Construction cones on highway:car damage

[Anonymous]

While traveling back home for the holidays, I ran over a couple of construction cones in the middle of the road. I am still pretty shaken up and there is some damage to the car. There was a semi truck next too me, so I could not swerve to avoid the accident. I went back and caught a photo of another cone on the side of the highway turned over. Where do I even start addressing this? I was traveling with my young daughter and it really scared me. This was a two lane underpass with a sharp turn.

[Anonymous]

It's called your insurance company! What in the world are you thinking, just let them sort it out. Not your problem other then maybe a deductible. Stuff like this happens to everyone. A no fault claim such as this means nothing to your insurance company, no different then having a rock crack your windshield.

[Anonymous]

Although, if there's damage amount that's about equivalent with your deductible, I wouldn't involve your insurance company at all.

[Anonymous]

Just call your insurance company and ask for advice. If the damage is minimal, just pay for it and don't make a claim. A claim will make your rates go up since the accident is clearly not the cone's fault. You hit something. You are fine. Collision work is easy to arrange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's called your insurance company! What in the world are you thinking, just let them sort it out. Not your problem other then maybe a deductible. Stuff like this happens to everyone. A no fault claim such as this means nothing to your insurance company, no different then having a rock crack your windshield.

This is different than a rock. She ran into something. That is collision, not comprehensive coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just call your insurance company and ask for advice. If the damage is minimal, just pay for it and don't make a claim. A claim will make your rates go up since the accident is clearly not the cone's fault. You hit something. You are fine. Collision work is easy to arrange.

I would also report the incident to VDOT (or whatever state you were in, the organization that runs the roads) with the evidence you have. This may help with the insurance angle.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I ran into a cone that should not have been left to blow in the wind by the construction crew. There were several that were left. This was negligent on the construction crews part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I ran into a cone that should not have been left to blow in the wind by the construction crew. There were several that were left. This was negligent on the construction crews part.

LOL. good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I ran into a cone that should not have been left to blow in the wind by the construction crew. There were several that were left. This was negligent on the construction crews part.

PP suggested contacting VDOT or whatever state transportation. Are you saying the cones were not from a road crew, but were from a nearby construction site? If so, then yes, I would contact that construction company, or mention it to your insurance, if the damage is that great.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? It's as if you hit something. There is no one to sue. If you want it covered, go under your insurance.

[Anonymous]

Consider, too, that there could be damage to the cone and that could get tricky.

[Anonymous]

Go through your insurance, they'll handle it.

I was in an accident at the end of September because a truck dropped PVC pipes. Never did find the truck, but I was not found at fault through insurance or legally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I ran into a cone that should not have been left to blow in the wind by the construction crew. There were several that were left. This was negligent on the construction crews part.

You can explain this to your insurance company. If you opt to file a claim with them, they will investigate and if there is any case against the DOT, they will pursue trying to get recompense. I highly doubt that there will be any recompense from the DOT, but insurance companies are masters at getting back money from any insurable damage if at all possible. Let them do the dirty work if there is any arguing to be done.

[Anonymous]

What state were you in? This type of thing happens - check VDOT online, or another states equivalent. And contact your insurance. You can get advice without filing a claim, they will know who you should call and how to proceed. And having them contact the other party might be useful. I know I don't pay my deductible unless and until my car is fixed (and I pay it to the repair shop) so they may be able to get the DOT of the state you were traveling in to foot the damage without you needing to pay anything.

[Anonymous]

This is one of those times where it's nearly impossible to place the blame for the "accident". While it's possible that someone's negligence was responsible for the cone being where it was, you will never be able to prove it. By all means, ask your insurance company, but it pretty much comes under the "shit happens" category and you just suck it up and move on.