Involved in a car accident- other person at fault

[Anonymous]

We had similar accident. We had our insurance help us. That worked out really well as the other insurance (Geico) was claiming we were 10% at fault so we should be partially responsible. Our insurance shut that down pronto. We did pay a deductible but that was reimbursed later.

[Anonymous]

Our DD’s car was totaled by another person. We went through our insurance and paid the deductible but it was refunded later after our insurance settled everything with their insurance. Our premiums were not impacted since our DD was not ticketed and the other driver was. Our total loss check was issued by our insurance company as well.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you were both cited? Am I reading that correctly. That is relevant even if the accident was ruled to be the other drivers fault? Or was it ruled a no fault accident with both drivers getting citations??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you were both cited? Am I reading that correctly. That is relevant even if the accident was ruled to be the other drivers fault? Or was it ruled a no fault accident with both drivers getting citations??

Are your questions directed to OP or last two posters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you were both cited? Am I reading that correctly. That is relevant even if the accident was ruled to be the other drivers fault? Or was it ruled a no fault accident with both drivers getting citations??

Are your questions directed to OP or last two posters?

The OP

[Anonymous]

OP here- the other insurance called today, took a minimal statement and then stated they were fully liable. I was in no way at fault and was definitely NOT cited. So no reason to go through my insurance.

I guess the question now is whether to get an attorney.

Thanks for everyone’s help.

[Anonymous]

Call your insurance agent. What are you afraid of?
We let ours deal with tge other insurance company even though other guy was at fault and cited. Why hassle it? Things crop up. It also insulates you from other party calling you (ours did, spouse said talk to our agent and told agent who shut that down).
Call your agent. It's paid for in your premium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- the other insurance called today, took a minimal statement and then stated they were fully liable. I was in no way at fault and was definitely NOT cited. So no reason to go through my insurance.

I guess the question now is whether to get an attorney.

Thanks for everyone’s help.

Get a lawyer so you do not have to deal with the insurance companies and so you can get a settlement. The settlement is not s money grab, it is a agreement $$$ that you will not bring up the issue again in the future (such as 10 years down the line of you want to say oh my back is hurting again pay me you can't).

I was in a car accident about 5 years ago and went through this process.

[Anonymous]

OP do whatever. Is there a reason you didn't call your insurance agent? My insurance card says call police, don't admit liability, call agent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP do whatever. Is there a reason you didn't call your insurance agent? My insurance card says call police, don't admit liability, call agent.

Many insurance companies raise rates for not at fault accidents. Progressive even counts if you use their road side service to raise rates. My daughter got a flat tire and they used that to jack rates.

Progressive and when I had Geico told me if I am in a not at fault accident and I go through them it is a lot of man power and time spent dealing with other insurance company and although not as much a hike as an at fault accident they will want to get paid.

BTW my daughter had two minor not at fault accidents in less than one year. Geico did not pay out anything. Geico did not raise rates but they just refused to reinsure me with my daughter on policy.

[Anonymous]

This is the OP.

To be clear, I did report it to my insurance who took my statement. They were the ones that gave me the option, but their recommendation was to go through the other insurance since there was clear liability.

Since then, the other person's insurance has contacted me, has stated that they are fully liable, has set up to have my car moved to a repair shop (they let me choose so I chose the dealership I bought it at as I trust them), and has set up my rental. TBH, they've been nothing but great. Hopefully, it continues to be this easy.

[Anonymous]

Here’s the thing about getting an attorney. If you are competent to gather all of your bills and submit them you will save yourself a lot of money by not. You will pay an attorney 33-40% of your recovery. And for an accident where fault is undisputed and injuries are minor, there isn’t much to recover. Plus attorneys drag things out.

Signed, an attorney

[Anonymous]

OP- you don’t need an attorney. You’re entitled to payment for your property and Lao any bodily injury/lost wages. Keep records.

PP is spot on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP- you don’t need an attorney. You’re entitled to payment for your property and Lao any bodily injury/lost wages. Keep records.

PP is spot on

And she is entitled to a settlement, which is standard for these cases, which she will not get w/o a lawyer. And the lawyer will do all of the paperwork for her. A win win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s the thing about getting an attorney. If you are competent to gather all of your bills and submit them you will save yourself a lot of money by not. You will pay an attorney 33-40% of your recovery. And for an accident where fault is undisputed and injuries are minor, there isn’t much to recover. Plus attorneys drag things out.

Signed, an attorney

30-40% of what she would not get otherwise so stupid to leave money on table by not getting a lawyer.