accident advice

[vital]

I was just involved in a 4 car chain accident and was in the 3rd position. The car infront of me was lightly hit and they claimed that the bumper was shifted. My rear was hit pretty bad. Since no one had any serious bodily injuries, the police didn't provide a police report. I'm going to call my insurance first thing tomorrow morning but I have a few questions I'd like answered before I do.

Who should be responsible in paying for my damages? There are 2 cars in the chain behind me and I have liability insurance.

Should I also get a lawyer involved? My neck and head feels really tense and I'd like to see the chiropractor.

 

[Tiamat]

just thank god you were not the last car in the chain. I dunno the answer to the rest of your questions though...

 

[Aimster]

Last one in chain pays for all.

 

[pstylesss]

The police may not have given you a copy, but you should be able to call and get a copy. There is no way there was a 4 car accident and no report filed.

 

[vital]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
The police may not have given you a copy, but you should be able to call and get a copy. There is no way there was a 4 car accident and no report filed.

Yeah, I'm sure there was one filed and he said it'll take 5 days but can't provide us one since no one was severely injured.

 

[mugs]

Did the cars in the chain hit each other in order from back to front or front to back? That is, were you pushed into the guy in front of you?

 

[vital]

Originally posted by: mugs
Did the cars in the chain hit each other in order from back to front or front to back? That is, were you pushed into the guy in front of you?

yeah, it was at a stoplight and the guy behind pushed everyone forward from back to front.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Originally posted by: vital

Originally posted by: mugs
Did the cars in the chain hit each other in order from back to front or front to back? That is, were you pushed into the guy in front of you?

yeah, it was at a stoplight and the guy behind pushed everyone forward from back to front.

Well, there you go. Guy behind.

 

[vital]

Originally posted by: ConstipatedVigilante

Originally posted by: vital

Originally posted by: mugs
Did the cars in the chain hit each other in order from back to front or front to back? That is, were you pushed into the guy in front of you?

yeah, it was at a stoplight and the guy behind pushed everyone forward from back to front.

Well, there you go. Guy behind.

I don't get it though. Why would the cop only tell us to exchange information with the people we made contact with? (Although at the end everyone did receive each other's information)

 

[BoomerD]

Because, unfortunately, YOU are responsible for the damage your car caused to the vehicle in front of you. Yes, ultimately, the insurance company of the guy who started it will have to reimburse all the other insurance companies, but in the interim period, everyone will have their seperate claims to deal with, just as you would if he hadn't caused it...

 

[Spikesoldier]

I think it depends on your state.

read up on your policy nonetheless

if BoomerD is correct, it sounds like youre going to end up with nothing but a wrecked car and not a dime extra.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
I think it depends on your state.

read up on your policy nonetheless

if BoomerD is correct, it sounds like youre going to end up with nothing but a wrecked car and not a dime extra.

In theory, everyone should end up with repaired automobiles, BUT, with the OP only having liability, he might have to fight with the insurance company of the guy who caused the whole thing...
Usually, you just go to your own insurance company, they take care of the repairs, then they get reimbursed from the other guy's insurance. (depends on what state you're in...no-fault may be different)
Since the OP only has liability, he has no insurance company (collision coverage) to fall back on, and will be dependant on the other party's coverage...if he has any.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

I don't know much about insurance, but I hope you feel better bro. Being in accidents is scary and it sucks, especially such a big one too.

 

[gururu2]

this happened to me in a 3 car incident, I was the 2nd car. It all depends on who hit who first. If the front car braked suddenly and you hit it and then the ones behind you bumped you, then it is either your fault or the car in front of you. If you were all stationary and the last car hit the 2nd car causing a chain reaction, then its the last cars fault. 4 people is good, because you would have at least 3 witnesses that are claiming the same story. the accident reports can be obtained online with a specific reference number that the officer should have given all the parties- at the very least you should have received the officers business card. the accident report will most likely not be used by the insurance agency to settle any damages unless you or another person dispute (which may involve court) so get a copy as soon as its put online. other than that, you cant do anything except call your insurance agency and notify them of what happened. In addition make sure you notify the insurance agency of the person who is to blame for causing damage to your car (the car in front or the car in back, depending on the most common story in the police report). Even if you can't see the report yet, you should have an idea of who is responsible for your car. If the entire accident was your fault, then you kind of have to let your insurance resolve the claims on their own.