by johnhopkins » Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:36 pm
I was involved in an accident back in 08/2008. I was at a red light waiting to make a right turn behind this lady in her car. (We were the 1st two cars at the light).
She pulled up to go so I assumed that she had made the turn (no cars were coming at the time).
I waited while looking to my left (away from the lady's car). Since I saw no cars coming, I accelerated to make the turn.
No sooner than a second after I hear this sound. I had hit the lady from behind at and angle.
The whole time I thought she had made the turn and left - she was actually just waiting further up.
(The turn is to a two lane road that merges into a single lane).
I ended up hitting her at an angle. I hit my front right to her rear left.
She came out examined her car then we exchanged info and she left. I asked her it she was OK and she said she was fine.
My insurance called me and I explained everything. My car had a little dent but it wasn't anything major. So I didn't file a claim.
Today I receive a letter saying that they're investigating a bodily injury claim regarding this accident.
The letter states that I might be personally liable if the claim exceeds my bodily injury coverage (25/50)
I'm just shocked because I didn't hear anything back since that call from my insurance back in August.
Should I be worried?
I'm hoping that my insurance will just take care this. I'm baffled as to her injury.
She pulled up to go so I assumed that she had made the turn (no cars were coming at the time).
I waited while looking to my left (away from the lady's car). Since I saw no cars coming, I accelerated to make the turn.
No sooner than a second after I hear this sound. I had hit the lady from behind at and angle.
The whole time I thought she had made the turn and left - she was actually just waiting further up.
(The turn is to a two lane road that merges into a single lane).
I ended up hitting her at an angle. I hit my front right to her rear left.
She came out examined her car then we exchanged info and she left. I asked her it she was OK and she said she was fine.
My insurance called me and I explained everything. My car had a little dent but it wasn't anything major. So I didn't file a claim.
Today I receive a letter saying that they're investigating a bodily injury claim regarding this accident.
The letter states that I might be personally liable if the claim exceeds my bodily injury coverage (25/50)
I'm just shocked because I didn't hear anything back since that call from my insurance back in August.
Should I be worried?
I'm hoping that my insurance will just take care this. I'm baffled as to her injury.
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 01:03 am Post Subject:
Typically adjuster won't call the insured to let them know the status of a claim... if they did it would take up most of their time and most insured's would want to argue that the person was not hurt, their damages were not that extensive, etc. As an adjuster, I figure if you want to know the status, _you_ will call.
The letter is typical and many carriers will send them out automatically in order to prevent a Bad Faith claim from their insured. Your insurance company will provide you a defense and can issue a payment up to your policy limits to settle the matter. 99.9999% of the time this will settle the claim. I'd recommend calling your adjuster and asking them if there is any indication that the claim won't settle within your policy limits.
An injury claim from a minor impact is typical in today's society.
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 06:27 am Post Subject:
Ok thank you so much for that. Reading the letter I had a feeling that was the case, but I just got a bit scared.
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 06:33 am Post Subject:
Today I receive a letter saying that they're investigating a bodily injury claim regarding this accident.
The letter states that I might be personally liable if the claim exceeds my bodily injury coverage (25/50)
Who has sent this letter? Which state are you from?
Its not unusual for some injuries to surface sometimes after the accident. It might be the case with the lady too. Now, if its only minor injuries, as tcope has mentioned, its likely to get settled well within the policy limit.
~Jeremy
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 06:59 am Post Subject:
I'm in VA and the letter came from my insurance
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:13 am Post Subject: insurance
I had hit the lady from behind at and angle.
By hitting the woman from behind, wouldn't accident AUTOMATICALLY be the fault of the 1st driver? In my state ( PA), it doesn't matter WHAT the circumstances are. If you rearend someone, the accident is automatically your fault.Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 01:27 pm Post Subject:
Hi,
The scenario is not uncommon in today's world. Quite often the victim would state that everything's fine, while in reality the bodily sufferings would crop up later.
If you rear end someone, the accident is automatically your fault.
Though by saying that we wouldn't risk exempting a con artist even on one occasion..what do you say! :)
Mermaid-attitude
Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 01:45 pm Post Subject: insurance
I do have to say...yes.. their ARE con-artists out there., MERMAID. However.......I was just pointing out the laws in my state..PA. Yeah.......I've heard of people, that were in car accidents, saying they were "just fine." All of a sudden, MONTHS after the accident, they are having troubles. I would think if you ARE injured from a car accident, you would know within days, NOT months. When I was in MY accident, it wasn't REALLY until the next day that I was 'feeling it.'
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