Options

Questions About Auto Insurance and Accidents

18081838586107

Comments

  • bismarckbismarck Member Posts: 34
    Not to mention going to the ambulance chaser's doctor...

    You do know he sent you there because they're likely to bill the highest amount for care and make your injury appear in ever so litigation friendly terms, right? Jeebus, wonder why our insurance rates keep going up... get you car fixed, and any LEGITIMATE injuries attended to, and move on....
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Jeebus, wonder why our insurance rates keep going up... get you car fixed, and any LEGITIMATE injuries attended to, and move on....

    THANK YOU! Hearing cases like this makes me want to puke! Great, an ambulance chasing lawyer finds someone who "might" be hurt and turns it in to a big payout.

    Going slightly off topic here, I read an interesting article the other day that some hospitals and medical providers are moving to a different approach with malpractice cases. Instead of the "Defend and Deny" approach that turns every potential plantiff in to an angry plaintiff who will then hire these ambulance chasers, they're taking the apologetic approach. Simply admitting fault, apologizing, and offering a fair settlement. The places that have switched to this have seen significant savings.
  • horpscorphorpscorp Member Posts: 2
    Ok, ive never been involved in anything like this before, never dealt with a lawyer etc...

    my sentra was totaled, i dealt with it through my company (progressive) who gave me blue book value for the car, i was able to get the deductible back since the police report said it was the other guys fault and he was covered.

    The posted speed limit WAS 60. but there are some little shops etc along the highway i was on and the guy pulling the trailer was pulling out of one of these.

    when the lawyer contacted me, i was under the impression that she worked for the other insurance company and that they needed me to be examined so i didnt come back and sue them later or something. i found out later that this wasnt the case, but the dr i saw said i needed therapy (my back WAS sore in a couple of places)

    im sorry if you guys think im some [non-permissible content removed] trying to scam the insurance company or something, but honestly i just didnt know what was going on. Who am i to argue with a dr? my back hurt and he said i needed therapy.

    im not an expert on the subject like some of you people, thats why im in here asking.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    If your back "really" hurts, why not see YOUR doctor instead of some attorney's buddy? Why in the name of the Lord would you see a strange doctor?
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I think the advice to see your own doctor and get an opinion is pretty good.

    I can see where everyone is coming from but I don't get that that is what you were intending. Just make sure that you got covered for your damage (you already did on the car) and move on.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    The posted speed limit WAS 60.

    I did say I was just curious. Usually, speed limits are reduced when a road has parking lot access to it but it's certainly not rare that rural roads maintain speed with such access.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    One more thing, you should have done what my buddy did in a similar situation. He was in his late 20s going through a divorce. He went out, got drunk and fell down in the apartment complex, breaking his wrist. His divorce attorney told him he could get him $10K for that by sueing the apartment complex. WTF? A young kid who is drunk falls down breaking his wrist and someone else is liable? My buddy told him to stick it.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,217
    "...told him he could get $10K for that..."

    You mean I could have gotten 10K every time I fell down the stairs drunk when I was young? Dang, I could be rich by now. :cry:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • lokkilokki Member Posts: 1,200
    Uhm, how "young" do you have to be? I'm in my 50's but other than that.... :blush:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,217
    "...how "young" do you have to be?..."

    I suspect that like professional sports, falling down drunk is a young man's game. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    Re-read your original post and you'll understand why we all were so suspicious. You didn't mention your car was totaled. You didn't mention YOUR insurance company was involved and had paid for your car. If you want reimbursement for your injuries, talk to your insuance co. or lawyer, not someone else.

    If your back is doing fine, then get reimbursed for the doctor bills. Don't be surprised if your medical insuranc company (if that is what you used to pay for the therapy), goes after the other driver to reimburse their expenditures.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    "He went out, got drunk and fell down in the apartment complex, breaking his wrist. His divorce attorney told him he could get him $10K for that by sueing the apartment complex."

