Car Insurance Help Please

[whtyger97]

I was in a car accident yesterday. A car hit the front passenger side of my car while he was going the wrong way on a one way road. My husband and I banged heads but otherwise we are ok.

His insurance called today and want to meet us tomorrow, we think to settle the claim or start talking about what we would want. I dont know what we should ask for. Here are the details.

Its a 1998 Contour 4 cylindar - this car was my aunts first and she was the orginial owner so we know the entire history of the car. We also found car repair bills totaling 1500 from right about 2 years ago till now. (suspension, brakes, tires, etc)

Both my husband and I missed yesterday at work, to go visit the doctor and get checked out. The doctor gave me muscle relaxors and suggested I might want physical theropy for my neck.

We've been with out a car because my husbands car needed repairs, its in the shop now, with a $1200 repair bill. (I realize the accident isn't going to pay to repair the other car, I'm just explaining the situation)

We have not asked for a rental car.

Assuming as we are that the car is totaled, what amount would you ask to settle for everything (including the medical).

Thanks in advance for all the advice.

 

[ChristmasElf]

First off, call YOUR insurance company and tell them what happened and ask what they think you would be entitled to.

I would also DEFINATELY ask for a rental. Why should you be without transportation because some fool doesnt know how to drive????

Get all your receipts in order and make sure to include the Dr bills as well.
DONT sign ANYTHING until you get a lawyer or someone experienced in insurance claims to look it over.

I hope you took pictures. They always help.

 

[whtyger97]

I will call my insurance company again tomorrow. They were going out at 6pm to look at the car and see if they think it was totaled or not.

 

[golfgal]

I agree, don't sign anything, don't agree to anything until the car has been inspected. They should most definitely give you a rental car at no charge to you. They should also pay all of your medical bills, lost wages, etc. which is why you don't want to sign anything until you know you are done seeing the doctor. Hopefully he is with a reputable insurance company and will handle things right. I also think you should call your agent and ask them for advice. They can also mediate for you if you would like--deal with the other company for you. You will need to tell your side of the story for the accident and hopefully you got a police report but that is really all the contact you need with the the other insurance company for now.

 

[DMickey28]

I work for insurance claims.

What state are you in?
What company do you have?
Who is the other company?

Do not settle with them at this point. PERIOD. Let them do an estimate on your car. IF they deem it's a total loss then let them give you a value for the car.

Let them know you are injuried. Let them know you went to the doctor yesterday. Let them know you are going for a follow up if things don't get better. Do not agree to anything. Do not write anything. Do not say that you are ok. Tell them everything that hurts .. your head, your neck, your shoulder etc.. whatever it is.

Contact your insurance company ASAP. It's your duty as a policyholder but also they are their to protect you, even if you don't file through them.

If you have additional questions feel free to ask or PM me. I have handled both BI and PD claims in auto insurance.

 

[whtyger97]

PMed DMickey 28, Thanks for the advice.

 

[DawnCt1]

The insurance company will give you the actual value of the car based on year and miles plus sales tax if the car is totaled. With regard to medical; I wouldn't settle a thing with regard to that. I have been rear ended twice; once while parked at the drive up window to the bank. You never know how a cervical injury will evolve. Both of my injuries took months to heal. I ended up with cervical strain that required physical therapy. If you settle too soon, the insurance company is not responsible for any medical bills that you may incur after settlement.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Do not sign anything. Do not do a taped interview. Tell them to send you the paperwork. Take you car to your choice of body shop for evaluation. Do not give the adjuster any information at all-if he calls you on the phone and says "how are you" do not say ok. He is likely writing that down and might use it against you.

Soft tissue injuries can take 4-6 weeks to show up.

I was in an accident on 1/10 and was sore but stiff for the first few weeks. Then one day I woke up and could barely walk. It took some time for the injuries to settle in.

We went to a body shop on the insurance's preferred list, and they are refusing to fix all the damage b/c the adjuster says it is now acceptable. Our agent lied to us and told us that if we went with our choice of body shop, that we would have to file a claim on our policy for property damage and try to recover the deductible in the settlement. Apparently not true, says my attorney.

Go talk to an attorney-just in case. The adjuster is trying to settle for as little as possible and doesn't care about you-your car or your health.

Good luck! Not a fun place to be in.