Accident and Insurance Premiums

[peter12]

Hey guys,

I'm 21 and I drive a brand-new Toyota Matrix. Just drove it off the lot a week ago. Today, I was making a left hand turn on a one way and sideswiped the front passenger side of my car. The front panel and a tiny corner of the bumper are dented in there, maybe $1500 damage.

Now, I am 99.5% sure that I turned on a green, but the driver of the other car insists I went through the red. He also says he has witnesses, not sure where he got them, there was about 2 minutes time between the accident and the time I went over to talk to him. The guy was a real dick, he refused to provide me with his information and alll that jazz.

I am totally freaked out that I made some major slip of mind and may be at fault. How do these things work? In over 4 years of driving, this is my first ever accident. Will the insurance companies just talk and settle 50-50? Is there any danger of my rates just skyrocketing upwards?

Hahaha, can my car be fixed to look like new?!

[CaramonLS]

How much damage was done to his car? Is the 1500$ total or just to your car? What is your deductable?

If the damage to both cars totals 1500$, just pay it out of your own pocket, otherwise it will cripple your insurance rates for years, and you'll end up paying more in the long run.

Also, if there is a dispute, I'd go to the cops - fill out your side of the story in the police report, and see what happens. Although if he can produce witnesses (they sound of the fictional variety) - you might be SOL in that respect.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

How much damage was done to his car? Is the 1500$ total or just to your car? What is your deductable?

If the damage to both cars totals 1500$, just pay it out of your own pocket, otherwise it will cripple your insurance rates for years, and you'll end up paying more in the long run.

Also, if there is a dispute, I'd go to the cops - fill out your side of the story in the police report, and see what happens. Although if he can produce witnesses (they sound of the fictional variety) - you might be SOL in that respect.

You might have to go irregardless, depending on how much damage there actually is. I forget the actual figure, maybe $1000? and you need a sticker from them before you can even get an appraisal to have it fixed.

Now, even if you go and file a report, you can still pay out of your own pocket if this was your fault.

[peter12]

The guy was driving an old half ton truck. The American solid steel variety. His car had a nice shiny piece of my bumper sticking onto the hubcap. That's it.

He wouldn't provide his insurance info with me and he didn't want mine. I'm not sure if he had the good sense to talk to witnesses. I'm still probably screwed paying 50-50. I'll probably just pay out of pocket.

I went to the cops about an hour after the accident. I had his plates, so they tracked him down and got the rest of his stuff. Apparently, he didn't know he was supposed to come in and file a report.

[jar_e]

Damage over $1000 requires both of you to goto a CPS district office and get a damage sticker. Also, call 266 - 1234 (police nonemerg) if there is a dispute for more info.

[Stillman16]

Sounds like he knows he's at fault, and trying to scare you off.

Like others said, file your side, talk to insurance, they will be able to advise you either way, they should be able to give you your options (cost wise) and it should still be your option which way to go.

If the investigation finds him at fault, you'll pay nothing.

I'm not sure if this is possible, but there are a alot of traffic cameras on various intersections, and they may be able to search back. Ithink they can for specific incidents (ie. accidents w/time location info).

Good luck

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by peter12

The guy was driving an old half ton truck. The American solid steel variety. His car had a nice shiny piece of my bumper sticking onto the hubcap. That's it.

He wouldn't provide his insurance info with me and he didn't want mine. I'm not sure if he had the good sense to talk to witnesses. I'm still probably screwed paying 50-50. I'll probably just pay out of pocket.

I went to the cops about an hour after the accident. I had his plates, so they tracked him down and got the rest of his stuff. Apparently, he didn't know he was supposed to come in and file a report.

His unwillingness to swap insurance info or anything else is puzzling - I'll bet he's uninsured or something fishy. Or like someone said, he know's he's at fault.

I can imagine your pain of a new car messed up - don't worry, body shops can fix stuff up easily.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

His unwillingness to swap insurance info or anything else is puzzling - I'll bet he's uninsured or something fishy.

I also think it's illegal to not provide certain info at the scene of an accident. I think it's something along the lines of he has to give you name, address, and phone number; as well as the name of his insurance company. I think he doesn't have to provide you with his policy number though.