    Maybe I'm just stupid, but I fail to see how falling down will get him money...now, if the stairs were negligently maintained and he broke his writs falling THRU the wodden stairs, the apt complex is negligent, whether he was drunk or not...but, if someone just falls down for no apparent reason except clumsy, there is no negligence and no $$$
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    I agree with you, but that's apparently what his attorney had told him. Correct me if I'm wrong, as you are THE legal expert here, but if someone is injured on your own property, aren't you negligent (don't ask me why), at least in the eyes of your own ins co? I've "heard" that was the case from more than one "expert".
  • PAmanPAman Member Posts: 207
    How long will it take? About the length of time it takes your current insurance company to find out about it and cancel you.

    How much will you get? Just about enough to pay your new raised insurance rates for a couple of years with your new substandard company who will be charging you overpriced rates.

    Bottom line: Insurance companies don't have any problem with someone suing to get reasonable reimbursment of legitimate expenses. But insurance companies also know who is running these doctor/lawyer/chiropractor mills for the purpose of pimping, er, puming out lots of money. (Yeah, they ARE pimping you.) Chances are, when they see the lawyer's name and the name of his/her doctor, they will know what is going on. Did you notice from the diploma which third-world country your doctor attended school at?

    By the way, whatever money comes into play, your "Fast Eddie" lawyer will take a third, plus the doctor bills. Enjoy!
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,217
    "...and he broke his writs..."

    I think only lawyers can break their writs. Us civilians don't have that bone. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    There is a separate coverage on most liability policies that is called "Medical Payments". Usually a small limit...maybe 5 or 10 thousand...but can be more.

    This is sometimes called goodwill coverage and it will indeed pay medical bills of someone who may have been injured on your premises, (possibly a friend or valued client) even though you were not at all negligent.

    This allows you to stay on friendly terms with the injured party as the insurance will respond without a suit being filed and without admitting further liability.

    After all, you would not want a friend or client running around with their writs broken ! :)

    See, insurance companies do have a heart ! It is immaterial that a small payment like this, along with a signed release, could also prevent a much more expensive lawsuit. Goodwill indeed, eh !! ;)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Hey, don't call me a legal expert here, I'm just a liarlawyer just trying to make a living...:):):)

    There usually (always the cop-out words, like usually) has to be negligence on the part of the owner, but there can also be exceptions...if you simply fall down on my concrete because you are clumsy, ain't my fault...but if I put Crisco on my porch to get rid of annoying Jehovah Witnesses, I could be liable...(p.s. no problem with practicing their religion, but I get very angry when they try and cram it down my throat, and that is what they do)...
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    And Crisco on the porch is what you do.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Old local joke, probably used other places..."How do you get a University of Georgia PhD candidate off your front porch???...pay for the pizza..........................................."
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Anybody want to help me guess what this repair would cost?

    (straighten dent, blend in paint, 1996 Miata)

