I made a right turn at an intersection, about 20 feet infront of me was a car, the Light turned green, she moved up I followed. She stopped hard on the crosswalk. ( said she didnt haveroom to get across the intersection.)I stopped but my wheel locked up and I hydropaned into her bumber About the 20 feet) . Wasnt going very fast at all. No damage to her, it was a tap. She claimed a back, neck and head pain. She refused a ambulance. I called them anyway, she told them she was ok. Police took report, Said I was the less favorable in the accident since I hit her. Police left, ambulance left and she begin complaining again. Then she commented that she had prior lower back injury, so i asked her to write down what she mentioned about prior injury, she did and I had her sign it. So i have a statement from her that she is hurting but that she had a prior injury. i have full coverage insurance. How deep in the **** hole am I. ? How likely this will be a nightmare financially?
2007-11-07 15:21:28 · 8 answers · asked by alternator 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Contact your insurance company and tell them everything that happened.
The worst case is that she will claim that you injured her back and try to get your insurance to pay, possibly with a lawsuit. Your insurance company does not want to pay her if it isn't your fault, so they will give you a lawyer who will take care of everything. Even though the crash was "your fault" in the police report, I really doubt that she will win a lawsuit, since you were only going 5 mph and she had a preexisting back condition.
Your insurance likely will go up, if they determine that you are at fault, but it shouldn't be a significantly large change.
And you don't need to hire a lawyer unless she does sue and your insurance company will not represent you (shouldn't happen if you are with a decent insurer).
2007-11-07 16:05:38 · answer #1 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that am nor do I work for one...But always get an Attorney. First off from what I read. Failure to stop at assured clear distance....This is what it would be in Michigan. She could have stopped in the middle of the road on a bright sunny day and if you were following and hit her from the rear you would still be at fault. As for the rain/hydroplaning possible defense if written driving too fast for conditions. How could you be aware of those conditions? There are way too many variables that fall into play on this. Good effort for an ambulance, good effort on a statement. Did you get witness info? A copy of the official Crash report? Any tickets or no crash report? My two words of advice. #! Contact an attorney #2 contact your insurance both home and auto.
2007-11-07 15:44:38 · answer #2 · answered by Micheal R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it, its not that bad. First of all if there was no damage to her car then your insurance company will deny her injury claim period. Insurance companies nowadays when there is no damage to a persons car they always deny any injury claim if any. As for her pre-existing injury like someone else said, this kind of accident would have not aggravated it and I assure you that your insurance will say the same. As for your insurance premium, it might go up slightly since you did have an accident and it was your fault. But it should not be that much.
2007-11-07 15:39:10 · answer #3 · answered by Maria 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it up to your insurance company - that's what they are there for.
In my opinion, a rear-end accident at that speed could not cause or even aggravate a lower-back injury. You could probably get slight whiplash, if your head was turned and off the headrest, but even that is pushing it. I'm sure she was looking straight ahead anyway, if she was making a judgement about crossing the intersection.
You can't do anything about it, so try not to worry about it. I think it will be fine.
Call your insurance company if you are worried - they should be able to reassure you.
2007-11-07 15:28:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have insurance - so you are better off than many. Call your insurance company, they can tell you how it will affect future rates, etc.
You probably don't need an attorney at this time - because your insurance company will presumably cover the personal injury and property damage. However, if it will make you feel better, many attorney's offer a free consult.
2007-11-07 15:27:27 · answer #5 · answered by Gatekeeper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you report it to your insurance company that is what they are for. they deal with this all the time. you do not have any concerns at this time. if you don't have enough insurance then she could sue but with what you have said that is highly unlikely. if it gets to that point then contact an attorney, your insurance company may very well represent you. this should not become even a bad dream, unless you have left out or misrepresented the facts.
2007-11-07 15:36:04 · answer #6 · answered by michr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a police report, that is definately something you should have done.
Now, did you notify your ins co.??????
That is something you must do ASAP.
Then, do what your ins co tells you to do.
Let them do the worrying. I really don't think you have much to worry about.If you are contacted buy the other person or their ins, tell them to contact your ins carrier.
All you need tell them is who your agent is and the company. Say no more.
2007-11-07 17:11:31 · answer #7 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hire a lawyer immediately to represent you. You'll need one.
2007-11-07 15:25:39 · answer #8 · answered by Ivy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