Car Accident

[sephir]

So I got into a car accident the other day. Essentially I was driving down a single lane road at about 25mph (speed limit). It was raining pretty hard. The car infront of me stopped and I did the same when the car behind me bumped into me. Then another car bumped into the car behind me. My car is fine (small paint scuff) and I don't think I am going to bother going through insurance, but the middle car is !@#$ed. It looks like it ran into a brick wall at 60 on both ends. The rearmost car has some damage but it looks like it is restricted to just the bumper.

I didn't slam on the brakes or anything. We reported the accident to the police and had it documented. Photos taken.

What are my chances that this could affect my insurance? Who would take fault in this situation? Anything I should be aware of?

[Kohan]

Did you hit the car in front of you when you were bumped?

As for the matter of fault:

For purposes of insurance and policing, the driver of the car that rear-ends the other car is almost always considered to be at fault due to not being within stopping distance or lack of attention. An exception to this rule comes into play if the rear-ended vehicle is in reverse gear. If the driver of the car that was rear-ended files a claim against the driver who hit him, said driver could be responsible for all damages to the other driver's car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear-end_collision

[Buffy]

In all situations, the car behind is the one at 'fault'. That driver needs to leave enough room, including accounting for driving conditions.

However, even when the accident isn't your fault, it gets tracked and DOES affect your insurance, regardless what you're told. If you can get your car fixed without involving the Police or the insurance agency, it will be to your benefit in the long run.

[sephir]

I didn't hit the cat infront of me when I got bumped. When I was stopped I had a safe buffer ahead of me.


I made a statement to the police after being requested to do so. I am not going to have my car repaired as the damage seems to be restricted to the paint on the bumper. I don't think my insurance company will be bothered unless it is contacted by the other driver.

[jmc]

I didn't hit the cat infront of me when I got bumped. When I was stopped I had a safe buffer ahead of me.


I made a statement to the police after being requested to do so. I am not going to have my car repaired as the damage seems to be restricted to the paint on the bumper. I don't think my insurance company will be bothered unless it is contacted by the other driver.

You should be good then, as your insurance should not be paying a dime to the middle car driver.

[MaachaQ]

It's stuff like this that can easily become a he-said-she-said, and a big reason I'm glad my husband had "black box" cameras installed in our new car. Korean drivers are largely insane and I want to be protected when one of them finally hits me or causes an accident near me >.> Seriously, I see crap like blowing red lights, going 20k/h+ over the speed limit on mountain roads, changing 3+ lanes at a time without signals, etc on a daily basis... We've only had it installed for a week so I don't have anything to share yet, but I'm sure I could take the memory card inside after I get home today and find several clips that could easily have led to accidents.

[archibaldcrane]

You're fine, although if you want you could definitely have the middle car's insurance company get your bumper repainted. But yeah, if you don't care it's probably best to keep your insurance unaware so you don't have to show an "accident - not at fault" on your policy.

[Kohan]

It's stuff like this that can easily become a he-said-she-said, and a big reason I'm glad my husband had "black box" cameras installed in our new car. Korean drivers are largely insane and I want to be protected when one of them finally hits me or causes an accident near me >.> Seriously, I see crap like blowing red lights, going 20k/h+ over the speed limit on mountain roads, changing 3+ lanes at a time without signals, etc on a daily basis... We've only had it installed for a week so I don't have anything to share yet, but I'm sure I could take the memory card inside after I get home today and find several clips that could easily have led to accidents.

Should you be in the United States again and desire a trip down chaotic driving memory lane, please do visit the Korean district of Little Saigon in Garden Grove, California. Everything you have described and more will be yours!

[Vandalhart]

I'd be wary of the possibility of some whip lash problems if the car behind you hit you pretty hard.

[Acevalefor]

My wife was recently in an accident where she hit the car in front of her at idle speed, less than 3mph. Her foot slipped off the brake while at a red light and she was too close to the car in front of her. There was no damage beyond a bent license plate on my wife's van (we are required to have front plates here). The lady she bumped proceeded to file a claim and submitted a repair estimate for over $2000. Following this, 3 weeks after the "accident" she filed a personal injury claim saying she had a neck injury. When our insurance company contacted us, they were looking for information regarding damage to our vehicle and any injuries. We took photos and sent them to our insurance and had a good laugh with the agent about "injuries". My wife gave a statement with a witness explaining that there was no damage etc. I have had someone open their door into the side of my car harder than my wife hit this lady. Our insurance company turned the whole thing over to fraud protection and is now pursuing the lady with criminal charges.

Now that story time is over, the conclusion is that you should make the guy pay for repainting your bumper but leave your insurance out of it altogether.

[Metta]

So I got into a car accident the other day. Essentially I was driving down a single lane road at about 25mph (speed limit). It was raining pretty hard. The car infront of me stopped and I did the same when the car behind me bumped into me. Then another car bumped into the car behind me. My car is fine (small paint scuff) and I don't think I am going to bother going through insurance, but the middle car is !@#$ed. It looks like it ran into a brick wall at 60 on both ends. The rearmost car has some damage but it looks like it is restricted to just the bumper.

I didn't slam on the brakes or anything. We reported the accident to the police and had it documented. Photos taken.

What are my chances that this could affect my insurance? Who would take fault in this situation? Anything I should be aware of?

Nothing will go against you, you were hit in the rear whilst stationary. If you go to your insurance company they will chase up the car behind you for settlement. The car behind you the front end damage will be considered their own fault but the rear will be covered by the vehicle that went in to the back of them.

You should speak to your insurance company and have as much details of the third partys as possible because it may seem like minor work but could be worse if you have parking sensors or anything at the rear of your vehicle.