If I had an accident that didnt involve contact with any other vehicle
but another vehicle went into a ditch on the other side of the interstate for some reason near me, am I liable to pay for their damages? Their insurance company has been bugging me for over a year but I have not heard anything from a lawyer or court officials. I have asked for a police report and then they stopped contacting me for like 6 months. This is a very serious financial issue so any guidance would be very much appreciated. Help!
2006-10-30 12:30:01 · 9 answers · asked by dirkdigg97 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Is there any way anyone could perceive you to be a cause of the accident? If you are responsible for the accident, you may have to pay. I hope you have insurance on your vehicle. You need to get your insurance involved in this, not try and handle it yourself.
They may just be trying to gouge you, and your insurance company and their clout can force the other people to back off if there is no real case.
2006-10-30 12:33:39 · answer #1 · answered by finaldx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I don't understand how you can say that you "had an accident" unless your actions caused this person to veer off the road into the ditch. ???
If your actions did not cause this person to veer off into the ditch, then no fault can be assigned to you.
If, for some reason, your actions can be linked - in any way - to the person veering off into the ditch than fault can be assigned to you.
In my opinion, you made a smart decision by asking the other insurance company for a police report. If there was not one filed then they really have no reason to be harassing you. Unless, of coarse, they can drum up a witness that claims you caused this person to go into the ditch.
The likelihood that you have anything to worry about now is low. The only thing that's really left for you to be concerned with is if the other insurance company attempts to take legal action against you which can include: putting a lean against your assists, detaching your wages, or taking you to court. Otherwise harassing phone calls and nasty letters do not make a bit of difference. They may just be trying to scare you into paying for something that you are not obligated to pay.
Good luck.
2006-10-30 22:58:09 · answer #2 · answered by steinmancloud9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if there is evidence that supports you causing the person to have to take evasive action and go into the ditch, then you are the sole proximate cause of the accident and are liable. Just because you haven't head anything from them recently doesn't mean they aren't out there. Report it to your insurance if you have it.
2006-10-30 20:59:21 · answer #3 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does not sound as though they have a legitimate claim against you but that would not necessarily. stop them or their insurance company from filing suit.
If your accident did not DIRECTLY cause their accident by either your vehicle or debris from your collision contacting their vehicle or crossing into their lane thereby forcing them into a collision, you should prevail. The possibility that you MAY come into their lane is not enough cause to place you liable.
I would keep a good atorney close at hand just in case.
2006-10-30 20:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by ©2009 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be held liable for a 'no contact' accident IF you are the sole cause of the loss. For heavens sake let your insurance company handle this mess!
2006-10-30 22:39:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact your insurance company; they're the ones who should be handling this.
Contact the police yourself for the report.
2006-10-30 20:38:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they find you at fault of the accident, you will have to pay. Even if you did not have contact with them, you can still be at fault. I would keep asking to see the police report and have them prove that you are at fault.
2006-10-31 16:34:24 · answer #7 · answered by dr's mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not responsible for anything once another car has left their lane. there must be more to this. I don't understand why anyone would accuse you when you were on opposite sides of the freeway. Just tell them to leave you the h--ll alone. They have nothing.
2006-10-30 20:38:45 · answer #8 · answered by La-z Ike 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe you should countersue their insurance company, for them causing you to have the accident, and also for harassment.
2006-10-30 20:38:45 · answer #9 · answered by tomhale138 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