Car accident - has this happened to anyone? What do I do?

Question

I was in a car accident last week - I have a brand new car and I want it fixed.

It was a chain reaction - three cars - mine being the last.

I found out today that the striking vehicle - that hit the black car - that hit my car does not have insurance!!!!

What do I do now?

I am hurt too!!! I had to go to a chiropractor due to my lower back pain!!!

Answer 1

If you have collision your insurance co will pay to fix it and go after the car that hit you. The car that hit you will pay for your bills. The car that got hit by the car who had no insurance will have to sue the driver of that car.

Answer 2

Call your insurance company and report the claim to them. This would be handed under you uninsured motorist coverage. Most states require that drivers purchase a minimum amount of uninsured motorist coverage. (Under-insured motorist coverage is the one that is not required).

Your insurance company will need to do an investigation - that includes getting a statement from you about what happened. The adjuster will also contact the at fault driver's company to have them send written confirmation that he did not have insurance. Once your company confirms that the accident was not your fault and the other person has no insurance they will be able to handle your uninsured motorist claim. Your company will then be able to step in and pay for the stuff that the at fault driver's company would have paid for (if he had insurance).

Once your company settles up with you - they will go back after the at fault driver for re-payment. The process is called Abrogation.

Your company insurance adjuster will be able to tell you more about the process and your uninsured motorist coverage (deductibles, policy limits etc.) and the laws of your state.

** not to be taken as legal advice - only an attorney can give legal advice.**

Answer 3

You get a copy of the police report, and you turn in your claim to the insurance company. They will advise you of your next steps. Hopefully you have coverage for uninsured/under insured motorist on your policy that will pick up and pay the costs of repairs, less any deductible. Then your insurance will sue the at fault person to recover their money, and yours. Once they collect, if they collect, you will get the deductible refunded.

In the event the damages are more than the worth of the car, they will only give you fair market value, which probably will not cover what you owe.

Answer 4

Get the Police report and then call your insurance carrier and check your coverage for an un-insured motorist. Also with a new car at least in Pa. you must get complete insurance coverage and it will take care of your car and all you medical expenses. Keep good records of what you spend on medical etc. Pa. requires Full coverage on new cars that are financed and mine was only 2 hours old at that time. They will they sue that person that doesn't have insurance. I am very familiar with this kind of accident because I had a similiar one where my car was third in an 8 car pile-up.

Answer 5

Im sorry but I hope you are feeling better now.

If you have a brand new car, then you have collision in your policy. You could go to your insurance company and asked them to take care of the damage. And tell them that the party at fault does not have insurance so they could check if UMPD can apply.

For your injuries, if you live in a PIP state (ie FL,MI, WA etc) then you should have that in your policy as that is required by law. If not, see if you have Med Pay and also tell them if you could use your UMBI.

I hope you get well soon.

Answer 6

The very first thing I'd do is check your current auto insurance policy and check to see if you have "uninsured or underinsured motorist" coverage. If you do, you should be okay - your own insurance company will cover the cost of the repair. If not, then you may have to take the other driver to court to get the money (but if he's driving without insurance, how much money can you expect to get out of that person?)... Hope you are able to get it fixed!!!

Answer 7

You have no choice but to file a claim through your own insurer. If you have uninsured motorist coverage your med bills can be paid (up to your limits) through that. Your collision coverage will cover the loss on your car itself, less your deductible. The person that caused the accident is probably a deadbeat with no assets but your insurer will attempt to recover all expenses including your deductible which they will return if successful.

Answer 8

consult a lawyer who specialized in automobile injuries. I was second from front once of a 5 car accident that was stopped at a traffic light.

Contact your insurance agent. Check to see if you have uninsured/underinsured on your policy. Your car should be fixed by your insurance company, then their lawyers will go after Bozo...

Answer 9

If you have full coverage on your car then you insurance will pay and will sue the uninsured driver for recovery. If you don't have then you will have to take a different route. Say like small claims court. On good thing is that the state will require the uninsured to compensate you before they will reinstate his drivers licence back to him. Unfrotunately this is a very timely process. Good luck to you on this and hope it goes well for you.

Answer 10

That sounds like me a few years ago. I had almost $6000 in damage and my insurance had to pay because he did not have any! I had American Family and they were pretty good about paying the claim. But these people with out insurance need to have consequence to not having insurance!! Some people have forgot that driving is in fact not a right, but a privalige! Good luck Penny :)