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Post by houstonsandy on Sept 27, 2021 22:26:26 GMT
Someone rearended me Saturday night. There was a car in front of me making a right turn (we were in one of those turn only lanes that go off at an angle to the other road..so not right square at the light at the intersection) and I was behind him. There was no oncoming traffic, he was proceeding but for whatever reason he suddenly stopped. My head was turned to look for oncoming traffic, (I was not going very fast...having just come from a complete stop... then turned and saw him stopped. I braked, but tapped him. TAPPED him like a gentle kiss...but the car behind me slammed into me hard enough to make his airbags deploy. The first guy got out...saw that there was no damage from the TAP, waved and left. I was more concerned about what was happening between me and guy behind me. I know I should have gotten the first guys info...but it is what it is.
I exchanged info with the guy behind me and we looked for damage. It was dark but nothing obvious was seen on either car. The next day all I can see is a very small indentation to the bumper, a small cut in the rubber under it, and it is just slightly misaligned on one side. The only other thing is that I have a message on my dash that the airbags and seat belt sensors need to be checked. Anyways...
When I called their insurance company today to deal with setting up a claim, after I gave my statement of the incident the agent said our stories did not match. Her client stated that I hit the car in front of me and then rolled back into his car.... Seems they neglected to mention that their airbags had deployed...
Now I am wondering...exactly how hard and fast would I have had to have been rolling back to cause his airbags to deploy? Not to mention that my foot never left the brake from the time of the tap and the hit from behind. It happened simultaneously. In fact, having my foot on the brake prevented me from being pushed harder into the car in front of me.
The agent did say that my version of the incident seems to make more sense...but that if it comes down to he said/she said the company will side with their client! WTH?
So now I have to go get pictures of the intersection to show that it was not on a "hill" or incline which will help show that I could not possibly have "rolled back" that forceably and the slight damage to the rear and no damage to the front of my car. She did say that when they inspect their client's car they will notice the airbags.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,940
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 27, 2021 22:43:15 GMT
It's a nice try on their part, but it won't hold up.
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Post by mollycoddle on Sept 27, 2021 22:48:34 GMT
Did you call your insurance agency? Even if you’re not making a claim, you have two conflicting stories about the accident. Maybe I’m wrong, though. Hopefully someone with some insurance knowledge will weigh in.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 27, 2021 22:50:31 GMT
Contact your insurance agent and let them deal with it. That’s what you pay them for. Considering you don’t have the 3rd driver to corroborate your story, you are going to be at the mercy of the other driver’s insurance. They will side with him so that they don’t have to pay out.
DD was rear ended in college. She was completely stopped at a red light. The police came, wrote a report and put fault on the guy who hit her. His insurance was Allstate and they refused to accept blame - even with a police report! We let State Farm deal with it. While we had to pay the deductible (DD’s car was totaled as he hit her so hard it bent the frame on a Mercedes Benz!), which we got back after all the legal maneuvering …a year later! Better than being on the hook for the whole thing though.
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Post by bc2ca on Sept 27, 2021 22:56:27 GMT
FWIW, IME the car at the back is always at fault in a rear ender.
DD was in a very minor accident a few years ago and the other driver told a very, very different story to her insurance. When talking to our agent, DD had her pull up google maps of the intersection so she could see exactly where it happened as the lane routing was difficult for her to explain.
FWIW, we both had the same insurance company which made it interesting to sort out fault. The physics involved and type of damage make it hard to sell a story that doesn't fit the damage to the vehicles. In our case the other driver finally accepted full responsibility.
I don't think I've ever talked to the other driver's insurance when making a claim. We just give all the information to Geico and they do their thing.
