by Guest » Sun Jan 03, 2010 09:15 pm
I was in a car accident a few days ago. I was standing still for several seconds at a red traffic light on a turning left lane when I was hit from behind pretty harshly. I also hit the car in front of me but he had no damages. The driver in front of me stepped out of the car looked at his bumper, said it was fine and left (I wrote down his license plate though).
The driver behind me came out of the car, acknowledged he was at fault, said he was really sorry, gave me his insurance info and said he would pay for the damages, however, he asked me not to call the police and I didn't.
I'm insured and called my insurance company right away. My car was totaled and I already got the settlement. However, the other driver is lying to the insurance companies saying I changed lanes unexpectedly and that he was not at fault!
My insurance contacted the driver in the car in front of me and he said he was not involved in any car accident and is not a witness.
So now I'm having trouble in getting my deductible back and taking the risk of having my premium increased! I really can't believe that!!!!! By the way my car was hit I don't think that there is any chance that I could be changing lanes at all!!! Not to mention that it was pretty hard and it is obvious that the other driver was driving in high speed, not slowing down to stop at the traffic light at all!!!
What can I do??? Can I take him to small claims court even if the claim is still not closed (my insurance is trying to get the deductible back and it might take around 3 months or more)?
What bothers me is not even the money, it's the hassle. This person destroyed my car (which was only 1 year old), gave bruises and neck/back pains for over one week, messed up with my holiday plans, made me pay my $1,000 deductible... and is lying... He really deserves some headache, so next time he will think twice before lying and screwing up someone else...
What can I do?
The driver behind me came out of the car, acknowledged he was at fault, said he was really sorry, gave me his insurance info and said he would pay for the damages, however, he asked me not to call the police and I didn't.
I'm insured and called my insurance company right away. My car was totaled and I already got the settlement. However, the other driver is lying to the insurance companies saying I changed lanes unexpectedly and that he was not at fault!
My insurance contacted the driver in the car in front of me and he said he was not involved in any car accident and is not a witness.
So now I'm having trouble in getting my deductible back and taking the risk of having my premium increased! I really can't believe that!!!!! By the way my car was hit I don't think that there is any chance that I could be changing lanes at all!!! Not to mention that it was pretty hard and it is obvious that the other driver was driving in high speed, not slowing down to stop at the traffic light at all!!!
What can I do??? Can I take him to small claims court even if the claim is still not closed (my insurance is trying to get the deductible back and it might take around 3 months or more)?
What bothers me is not even the money, it's the hassle. This person destroyed my car (which was only 1 year old), gave bruises and neck/back pains for over one week, messed up with my holiday plans, made me pay my $1,000 deductible... and is lying... He really deserves some headache, so next time he will think twice before lying and screwing up someone else...
What can I do?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 09:26 pm Post Subject:
I would go ahead and file a police report, even after the fact. Trust me, it may help you. In the future, always call the police, no matter what. It usually combats the at-fault party from changing thier story. There is not much you can do, but that. You can take him to court, but you need to weigh what is at stake for you. The guy that was in front of you, won't talk or what?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 09:36 pm Post Subject:
Thanks Trench.
Yeah, I'm kicking myself for not calling the police right away. The guy seemed honest and willing to cooperate at the time of the accident so I trusted his good faith and just wanted to avoid even more hassle in calling the police, waiting, and filing a report, etc. I though our insurance companies would work this out with our statements. Didn't think he would lie. Wrong.
I hope I'm never in such a situation again, but if I do, I will definitely file a report right away.
The guy in front of me was a foreigner, barely spoke English, was in an very old car, with a license plate from another state... I'm not surprised he doesn't care to get involved...
Thanks again!
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:21 pm Post Subject: insurance
I'm not saying that SOME people aren't honest. But, if you ever get into an accident again, call the Police. THAT way, when they arrive, (in most cases, i think) the vehicles are in the same place when the accident occured.
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:21 pm Post Subject:
Yes, I did learn the lesson... But now it's done...
I might be a really nice person then :) ... If I hit someone over the holidays I would be feeling really guilty and would do anything I could to make it the least inconvenient as possible to the other party... including telling the truth to my insurance company...
This guy is really acting in very bad faith... He also filed a claim on his end to fix his car and paid his deductible anyways. He is lying only to avoid his premium to increase by making ME pay my deductible!!! It's really nasty.
Do you think it's a good idea to file a small claim suit against the driver claiming my deductible? Can I even do that already? Or should I wait until the insurance company closes my claim?
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 09:36 pm Post Subject: what can i do
i was invole in a car accident ,the police was call. the other driver of the other car lie about what happen; the police officer didn't want to see the pictures my dauter took before we move our cars; the police wrote the police report in favor of the other drive who was at fault; he lie to the police and his insurance company; his insurance company denie my claim; what can i do.
Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 09:36 pm Post Subject: what can i do
i was invole in a car accident ,the police was call. the other driver of the other car lie about what happen; the police officer didn't want to see the pictures my dauter took before we move our cars; the police wrote the police report in favor of the other drive who was at fault; he lie to the police and his insurance company; his insurance company denie my claim; what can i do.
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 03:52 am Post Subject:
what can i do
First, see my sig.
You could speak to that officers supervisor and file a complaint. See if they will amend the police report. File with your own carrier if your have collision coverage. File suit against the other party if you feel you can prove your case.
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 08:00 am Post Subject: Call the cops
Was making my way down the center lane of a 6 lane highway. Out of no where was hit by a kid making a sudden lane change in his blind spot that he ignored. Pulling over he was all freaked out calling his father we gave each other insurance infor and DL info. When he was on the phone I asked if he was contacting the state patrol and was told no his father and no answer. He then said he needed to go and let the insurance co's fight it out. I said we need to call the cops and was told he was late for an appointment and god bless etc... After he left I called state patrol and was told to file a report on line then called my insurance to give a fyi. Was just told a week later he reported that I hit him... Since it was my own report it cant be used. Call the cops. Dont trust anyone.
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 08:00 am Post Subject: Call the cops
Was making my way down the center lane of a 6 lane highway. Out of no where was hit by a kid making a sudden lane change in his blind spot that he ignored. Pulling over he was all freaked out calling his father we gave each other insurance infor and DL info. When he was on the phone I asked if he was contacting the state patrol and was told no his father and no answer. He then said he needed to go and let the insurance co's fight it out. I said we need to call the cops and was told he was late for an appointment and god bless etc... After he left I called state patrol and was told to file a report on line then called my insurance to give a fyi. Was just told a week later he reported that I hit him... Since it was my own report it cant be used. Call the cops. Dont trust anyone.
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 08:00 am Post Subject: Call the cops
Was making my way down the center lane of a 6 lane highway. Out of no where was hit by a kid making a sudden lane change in his blind spot that he ignored. Pulling over he was all freaked out calling his father we gave each other insurance infor and DL info. When he was on the phone I asked if he was contacting the state patrol and was told no his father and no answer. He then said he needed to go and let the insurance co's fight it out. I said we need to call the cops and was told he was late for an appointment and god bless etc... After he left I called state patrol and was told to file a report on line then called my insurance to give a fyi. Was just told a week later he reported that I hit him... Since it was my own report it cant be used. Call the cops. Dont trust anyone.
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