I was recently involved in an accident. We were hit from behind by a grand am and then pushed into the vehicle in frot of us. The police report explicitly states this as well as the other 4 people and myself. However, the two young(16-20y/o) kids that were in front of us, say we hit them first. The insurance company of the grand am believes the two young people and pretty much over looks the police report and says that they will pay for 65% of car and medical damages.
We dont want to take this to court for fear of a lawyer putting us back more than we would be if we just took a loss and settled directly.
Anyone with some legal experience/ some similiar experience care to offer some advice?
2007-10-22 14:26:58 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
The police report is not always a good source of information. Here is the deal... there is really no reason for the party in front to lie about what happen, they are not going to be at fault in the accident. Also, it's actually more difficult for their carrier (or them) to collect a percentage from two people that add up to 100% as opposed to just one person. About the only reason I can see them lying is if they learned that the person's insurance behind you was not sufficient to address their entire loss. I doubt this is the case.
Your insurance company should be obtaining a statement from all those people in that front vehicle. The key to this statement is how many impacts they felt, as it's doubtfull that they were paying attention to the vehicles behind them prior to the accident. If they felt one impact it most likely means you were pushed into them. if they felt two, it most likely means you hit them first and were then pushed into them from the rear collision.
Advise.. you will need to let your insurance handle the investigation and settlement.
2007-10-22 15:26:36 · answer #1 · answered by Todd C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be very careful The person that hit you from behind can always change there story. Also the people in front doesn't know what happen. Remember to keep your words and just say you were at a complete stop and they the person behind you hit you and your car went forward. The best way is to get a lawyer that deals with accident. The reason is the person that you hit can always take your money and then go claim your insurance again and get a lawyer and claim for back injuries and etc...
They may not do it now but once they hear it from friends and family they will change stories. It has happened to me once. So this best way is to get a lawyer to fix everything for you. Plus you will have less things to worry about. You will be saving more money too by just handling it up front and police report doesnt mean anything. The people can change there story. Everything is up to the insurance company.
2007-10-22 21:41:30 · answer #2 · answered by LC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did file a claim with your own insurance co. right? Ok, if so, contact them and tell them you want them to take over. It's called subrogation rights and let your insurance co. go after the other for their money back after they have paid your claim. A lot of this wishy washy stuff goes on with the sub standard companies. If your co. has a good rating and is a standard co. then you pass the problem to them. These two young people must have talked with someone(maybe a lawyer) about saying you hit them first. Things get real selfish, greedy and out of control. I hope your insurance is a good one because they will rely on the police report and your claim will get settled. You don't have to do anything.
2007-10-22 21:41:38 · answer #3 · answered by Irish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just allow your insurance company to talk to the first car's insurance company. They will settle things for you.
2007-10-22 21:38:07 · answer #4 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