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Post by amp on Sept 27, 2021 23:15:45 GMT
Contact your insurance agent and let them deal with it. That’s what you pay them for. Considering you don’t have the 3rd driver to corroborate your story, you are going to be at the mercy of the other driver’s insurance. They will side with him so that they don’t have to pay out. DD was rear ended in college. She was completely stopped at a red light. The police came, wrote a report and put fault on the guy who hit her. His insurance was Allstate and they refused to accept blame - even with a police report! We let State Farm deal with it. While we had to pay the deductible (DD’s car was totaled as he hit her so hard it bent the frame on a Mercedes Benz!), which we got back after all the legal maneuvering …a year later! Better than being on the hook for the whole thing though. This.^^^ People lie. I had a guy claim I hit him...he even had a "witness"...and his insurance company was brutal with me. They even called me on Christmas Eve to give me a hard time. I believe his insurance company was Allstate, too. Anyway, my insurance company handled it...the case went to arbitration...I won, of course -- there wasn't even a dent on my car to show that I caused all the damage they claimed. My insurance company really took care of me (and themselves, of course...but still... I was grateful for them.) |
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Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884 
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Post by Just T on Sept 27, 2021 23:19:55 GMT
FWIW, IME the car at the back is always at fault in a rear ender. That is true, but sometimes, that sucks. A few years ago, my daughter was sitting at a stoplight. Completely stopped. Someone rear ended her. Their airbag went off. My daughter had whiplash. Her car was totaled. The force pushed her into the car in front of her at the stoplight, and our insurance had to pay for the damage to that car, which I thought was complete bullshit. |
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Post by katlady on Sept 27, 2021 23:23:48 GMT
I don't think I've ever talked to the other driver's insurance when making a claim. This! I always go through my insurance and let them deal with the other party. I hope everything works out and glad you weren't injured. If his airbags went off, he hit you pretty hard. Did you take your car to get inspected? There could be damage underneath. |
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Post by silverlining on Sept 27, 2021 23:28:40 GMT
I agree with just giving the info to your own insurance company.
But I need to tell you my story of being rear-ended and not seeing any damage. This was back when I drove a mini-van. I was so relieved the kids were fine, and didn't see any damage and didn't even exchange information. (DUMB!) A year later, we went camping, and as we were trying to unload the van, the back door would not stay up. We had to unload with one hand and hold up the back at the same time with the other. Total pain in the a**. I took it to a mechanic, showed him the problem, and he said "How long ago were you rear-ended?" Yep, something on the side of the van was slightly askew, and a year later the back wouldn't stay up. It was going to be super-pricey to fix, and I couldn't claim it on my insurance, so we traded it in on a different car.
So, have someone look carefully at the sides of the car, and the hinges of the trunk or back gate.
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Post by Jennifer C on Sept 27, 2021 23:36:46 GMT
A few years ago I was rear-ended at a red light by a young lady who had a baby with her. She said at the scene that she was trying to hand the baby in the back seat a bottle.
When the police and her boyfriend got there, she stayed quiet. Luckily, my phone stayed in my hand the entire time and after years of watching People's court, I recorded everything.
The next day when I called her insurance she said that I put my car in reverse and hit her.
I waited until the police report and thank goodness the officer believed my story.
I called my insurance, sent them the report, pictures I had taken and the video I recorded of her saying that she was giving the bottle to the baby. Texas is a one party state.
My insurance agent patted me on the back for recording everything.
Now, all of our cars have front and rear cameras. It's not an unusual thing overseas to have camera's and I think some cars are built in with them. Now, I may have months and months of nothing footage, but when you need it you have it.
Jennifer
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Post by houstonsandy on Sept 27, 2021 23:40:03 GMT
I did fill out an online claim with my insurance company (StateFarm) Sunday because that was what I thought I was supposed to do...and let them handle it. When the claims person called me today to get more info he is the one that told me I should file a claim with the other agency (USAA) otherwise I would have to pay a deductible...
I'll just call my agent tomorrow to see what the procedure is.
The agent for USAA was like..."Well...I don't want to call anyone a liar, but your story does seem to make more sense!" and then proceeded to make suggestions on what I should do to try to validate my version. Then she said she would
contact them to see if they wanted to rething their story now that they know the airbags deployed.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,441
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Sept 27, 2021 23:43:07 GMT
Call your insurance company. They will get to the physics of it, and figure it all out.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Sept 27, 2021 23:59:14 GMT
You need to get your car checked. I was rear ended in stopped traffic by an ambulance. I could see he was going to hit me and had my foot mashed on the break. My car took it like a champ and I didn't end up hitting the car in front of me. My bumper was cracked and we took it in. Once they pulled everything apart, they found that my bumper (the metal pieces under all the plastic) was pushed all way into my trunk. It ended up being a bigger job that originally estimated. Luckily for me it was a city ambulance and I just had to send the invoices to the city attorney and they paid for all the repairs.
