicle in front of you. The person in front of you could make a claim against you while you claim against the one that hit you, and probably the same for the 4th car. If the police report does not indicate who was at fault and no one received the ticket, it may be best to just file with your company as long as each of the other drivers do the same. I would sit on this a little bit until you get a feel for how the others are handling the situation. And of course, continue your research so you have enough info to make a decision you feel good about.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 4, 2024 18:12:36 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 0:29:31 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit.
|
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 1:19:27 GMT
What does the police report say? Did anyone get a ticket? There are all kinds of ways this could go. The person that hit you could claim you stopped to quickly causing the accident, then you would be responsible for yours and their vehicle, as well as the vehicle in front of you. The person in front of you could make a claim against you while you claim against the one that hit you, and probably the same for the 4th car. If the police report does not indicate who was at fault and no one received the ticket, it may be best to just file with your company as long as each of the other drivers do the same. I would sit on this a little bit until you get a feel for how the others are handling the situation. And of course, continue your research so you have enough info to make a decision you feel good about. Not aware of any tickets however I wasn't present where the police were the entire time. My car was the only one needing to be towed so I was trying to figure that out. I was at a complete stop for a couple seconds at least when I looked up, and police report does say the driver was following too close, unable to stop in time due to wet roads and towing a trailer. |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 1:20:05 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit. Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 1:20:52 GMT
Glad you are ok. That seems weird to me, although I don't have any experience in Washington. Normally you aren't responsible for the deductible if you aren't at fault in my experience. The other thing that seems odd to me is that they want you to personally go after the other driver, normally we call our insurance company and they deal with the other insurance company/driver. Thank you. Going to make some more calls in the morning. |
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Nov 28, 2018 1:23:55 GMT
Interesting. DS was sideswiped a few years ago when a girl pulled out in front of him and he swerved to avoid her. She was deemed 100% at fault and we never paid our deductible or a single penny. DS spoke briefly with her insurance agent (who called us) and that’s it. We have USAA, if that matters.
I’d be cautious about speaking with another agent. You don’t know what you say that could be used against you. I coached DS pretty heavily ahead of time, he gave only yes or no answers, and we were on speaker phone so that I could hear the call. But we did know that the other driver had been ticketed and deemed 100% at fault. If she had contested the ticket, DS could have been called to testify against her, but she paid the ticket.
|
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 1:28:47 GMT
Interesting. DS was sideswiped a few years ago when a girl pulled out in front of him and he swerved to avoid her. She was deemed 100% at fault and we never paid our deductible or a single penny. DS spoke briefly with her insurance agent and that’s it. We have USAA, if that matters. In Washington? We don’t have that insurance but it is a well known one. I didn’t have the energy to deal with it when I called. I was just trying to figure out where the heck to have the van towed to. |
|
|
|
Post by bc2ca on Nov 28, 2018 1:32:14 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit. Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? Your vehicle is the one that hit their vehicle, so they will make an initial claim against you. I would let my insurance deal with it all, especially with multiple vehicles and claims involved. Based on what you wrote here, the driver who hit you is likely to be responsible for both vehicles although their insurance could argue that you were stopped too close to the car in front of you and so responsible for a % of their vehicle damage. |
|
psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
|
Post by psiluvu on Nov 28, 2018 1:33:08 GMT
Glad you are ok. That seems weird to me, although I don't have any experience in Washington. Normally you aren't responsible for the deductible if you aren't at fault in my experience. The other thing that seems odd to me is that they want you to personally go after the other driver, normally we call our insurance company and they deal with the other insurance company/driver.I work in insurance defence and that is exactly how it works here too. I hope you are not too sore tomorrow. |
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Nov 28, 2018 1:36:30 GMT
Interesting. DS was sideswiped a few years ago when a girl pulled out in front of him and he swerved to avoid her. She was deemed 100% at fault and we never paid our deductible or a single penny. DS spoke briefly with her insurance agent and that’s it. We have USAA, if that matters. In Washington? We don’t have that insurance but it is a well known one. I didn’t have the energy to deal with it when I called. I was just trying to figure out where the heck to have the van towed to. We live in Virginia. Honestly, I thought that was what insurance companies did—took care of the car and the other company/lawyers. USAA insurance is for military members and their dependents. It is very highly rated. Over the years, I’ve seen the Peas have more things not covered or high deductibles for things that are included in our monthly payments. I don’t ever see me switching! I never saw a bill and other than the initial call at the time of the accident, never dealt with the auto shop or the other insurance. USAA took care of everything. I’m sorry that you are dealing with this and I’m glad that you are ok. |
|
samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,897
|
Post by samantha25 on Nov 28, 2018 1:41:17 GMT
My DH was in a hit and run (parked while getting gas), about $10,000 damage to van. We had to pay the deductible. The driver of a company vehicle fled the scene. The DA called us a few months later to try and claim our deductible as they were filing a state case against him. Sadly the culprit left the country and was never found and we never got out deductible back. I always wondered why the owner of company vehicle was not at fault and insurance could not pursue the company. We are in Colorado.
