First Car Accident - What To Do?

[hockey.modern]

So over the weekend, I got into my first car accident in which I got rear-ended while I was stopped at the stop sign. We exchanged each other's license, insurance and registration information, and went to the police station to put the case on file.

Symptoms from the crash didn't effect me immediately, however now i'm starting to feel lower back pain, and headaches; probably due to the whiplash. I went to the doctors where they prescribed me medications, and physiotherapy.

I called my insurance, and they told me that collisions were not covered under my policy, and that I would have to go through the third party's insurance to report the claim.

Also I called my dealership, to see where the best place to my body parts replaced for my vehicle as damages are more than $2000. They recommended me Contemporary Coachworks, but told me that my insurance would recommend me the best places to get an estimate.

I would like some advice, and what else I should do, or some things to avoid, as this is my first accident.

Thanks

[EVERLAST]

Paging Vlad the Impaler

[cupofjoe]

Talk to Vlad, great guy. Can help you with dealing with the other insurance party.

[manwiches]

If you were rear-ended, you're not at fault. Your insurance company should be going to bat for you, and talking to the person's insurance company who hit you. I have never heard of an insurance company not able/willing to help if you were not at fault. This is from my experience, having been hit on 3 occasions.

As for symptoms etc, make sure you keep all receipts, and document all your trips to the doctor. I would recommend seeing an accident specialist (I've PMed you a name), as they will assist you in getting maximum return from the insurance company at fault. Of course this is for a fee (I believe it was 10-15% for me). For soft tissue injuries, there is a cap (I believe $5000), and you will have all your physio/massage therapy covered through your insurance company (via the at fault one).

As for autobody, I've made the plug plenty of times, but Contemporary is one of the best in the city. My cousin runs the north shop.

Before you do any of this though, discuss your options with your insurance company, and verify the process.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by manwiches

If you were rear-ended, you're not at fault. Your insurance company should be going to bat for you, and talking to the person's insurance company who hit you. I have never heard of an insurance company not able/willing to help if you were not at fault. This is from my experience, having been hit on 3 occasions.

Before you do any of this though, discuss your options with your insurance company, and verify the process.

You probably have collision and comprehensive coverage, I'm betting the OP only has PLPD. If this is the case, his insurance company has zero obligations to him, fault or not.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

You probably have collision and comprehensive coverage, I'm betting the OP only has PLPD. If this is the case, his insurance company has zero obligations to him, fault or not.

That is ridiculous. I thought that even if you had minimum insurance, you'd still be protected if you were not at fault.

I'm not pretending i know the process at all... just shocked if that's the case.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by manwiches

That is ridiculous. I thought that even if you had minimum insurance, you'd still be protected if you were not at fault.

I'm not pretending i know the process at all... just shocked if that's the case.

You're not paying for the coverage, why should you get the benefits?

Minimum insurance is meant to cover other people from your actions only.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by manwiches

That is ridiculous. I thought that even if you had minimum insurance, you'd still be protected if you were not at fault.

I'm not pretending i know the process at all... just shocked if that's the case.

It's because the policy he has is to cover liability, aka damages to other people and not for his own vehicle. What his insurance policy should be paying for though is called Section B benefits, which is medical coverage for him and occupants in his vehicle.

Those are no fault benefits.

[Kjesse]

Step 1: Call Vlad
Step 2: Retire in comfort, sleeping on piles of money.

I'm joking about step 2, but step 1 is a good idea.

Collision insurance only comes into play if you damage your own car where you are at fault. In a rear ender where you are in the front, the other party's insurance will cover your vehicle damages, and you won't need Vlad for that.

In fact, you could be uninsured, get rear-ended, and the other insurance company still pays. (But enjoy the $2500 fine).

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by manwiches

That is ridiculous. I thought that even if you had minimum insurance, you'd still be protected if you were not at fault.

I'm not pretending i know the process at all... just shocked if that's the case.

Basically minimum coverage only covers damage that you cause to others. So in this case, the other drivers insurance company will be who takes care of the OP. And say for example, if the other driver also only has minimum coverage, then their insurance would cover OP's damage but not the damage to their clients vehicle

[VladtheImpaler]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. The basic advice is on my website (www.zhivovlaw.ca). I don't want to give legal advice on the internet. Even if you don't have comprehensive, your insurance has to provide the section B no-fault medical benefits for up to 2 years. For property damage you will have to deal with the other side - they owe you a rental until your vehicle is repaired or until they pay you out if it's written off. Go to the doctor. If you have specific questions email/PM me...

