Joined May 2006
L5: Journeyman
Forum Thread
First car accident... need advice
April 30, 2012 at
02:25 PM
This Saturday I was in an accident that destroyed my Scion XD. I LOVED that car. Was getting about 35MPG in the city and I gad done a BUNCH of upgrades to it. Only 24K miles on it.
Here's what happened:
I was driving through a main road on my way home from work when I 17 year old kid decided to turn right in front of me in a Caravan. It wasn't at an intersection, he was trying to turn into a business from his yellow lane and I guess he didn't see me coming, so I slammed into him a 40MPH. He got cited, I didn't and it obviously was his fault since he should have waited for me to come through. Oh well, there goes my car.......
Few questions:
Now that I submitted the claim through his insurance, they told I need to simply wait since the other driver has not given a statement yet. No rental car. Is this normal? They mentioned that the other person needs to admit liability first.
Also, by what guidelines can I expect my compensation to be for my car? I know insurances have their own 'sources', but I don't want to be screwed. My car was at [I]least[I] worth 14K and it's paid off. Also, I should be compensated for my 2 days off work and medical bills, right?
I never been in a car accident.... so I don't know what my next steps would be.
TIA
Here's what happened:
I was driving through a main road on my way home from work when I 17 year old kid decided to turn right in front of me in a Caravan. It wasn't at an intersection, he was trying to turn into a business from his yellow lane and I guess he didn't see me coming, so I slammed into him a 40MPH. He got cited, I didn't and it obviously was his fault since he should have waited for me to come through. Oh well, there goes my car.......
Few questions:
Now that I submitted the claim through his insurance, they told I need to simply wait since the other driver has not given a statement yet. No rental car. Is this normal? They mentioned that the other person needs to admit liability first.
Also, by what guidelines can I expect my compensation to be for my car? I know insurances have their own 'sources', but I don't want to be screwed. My car was at [I]least[I] worth 14K and it's paid off. Also, I should be compensated for my 2 days off work and medical bills, right?
I never been in a car accident.... so I don't know what my next steps would be.
TIA
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The car value will be "Fair Market Value,' so about close to Blue Book. Right now wait for your insurance company, and keep following up with them. You shouldn't need to deal with the other parties insurance company, should need to be dealing with yours and let them deal with the other party.
The car value will be "Fair Market Value,' so about close to Blue Book. Right now wait for your insurance company, and keep following up with them. You shouldn't need to deal with the other parties insurance company, should need to be dealing with yours and let them deal with the other party.
Two weeks sounds excessive. It may vary in different parts of the country, but police reports for car accidents are usually ready in my area within a few days, even in the tougher towns.
You only pay the deductible if the accident was your fault, and you're filing a claim through your collision insurance (the insurance to pay for accidents that are your fault). If the other driver is liable, then you shouldn't be paying anything. His insurance company should be paying you the damages from his liability insurance.
You get fair market value, that is find one on a lot that is like yours, then you get to add whatever you put on it & then you get dmv fees & taxes. Of course they won't mention this to you but I know how it's done ;-)
Also, I know it depends, but usually how long has the process taken for some of you. Weeks, months?
I really need to get another car...
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Since you're not at fault, you do have to deal with the other person's insurance (but State Farm can/should do that for you). That's just how it works. Sorry this happened to you.
Here's what happened:
I was driving through a main road on my way home from work when I 17 year old kid decided to turn right in front of me in a Caravan. It wasn't at an intersection, he was trying to turn into a business from his yellow lane and I guess he didn't see me coming, so I slammed into him a 40MPH. He got cited, I didn't and it obviously was his fault since he should have waited for me to come through. Oh well, there goes my car.......
Few questions:
Now that I submitted the claim through his insurance, they told I need to simply wait since the other driver has not given a statement yet. No rental car. Is this normal? They mentioned that the other person needs to admit liability first.
Also, by what guidelines can I expect my compensation to be for my car? I know insurances have their own 'sources', but I don't want to be screwed. My car was at [I]least[I] worth 14K and it's paid off. Also, I should be compensated for my 2 days off work and medical bills, right?
I never been in a car accident.... so I don't know what my next steps would be.
TIA
Just wait for his statement. Why pay $500 when you don't have to pay anything if you wait. And yes, they have to pay time missed at work (if it's due to injuries) and medical bills if he's at fault.
First of all, you need a police report for all that you say that happened.
Second, contact your insurance folks and explain them if they can follow up abt this claim.