You don't want to assume your bumper is okay only to have it fail if you get rear ended again.
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Post by Zee on Sept 28, 2021 0:14:24 GMT
I always call my insurance company no matter who is at fault. I don't know who you have but I've been with Progressive for about 19 years and they're wonderful. They deal with it all. If your don't want to do that you'll need an attorney.
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Post by Megan on Sept 28, 2021 0:45:25 GMT
Stop dealing with their insurance company and let yours do it. That's why you pay them a crazy amount of money. 😉
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Post by mom on Sept 28, 2021 1:44:31 GMT
Someone rearended me Saturday night. There was a car in front of me making a right turn (we were in one of those turn only lanes that go off at an angle to the other road..so not right square at the light at the intersection) and I was behind him. There was no oncoming traffic, he was proceeding but for whatever reason he suddenly stopped. My head was turned to look for oncoming traffic, (I was not going very fast...having just come from a complete stop... then turned and saw him stopped. I braked, but tapped him. TAPPED him like a gentle kiss...but the car behind me slammed into me hard enough to make his airbags deploy. The first guy got out...saw that there was no damage from the TAP, waved and left. I was more concerned about what was happening between me and guy behind me. I know I should have gotten the first guys info...but it is what it is.
I exchanged info with the guy behind me and we looked for damage. It was dark but nothing obvious was seen on either car. The next day all I can see is a very small indentation to the bumper, a small cut in the rubber under it, and it is just slightly misaligned on one side. The only other thing is that I have a message on my dash that the airbags and seat belt sensors need to be checked. Anyways...
When I called their insurance company today to deal with setting up a claim, after I gave my statement of the incident the agent said our stories did not match. Her client stated that I hit the car in front of me and then rolled back into his car.... Seems they neglected to mention that their airbags had deployed...
Now I am wondering...exactly how hard and fast would I have had to have been rolling back to cause his airbags to deploy? Not to mention that my foot never left the brake from the time of the tap and the hit from behind. It happened simultaneously. In fact, having my foot on the brake prevented me from being pushed harder into the car in front of me.
The agent did say that my version of the incident seems to make more sense...but that if it comes down to he said/she said the company will side with their client! WTH?
So now I have to go get pictures of the intersection to show that it was not on a "hill" or incline which will help show that I could not possibly have "rolled back" that forceably and the slight damage to the rear and no damage to the front of my car. She did say that when they inspect their client's car they will notice the airbags.
Why are you surprised at this? Their insurance company wants to save themselves as much money as possible. Its in their best interest to side with their client. |
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Post by Skellinton on Sept 28, 2021 1:55:00 GMT
When my mom was in a serious car accident the kid that hit her had about at least 3 different stories. He told the police officer one, his insurance company something else and my mom’s insurance another.
His insurance was not backing down and believed the story he told my mom’s insurance (which was the version that looked worst for my mom) and fought it tooth and nail. My mom’s insurance had an attorney deal with it and it went to mediation. My mom’s car was only about a year old so they really didn’t want to pay. The mediation ruled it 100% the kid’s fault . The kid then tried to take my mom to small claims court! Her attorney through the insurance handled it all and it ended up being dropped.
Do not talk to anyone but your insurance again and let them handle it.
