Argh Got into an accident today. Need a few answers to questions Help!

[DAWeinG]

Ok this is my second car accident, the first one being my fault. I was driving down a street, already in the lane for right turns only. I was already slowing down because there was heavy traffic except in my lane and this lady comes out of nowhere due to this huge @$$ yellow Ryder truck blocking her view. So she slams right into my car. You can see this pretty big dent in the front of my car and her front right bumper is hanging. So I was wondering if my insurance rates would go up even though I believe it was her fault. She claimed that she "was going very slowly" which I didn't think she did. And also, this being my second accident, I already had an insurance hike but would this have any affect? Is there a way she can fabricate a story so that the insurance companies see it her way? I mean, it's pretty clear from the dent that she hit me.

Edit: Wasn't clear in the on the part of the "You can see this pretty big dent in the front of my car and her front right bumper is hanging. " part. What I meant was, there's a big dent on the left side near the front of the car. Her front right part of the car which looks to be a bumper was hanging.

 

[Nocturnal]

talk to a lawyer.

 

[DAWeinG]

<< talk to a lawyer. >>



Don't you mean my insurance agent? And wouldn't a lawyer be f'in expensive especially for a small accident like this? I'm going to file a report within the hour.

 

[Nocturnal]

<<

<< talk to a lawyer. >>



Don't you mean my insurance agent? And wouldn't a lawyer be f'in expensive especially for a small accident like this? I'm going to file a report within the hour. >>



oh yeah, your insurance agent too.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Ohhhhhhhhhh. My neck is killing me. I have horrible headaches and my arms and fingers are numb. I'm suicidally depressed because I can't go to work or school.

YOU'RE GONNA PAY, B!TCH!!!

 

[DAWeinG]

<< Ohhhhhhhhhh. My neck is killing me. I have horrible headaches and my arms and fingers are numb. I'm suicidally depressed because I can't go to work or school.

YOU'RE GONNA PAY, B!TCH!!! >>



bwahahaha yeah that's what the b!tch in the first accident did :disgust: but I'm not the kind of person who would go there

 

[ScottyB]

Umm what did the cops say? If you didn't get da ticket dey must aqcuit it.

 

[DAWeinG]

<< Umm what did the cops say? If you didn't get da ticket dey must aqcuit it. >>



There were no cops on the scene, I guess myself and the other person in the accident thought it was too minor to call the police. Is that bad or good? Why do I get the feeling that my insurance rates are gonna jump?

 

[Jfur]

<<

<< Umm what did the cops say? If you didn't get da ticket dey must aqcuit it. >>



There were no cops on the scene, I guess myself and the other person in the accident thought it was too minor to call the police. Is that bad or good? Why do I get the feeling that my insurance rates are gonna jump? >>



Incredibly bad. Get a police report now and make sure it states that she hit you.

 

[DAWeinG]

argh crap, how do I get a police report?

Edit: Umm nm, I think I do that by calling my local police dept..........

Crap, what happens if I already reported it to the insurance company? Can I still add the police report etc? dammit...

 

[Argo]

Your insurance might go up but by a pretty insignificant amount. Provided, that the police and insurance company both determine that it wasn't your fault.

 

[ScottyB]

I think you're getting in trouble, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident no matter how small. I would still call the police so it is taken care of.

 

[DAWeinG]

<< Your insurance might go up but by a pretty insignificant amount. Provided, that the police and insurance company both determine that it wasn't your fault. >>



And by a streak of bad luck, would you know how much it would go up if they determined if I was at fault?

 

[DAWeinG]

<< I think you're getting in trouble, it is illegal to leave the scene of the accident no matter how small. I would still call the police so it is taken care of. >>



Crap, is that true by California law?

 

[Argo]

<<

<< Your insurance might go up but by a pretty insignificant amount. Provided, that the police and insurance company both determine that it wasn't your fault. >>



And by a streak of bad luck, would you know how much it would go up if they determined if I was at fault? >>



My guess would be no more than 10%

 

[Karsten]

Wow... the rule is pretty simple:

Accident + not your fault = POLICE BECAUSE IT IS IN YOUR FAVOUR

Now... we can reverse the result:

Accident + your fault = No Police BECAUSE IT IS IN YOUR FAVOUR

In your case there is one more equation:

Accident + not your fault - POLICE = Your screwed

No witness + no proof of inoscence - Police = Dumbass (Picture Red Forman from the 70's show saying that )

 

[jaydee]

<< Ohhhhhhhhhh. My neck is killing me. I have horrible headaches and my arms and fingers are numb. I'm suicidally depressed because I can't go to work or school.YOU'RE GONNA PAY, B!TCH!!! >>


Ah, the American way....


<< There were no cops on the scene, I guess myself and the other person in the accident thought it was too minor to call the police. Is that bad or good? Why do I get the feeling that my insurance rates are gonna jump? >>


Lemme guess, SHE talked you out of it?

 

[XZeroII]

If you didn't call the police at the scene, she might have afterward and claimed that you hit her and then sped away. They would then believe her because she called the police. Your best bet would be to call the police right away and report it. Your insurance will go up, but it's better to handle it correctly now than get screwed later.

 

[erub]

I had a wreck, and it wasn't my fault, the guy was real nice and admitted fault (he hit me from behind) and the insurance companies sorted it out; we didn't call the police. Another time I had a fender bender, and we settled out of insurance, no police - again, the ppl were nice and not out to scam us.

Another time I had a major at fault accident, and the police came, cause it was real bad. And the fourth time, refused to exchange information, and it was his fault - so i called the police, and we both waited. He was an immigrant and didn't understand how this stuff worked...his insurance was expired, so my insurance had to cove\r me(uninsured motorist coverage).

And amazingly, my insurance is still only $100/month (USD), 18 year old male...i'm the secondary driver on my car though (even though I'm always driving, hehe), cause we have 3 cars with 4 drivers..

 

[toant103]

i hope you won't complain to your doctor about your body hurting

 

[alrocky]

Your description of the accident is unclear. Were you hit while in the intersection? Was she driving in the same direction as you and then cut you off or was she on the other street going from left to right when she hit you? If you exchanged driver's license and insurance information noone is considered to have illegally "left the scene of an accident" and since there was no police by the time you both left, I doubt the police would now be willing to file an accident report. Were there any passengers in either car or other witnesses?

 

[777php]

I had some lady back into my at a parking lot, pretty significant damage for a parking lot accident. It was her fault and we didn't call the police. She wanted to take care of it without going to insurance, I agreed but only on the condition that we get everything cleared up by tomorrow. (meaning cash being exchanged for repairs by tomorrow) I went to three body shops and received printed estimates, averaged them and gave her an estimate. When I called her, she had done a 180 saying that I was my fault and that I was driving too fast in the parking lot. I said BS and filed an insurance claim. Later on that week an insurance agent came out to check my car for the damage and decided in my favor for the accident. I believe that they take into account both account events from both parties and they look at the damage (angle of impact, speed, etc.) and they can make a qualified decision based on that. The fact that the police not being there does not always mean that you cannot receive a favorable decision from your insurance company.

 

[Karsten]

Last case proves the point. If it is NOT YOUR FAULT.... why not call the police? To be nice? To be screwed with once you agreed so a verbal contract. If you have to much money and are willing to gamble with it.... heck why not! Don't call them.
I however am to cheap for that and don't enjoy fighting with strangers after the fact!