[HappyGilmore]

Well you can expect a little pay out once you settle that's for sure. I think around 5g for soft tissue

[speede5]

How much of a savings do you get between having just collision/liability and full comp coverage? Being from SK all vehichles have full comp.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by speede5

How much of a savings do you get between having just collision/liability and full comp coverage? Being from SK all vehichles have full comp.

Well those are actually 3 different coverages. Quick overview:

Collision: covers damage to your vehicle as a result of a collision (another car, tree, etc)

Comprehensive: covers things like fire, theft, generally collisions with animals such as deer.

Liability: Covers the damages that occur to another party as a result of your liability. For example you rear-end someone and at "at-fault" (AKA liable) for the damages.

The insurance you must carry to drive a vehicle in Alberta is liability coverage (PLPD which is personal liability, personal damages). Collision is optional, but the risk is that you have an accident and damages to your vehicle that are your fault and the vehicle won't be repaired. If you have collision and the accident is disputed or they can't reach the third-party involved, or that party won't accept liability, you can have the vehicle repaired and the insurer will act on your behalf to get it taken care of.

[Hanni]

Originally Posted by speede5

How much of a savings do you get between having just collision/liability and full comp coverage? Being from SK all vehichles have full comp.

I drive a vehicle worth about 5k and decided to look into only getting PLPD because of the value, the difference was something like $50 a year. The agent told me at lower values the premium increase is small, I figured it was worth it to keep full coverage rather than be out of pocket for a replacement/repairs if something happened.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well those are actually 3 different coverages. Quick overview:

Collision: covers damage to your vehicle as a result of a collision (another car, tree, etc)

Comprehensive: covers things like fire, theft, generally collisions with animals such as deer.

Liability: Covers the damages that occur to another party as a result of your liability. For example you rear-end someone and at "at-fault" (AKA liable) for the damages.

The insurance you must carry to drive a vehicle in Alberta is liability coverage (PLPD which is personal liability, personal damages). Collision is optional, but the risk is that you have an accident and damages to your vehicle that are your fault and the vehicle won't be repaired. If you have collision and the accident is disputed or they can't reach the third-party involved, or that party won't accept liability, you can have the vehicle repaired and the insurer will act on your behalf to get it taken care of.

Bad post on my part, I understand all that. Just really wondering if the savings are worth it between minimum and maximum coverage.

There are people in SK who want to go to private insurance, I'm always curious how much better private would or wouldn't be. Lot's of variables beyond just what it costs the individual though.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by speede5

Bad post on my part, I understand all that. Just really wondering if the savings are worth it between minimum and maximum coverage.

There are people in SK who want to go to private insurance, I'm always curious how much better private would or wouldn't be. Lot's of variables beyond just what it costs the individual though.

That's a whole new subject for debate and everyone will have their opinion and horror story to tell on wither side of the argument - myself included. But I honestly don't see how public insurance can be any better than private as far as net cost. At the end of the day it probably doesn't matter. Private insurance means the policy holder will pay for any increases in cost to the insurance company. Public insurance may hold premiums down but at the end of the day the taxpayer will have to make up any difference so it's probably a wash anyhow.

[killer_carlson]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which is very important, in my opinion, is to make sure you are ok.

If you feel like you need to see a doctor, go get an appointment with your doctor and get checked out.

Property can be replaced easier than your physicial body components. You are more important than your car.

(or at least I am making that assumption)

[hockey.modern]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which is very important, in my opinion, is to make sure you are ok.

If you feel like you need to see a doctor, go get an appointment with your doctor and get checked out.

Property can be replaced easier than your physicial body components. You are more important than your car.

(or at least I am making that assumption)

I was at the doctors the other day, in which I was prescribed some medications and physiotherapy treatment. My headaches have seemed to be getting worse, however only for a certain time, so I'll be going back to the doctors again, to see if anything is significant about that. Seriously didn't think it would be this bad, considering the accident wasn't a major one at all.

On the insurance note, I'm just waiting for a phone call from what I would presume is from the third party, asking me questions about the accident itself and post-incident.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

I was at the doctors the other day, in which I was prescribed some medications and physiotherapy treatment. My headaches have seemed to be getting worse, however only for a certain time, so I'll be going back to the doctors again, to see if anything is significant about that. Seriously didn't think it would be this bad, considering the accident wasn't a major one at all.

On the insurance note, I'm just waiting for a phone call from what I would presume is from the third party, asking me questions about the accident itself and post-incident.

Stop posting anything about your medical condition because the other side will find it (if this turns out to be a significant case that is - otherwise, they wouldn't bother). They will also look at your Facebook for your updates about wrestling bears, while you were allegedly disabled.