I am sorry you are having to deal with this, I am glad you were not hurt though.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,588
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 28, 2021 1:55:31 GMT
I did fill out an online claim with my insurance company (StateFarm) Sunday because that was what I thought I was supposed to do...and let them handle it. When the claims person called me today to get more info he is the one that told me I should file a claim with the other agency (USAA) otherwise I would have to pay a deductible... I'll just call my agent tomorrow to see what the procedure is. The agent for USAA was like..."Well...I don't want to call anyone a liar, but your story does seem to make more sense!" and then proceeded to make suggestions on what I should do to try to validate my version. Then she said she would contact them to see if they wanted to rething their story now that they know the airbags deployed. When I got into a very minor accident (Nov. 2019) I called State Farm (my insurance) but still had to give a statement to USAA (their insurance.) Twice. They "lost" the first one. The second time the guy had Google maps up and kept asking me very specific questions about the parking lot the accident was in. I even Googled and asked before calling USAA if I had to give them a statement and everyone/thing said no don't do it, it's a trap, except State Farm who told me I had to... We are dealing with the exact same insurance companies, so I thought I'd chime in... |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 23, 2024 21:27:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2021 2:11:52 GMT
We own a body shop.
DH says that typically a vehicle has to be going at least 20mph to deploy airbags. You couldn’t have been rolling backwards that fast, especially not without a hill.
He says your car’s “black box” may have recorded that your brakes were engaged (therefore you weren’t rolling) depending on the make and age of your vehicle. If so, a dealer could retrieve that for you but it’s nothing something routine they check for so you’d have to explain the situation and ask.
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Post by houstonsandy on Sept 28, 2021 2:14:53 GMT
Someone rearended me Saturday night. There was a car in front of me making a right turn (we were in one of those turn only lanes that go off at an angle to the other road..so not right square at the light at the intersection) and I was behind him. There was no oncoming traffic, he was proceeding but for whatever reason he suddenly stopped. My head was turned to look for oncoming traffic, (I was not going very fast...having just come from a complete stop... then turned and saw him stopped. I braked, but tapped him. TAPPED him like a gentle kiss...but the car behind me slammed into me hard enough to make his airbags deploy. The first guy got out...saw that there was no damage from the TAP, waved and left. I was more concerned about what was happening between me and guy behind me. I know I should have gotten the first guys info...but it is what it is.
I exchanged info with the guy behind me and we looked for damage. It was dark but nothing obvious was seen on either car. The next day all I can see is a very small indentation to the bumper, a small cut in the rubber under it, and it is just slightly misaligned on one side. The only other thing is that I have a message on my dash that the airbags and seat belt sensors need to be checked. Anyways...
When I called their insurance company today to deal with setting up a claim, after I gave my statement of the incident the agent said our stories did not match. Her client stated that I hit the car in front of me and then rolled back into his car.... Seems they neglected to mention that their airbags had deployed...
Now I am wondering...exactly how hard and fast would I have had to have been rolling back to cause his airbags to deploy? Not to mention that my foot never left the brake from the time of the tap and the hit from behind. It happened simultaneously. In fact, having my foot on the brake prevented me from being pushed harder into the car in front of me.
The agent did say that my version of the incident seems to make more sense...but that if it comes down to he said/she said the company will side with their client! WTH?
So now I have to go get pictures of the intersection to show that it was not on a "hill" or incline which will help show that I could not possibly have "rolled back" that forceably and the slight damage to the rear and no damage to the front of my car. She did say that when they inspect their client's car they will notice the airbags.
Why are you surprised at this? Their insurance company wants to save themselves as much money as possible. Its in their best interest to side with their client. I'm not surprised that they would side with their client...I said WTH because its such a stupid story... that a Mini Cooper would "roll backwards" into them with enough force to deploy their airbags. |
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Post by kamper on Sept 28, 2021 2:16:07 GMT
You are paying your insurance company to deal with this. I'm not sure why they told you to call the other person's company. The car behind you hit you. They are at fault. The fact that the other car stopped short and you tapped them doesn't matter. You shouldn't have even mention it.
You need to get your car checked out.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 28, 2021 2:46:32 GMT
You don't want to assume your bumper is okay only to have it fail if you get rear ended again.  I had someone bump into the back of my car on the 610 Loop frontage road. Traffic was at a near standstill, so it truly was just a small bump. Insurance had me take my car in to be checked and there was damage I couldn't see. Ended up having to have a new bumper, which her insurance covered. No matter how small the contact, it's always worth having it checked out to be sure. |
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Post by kkrenn on Sept 28, 2021 2:59:09 GMT
Many years ago dh and I were rear ended on the freeway (traffic had come to a standstill but the guy behind us wasn't paying attention) hit us doing at least 30mph. There wasn't a single ounce of visible damage to my Saturn!!! My dh had to go to ER for a back injury and I was shaken to my core but my car looked perfect! Once the insurance did their exam my car was totaled. The frame was bent terribly bad but our bumper took the hit and popped back out as if nothing had happened.