|
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,942
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Nov 28, 2018 1:45:51 GMT
What does the police report say? Did anyone get a ticket? There are all kinds of ways this could go. The person that hit you could claim you stopped to quickly causing the accident, then you would be responsible for yours and their vehicle, as well as the vehicle in front of you. The person in front of you could make a claim against you while you claim against the one that hit you, and probably the same for the 4th car. If the police report does not indicate who was at fault and no one received the ticket, it may be best to just file with your company as long as each of the other drivers do the same. I would sit on this a little bit until you get a feel for how the others are handling the situation. And of course, continue your research so you have enough info to make a decision you feel good about. Not aware of any tickets however I wasn't present where the police were the entire time. My car was the only one needing to be towed so I was trying to figure that out. I was at a complete stop for a couple seconds at least when I looked up, and police report does say the driver was following too close, unable to stop in time due to wet roads and towing a trailer. In that case, I would probably lean claiming against his insurance. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 4, 2024 18:12:36 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 1:48:06 GMT
What company are you with?
Allstate handle the whole accident for me and provided a lawyer.
You will be sued by a the driver of the car you hit. If that car hit another car you will be sued by that driver too. You will end up making a claim against the original driver that will cover the other 2 suits. Your insurance lawyer should handle that.
|
|
|
|
Post by jumperhop on Nov 28, 2018 1:50:52 GMT
Weird information you were given I am in WA too and it’s always been if it isn’t your fault you don’t have to pay a deductible.
Jen
|
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 2:01:59 GMT
Weird information you were given I am in WA too and it’s always been if it isn’t your fault you don’t have to pay a deductible. Jen Thank you! I get the other drivers will trickle down but my understanding is the first vehicle will hold the most liability. I’m not even sure I mentioned the 3rd and 4th car when I called since all I was after was information about towing and then she was telling me my options. |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 2:04:22 GMT
What company are you with? Allstate handle the whole accident for me and provided a lawyer. You will be sued by a the driver of the car you hit. If that car hit another car you will be sued by that driver too. You will end up making a claim against the original driver that will cover the other 2 suits. Your insurance lawyer should handle that. We are with safeco/liberty. I get things will trickle down, but am hoping the guy who hit me ends up with most of, if not all of, the liability given how it played out. |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 2:06:26 GMT
In Washington? We don’t have that insurance but it is a well known one. I didn’t have the energy to deal with it when I called. I was just trying to figure out where the heck to have the van towed to. We live in Virginia. Honestly, I thought that was what insurance companies did—took care of the car and the other company/lawyers. USAA insurance is for military members and their dependents. It is very highly rated. Over the years, I’ve seen the Peas have more things not covered or high deductibles for things that are included in our monthly payments. I don’t ever see me switching! I never saw a bill and other than the initial call at the time of the accident, never dealt with the auto shop or the other insurance. USAA took care of everything. I’m sorry that you are dealing with this and I’m glad that you are ok. Thank you. I figured that is part of what I was paying for with insurance. Peace of mind if something does happen. Time will tell when I call tomorrow. Want another conversation with them when I am hopefully clearer minded. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 4, 2024 18:12:36 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2018 2:37:22 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit. Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? Yup. That is why you are to maintain a specific distance between you and the car in front. That drivers insurance will state that too. Happened to a friend. She was the second to last car hit. Her inshrance paid out for the car she "hit" even though she was stopped. |
|
|
|
Post by anneinwa on Nov 28, 2018 3:01:03 GMT
Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? Yup. That is why you are to maintain a specific distance between you and the car in front. That drivers insurance will state that too. Happened to a friend. She was the second to last car hit. Her inshrance paid out for the car she "hit" even though she was stopped. Honestly I do get that but am having a hard time finding that distance. Have a newly permitted driver and of course, guess where her rules book currently is... appropriate distance is something I drill into her so am really curious to find out what that legally is. I am never right on someone’s bumper, for this specific reason. Ok scanning the online manual for and it discusses appropriate space when moving but not seeing when stopped. |
|
|
|
Post by manda on Nov 28, 2018 3:49:21 GMT
Hi, I was rear ended 3 times in 2014, 2015, and 2016. I'm in California. My own insurance handled the auto claims withe the other insurance for my car each time.