[ernie]

Beware that it may not matter if he was at fault or not.

When making any sort of turn, whether on a green or not, the guy turning has to make sure the way is clear. I know a couple of people who were hit making left hand turns on an arrow that got hit when a guy coming the other way ran the red.

In both instances, the guy running the red got ticketed for running the red. My friends making the turn also got ticketed for making unsafe turns because they did not make sure the intersection was clear and safe when making the turn.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Unfortunately, the insurance companies have decided across the board that the person making the left turn is at fault - doesn't matter the circumstances. My gf was clearing the intersection on a yellow a couple of years ago driving a truck with a flatbed trailer attached, the guy was running the red at such a rate of speed that it sheared the hitch clear off the trailer - she was deemed at fault because it was her responsibility to make sure the intersection was clear.

The insurance companies are now involved in a legal battle over who is paying for the accident.

[Alana Flames]

A couple years back I got rear-ended by a motorcycle. He told me he'd pay the damages out of his pocket. next thing I know, HE'S filed a claim on MY insurance, and by the time I find out about it, not only has the file closed that it's MY fault, but he's also claimed injury. So my insurance went way up for an accident I wasn't even at fault for, because this guy was a greesy dirtbag. Anyways the moral here is to wathc out for your own assets and interests.... don't let this guy scare you off by telling you you ran a red. You clearly know you turned on a green. Also, not giving you his information is illegal! even if you WERE at fault, both insurance companies become involved in order to settle it. It really sounds like he knows he's at fault, or doesn't have insurance. why else would he be such an ass if here isn't even damage to his truck? Don't back down, and stick to your guns. If you think he's called insurance you will definatly want to talk to them yourself to give them your side. If he hasn't, talk to him and try to not go through insurance (anything under 3000 you're better of paying it yourself).

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Alana Flames

A couple years back I got rear-ended by a motorcycle. He told me he'd pay the damages out of his pocket. next thing I know, HE'S filed a claim on MY insurance, and by the time I find out about it, not only has the file closed that it's MY fault, but he's also claimed injury. So my insurance went way up for an accident I wasn't even at fault for, because this guy was a greesy dirtbag. Anyways the moral here is to wathc out for your own assets and interests.... don't let this guy scare you off by telling you you ran a red. You clearly know you turned on a green. Also, not giving you his information is illegal! even if you WERE at fault, both insurance companies become involved in order to settle it. It really sounds like he knows he's at fault, or doesn't have insurance. why else would he be such an ass if here isn't even damage to his truck? Don't back down, and stick to your guns. If you think he's called insurance you will definatly want to talk to them yourself to give them your side. If he hasn't, talk to him and try to not go through insurance (anything under 3000 you're better of paying it yourself).

Don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt when in an accident situation. Fight them back with as much agression as they fight on you. According to a buddy who works for the province regarding documentation that close to 40% of cars on the road do not have adaqute documentation (ie correct address on registration, insurance etc,) If this guy falls in that category he'll try to bully you into not going after him.

[peter12]

Yeah, I went and filed a police report right away and started my claims process. I am pretty sure this doesn't have insurance. He was looking more upset than I was and he had no damage to his vehicle.

He gave me his business number to call, I called later to confirm the guy wasn't just bullting me. I guess it was his boss' number, who apparently had been warned I was going to call. We started shouting at each other over the phone, until I realized how immature it was and hung up.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by peter12

Yeah, I went and filed a police report right away and started my claims process. I am pretty sure this doesn't have insurance. He was looking more upset than I was and he had no damage to his vehicle.

He gave me his business number to call, I called later to confirm the guy wasn't just bullting me. I guess it was his boss' number, who apparently had been warned I was going to call. We started shouting at each other over the phone, until I realized how immature it was and hung up.

Shouting? Why? Dude is not trustworthy so your going the insurance way is definately the right thing to do. I'm going to guess his employee fed him a bunch BS to save his own skin and blame it all on you.

Your insurance should take care of all your haggling for you - it's not worth your time to deal with this goomba.