Just another vote to get your car thoroughly inspected! I'm glad you are ok!
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,903
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Post by tracylynn on Sept 28, 2021 5:16:05 GMT
Stop talking to their insurance and engage yours. Pay the deductible. If they are found at fault you'll get it back.
And also, get the car checked. There's likely more damage then you think. I was in a minor fender bender in a parking lot (both cars backing out at same time) and the damage looked a lot like you described.
But once they tore into it, some braces were bent that you couldn't see and needed replaced for safety purposes. You just don't know until they dig in.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,773
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Sept 28, 2021 5:32:40 GMT
FWIW, IME the car at the back is always at fault in a rear ender. That is true, but sometimes, that sucks. A few years ago, my daughter was sitting at a stoplight. Completely stopped. Someone rear ended her. Their airbag went off. My daughter had whiplash. Her car was totaled. The force pushed her into the car in front of her at the stoplight, and our insurance had to pay for the damage to that car, which I thought was complete bullshit. This same thing happened to my mom. She was the middle car and was hit so hard, that small paint chips landed on her car from the car that hit her from behind. Her insurance company had to pay for the guy she hit in front of her. |
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Post by katiejane on Sept 28, 2021 6:36:18 GMT
Don't deal with his insurance company, let your insurance deal with it. I would recommend getting your car checked, when I was eear ended my insurance paid for the check. Although my car only showed damage of the rear bumper, when checking further my crash bar was damaged and needed to be repaired.
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Post by julieinsweden on Sept 28, 2021 6:53:42 GMT
Depending on car make the airbag will deploy between 12 and 18km/h.
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,022
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Sept 28, 2021 10:09:14 GMT
Call your insurance company! I had a woman hit me and she lied to her insurance company. I had pics of my tire marks where I pulled as far as I could off the road to avoid being hit. They ended up saying we were both at fault. I was pissed but my car got fixed and my rates didn’t go up. People do lie to benefit themselves!
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Sept 28, 2021 10:42:38 GMT
Never ever, never ever ever, make a statement to the opposing insurance company.
1. They will use anything you say against you, it’s their job to protect their shareholders (not you or the guy who they insure).
2. They will lie, frustrate you and immediately—no matter what—deny your claim or attempt to force you to admit your part in the accident so that they don’t pay.
3. ALWAYS file a police report.
4. Call YOUR insurance and let them do their job—you pay them.
I was rear ended with the guy going 65 mph—so fast that the force of impact when he hit me sheared the bolts off his pick up truck bed and sent it sailing to the opposite side of 4 lanes of expressway…he slammed into me, sending me into the car in front of me, guy behind guy who hit me slammed into him, causing him to hit me again…
And his insurance company tried to tell me it was my fault that their client hit me not once but twice because they called me the day after the accident, and I talked to them making a statement. They used my own words against me, saying I was at fault for an accident I didn’t cause!
It took 2 years, a lawyer, and up until the day before court to get them to pay for the accident (I hadn’t even asked for pain/suffering). I was left with a lifetime of aches and a totaled car that I had to continue paying for. The hospital bills all fell on me.
I hate insurance companies, they’re liars, they do the absolute bare minimum for you if you’re in an accident.
They only care about their CEO’s and shareholders.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,990
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Post by peppermintpatty on Sept 28, 2021 11:38:35 GMT
You should only give your statement to your insurance company. When they want your statement, they can contact them. Never talk to the other insurance company.
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I had someone bump into the back of my car on the 610 Loop frontage road. Traffic was at a near standstill, so it truly was just a small bump. Insurance had me take my car in to be checked and there was damage I couldn't see. Ended up having to have a new bumper, which her insurance covered. No matter how small the contact, it's always worth having it checked out to be sure. 