In the third accident I was also at a red light and the front car (#1) of a car (#2) that was rear ended by the truck (#3) behind it. The middle car driver was not held liable for my car and the driver of the truck that caused the accident was found liable for both of our vehicles (hers was totaled). That accident was the only one where the police were called and I was provided a police report.
I had to pay deductible out of pocket for accident number 3 initially as the middle car insurance wouldn't accept liability and the last car's insurance was difficult to work with initially according to my insurance. I eventually was reimbursed for the deductible 3 months later. In my first two car accidents, they waived me immediately from having to pay it and got it directly from the other insurance company. I think it's because those were more easily to identify fault whereas not so easy in my last accident. Now, each state is a little different about liability, but here in California for each of my accidents, my auto insurance handled the auto claims for each accident and worked with the other insurance to recoup the cost of my deductible and rental car. If I were you, I would expect my auto insurance to handle the auto claims. You shouldn't be speaking to the other insurance company. Do not allow them to record your statement regarding the accident either as it could be used against you later. The other insurance company is going to be more concerned about a medical claim and try to get you to speak to them about that. Don't agree to settle. Your auto insurance company will not assist you with medical claims with the other insurance. For medical claims you must speak with the other insurance company. You also won't get far with them if you end up requiring treatment or missing work days. The first time I was rearended, I was just sore the first couple days but within a week I could barely move my neck or walk comfortably. I eventually had a lot of problems with my neck and back as I was hit pretty hard from behind. The second and third accident compounded my injuries and I've been in physical therapy for four years with injections and surgery over the course of the last four years. I now live in chronic pain. All this from what I thought were just simple rearend car accidents. When the first accident happened, the other insurance company pushed me hard to settle for an amount less than what I was out of pocket for which really surprised me. I wasn't getting anywhere. After the second accident, I hired an attorney and only just recently (first accident was November 2014) did I finalize all settlements for all accidents (they were all three defendants when I filed suit and it was complicated). My medical costs were significant as was the settlement amount.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have handled the first car accident differently and hired an attorney immediately. Anyway, I would recommend you speak with your auto insurance and ask why you need to pay deductible. Will they try to get this amount from the other insurance company while working on the auto claim? How will they handle the rental car? Do they set it up and pay for it up front or will you and then apply for reimbursement? Then, call the non emergency police department and ask for a copy of the report. This may take a couple days to be available but the police officer at the scene should have provided you with a report number. You can and should provide this report number to your insurance company. It will help them work with the other insurance companies to determine fault for each car. Due to a police report and finding of fault (depending on how your state laws work), you may not actually be liable for the car which you hit. If all of that gets overwhelming or confusing, consider calling an attorney or two for a free consult. Can't hurt. I do hope you have no physical after effects and are able to figure out the auto insurance part of all this. I wouldn't wish a car accident on anybody. They're a hot mess to deal with and the insurance companies resist making you whole. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask. |
|
likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
|
Post by likescarrots on Nov 28, 2018 4:14:08 GMT
I would call back your insurance company now that you're not right in the middle of the accident. I wonder if the person you spoke with just didn't understand the situation, I've NEVER heard of an insurance company not handling the situation.
|
|
|
|
Post by hop2 on Nov 28, 2018 4:44:22 GMT
If it had just been him rear ending you I would say go directly to his insurance company & file the claim. I did that with no issues. But being pushed into othercars I’m not sure how that works.
Hope you heal up fast, good luck with the insurance
|
|
Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,947
Location: North Idaho
|
Post by Nink on Nov 28, 2018 5:56:16 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit. Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? I was the middle car in a rear end collision once. Guy hit me at high rate of speed and pushed me into car in front of me. Insurance co. for the Guy who hit me paid my damages. Guy in front of me put a claim in to my insurance co. My insurance co. received reimbursement from guy who caused it for the car I hit. So technically while my insurance did have to pay for the car in front of me. They got their money back from the guy who hit me. |
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,838
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Nov 28, 2018 12:13:27 GMT
Call the person who hit you insurance company. But be fully aware that your insurance company will most likely receive a claim for the person you hit. Even though I was at a complete stop at a red light when I was hit? Yes because you were not in park. |
|
|
|
Post by christine58 on Nov 28, 2018 12:18:56 GMT
Yes because you were not in park. Who puts their car in park at a light??? anneinwa Your insurance company needs to file against the company of the person who hit you. YOU don't have to do anything. They will send an adjuster etc. |
|
SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
|
Post by SabrinaP on Nov 28, 2018 12:38:46 GMT
I was stopped at a red light and hit behind. I was the 4th car in line. I did not hit the car in front of me. The driver in the back of the line ended up being responsible for everyone’s cars.
|
|