    image
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    $450.00...The Price is Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...Come On Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yeah but I'm in california. I can barely get it washed for $450. You think?
  • jjgsjjgs Member Posts: 3
    new to this board but need some advice- pls help...
    I was in an accident in Jan09, it was a 2 lane street (1 way east bd/1 way west bd)
    There is a 53' trailer double parking on the wrong side of the street, as I try to pass thou the trailer but it suddenly move and backing up, I try to avoid the hit by going to my right but no room since there is car parking on the side. My car was hit on driver side rear door (deep) and rear quarter panel. My car was already 90% pass the container box, and got hit by the trailer back wheel. I had filed claim against the trailer driver insurance co. (country-wide) and the adjustor already check and quoted the price $4500 for the repair (my car is bmw 528 /2002).
    I just receive settlement from country-wide stated they are only responsible of 50% of the damage ($2250) since they said I am 50% at fault....They argue that their client mentioned the trailer already in motion and i try to go pass it when their backing up....I think it is total non-sense & if the trailer is indeed in motion of backing up, the damage of my car should be the front instead of the rear. Question is at this point, can i still negotiate with the insurance co? If so how...?? Or this is the offer I had to accept and take $$ out my pocket to cover the rest of the repair.....I tell them every single pieces of info i had i even draw them a diagram of what happen that day...but didnt seem to work in either way for them to reconsider the price.....Pls help.....
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I am neither a lawyer nor an insurance expert but it would seem to me that being parked on the wrong side of the road would place 100% of the responsibility on the other party.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    is correct, but I am wondering how the police reacted when they saw the scene...did they ticket anyone or at least assign fault from what they saw???...I know police reports are not the be-all and end-all, but if they saw obvious lawbreaking, then their report could carry some weight...no, they did not see who moved first, but a truck parked on the wrong side, and cited for it, might be one of those objective things that could be hard to argue or dispute...
  • jjgsjjgs Member Posts: 3
    Problem is when the police arrive the driver already back & move the trailer back to the lot (I try to stop him from moving but I am just a 5'4 Asian girl and they had a group of people from the whse come out and yelingl, I just stay in my car until police come) and police didn't see the original spot of the trailer and my insurance co told me the street had to have double solid line to consider 2 way road no one got ticket at the scene....police report is just base on my point of view and the other side point of view , not really say who fault
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Look at it this way. $2250 is the least they will pay. If you want the balance you will have to bring the trucking company, not the insurance company, to Justice Court, or otherwise known as Small Claims Court. You present your side to the judge and the trucking company presents its side. When you win, the insurance company will come up with whatever the judge says the amount should be. If you show up for the case and nobody is there to represent the trucking company, the judge could award you the balance of $2250 and the insurance company would have to come up with that. Court cost is worth the try, less than $100 I suspect.

    Tell the Judge, the driver moved the trailer after he backed into you so as to hide and conceal evidence of his being 100% at fault. Most laws require the backing vehicle to have the burden of safety and the driver should have been using his mirrors to notice you on the street. (What if that trailer had backed into a little kid on a bike, Country Wide would not offer only 50%, but pay all the damages)

    Good Luck to you.
  • fordfoolfordfool Member Posts: 240
    > I just receive settlement from country-wide stated they are only responsible of 50% of the damage ($2250) since they said I am 50% at fault....

    If you have collision insurance, let your own insurance company pay for the damage. Then it will be up to your insurance company to recover the cost from the trucking company.

    There is a good chance your company will recover any deductible costs that you paid. Insurance companies are much more reasonable with one another than they are with each other's customers. Good luck.
  • jjgsjjgs Member Posts: 3
    First thanks every comment & idea, much appreciated :)
    I do have collision coverage on my own, but i dont want to go to mine just in case my company can't recover the full amount from country-wide...it's pretty sure my insurance will go up afterward...not worth it.....
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    Maybe your insurance won't go up if the facts are as you say. You could at least discuss the situation with your company (without turning in a formal claim) and try to get a feel for what they think. Good luck.

    Another thing in your favor is that the truck left the scene of the accident. The police should have taken note of that.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Timidity never wins a battle!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Ok, it's time to renew my car insurance. '99 Quest worth $1k trade-in and '97 Outback worth $5k.

    Comp/collision at this point isn't too much money and Liberty Mutual is quoting me $530 for a year for both cars. 250/500 bodily, 50k property, 5k med, uninsured/underinsured 100/300. I lost my notes and forgot if the deductible is $250 or $500. Towing/road side included. I want a bit more coverage than the minimums, but I don't need a huge umbrella either.

    Next cheapest rate quote of the 8 I got online and by phone was another $152 a year from Travelers. I had a good experience with them last September when a Travelers' insured hit a rental car I was driving.

    So, my question is, why keep the comp/collision? It's nice being able to get a windshield replaced or chip fixed and I like towing since I don't do auto clubs (never had occasion to use it though). I rent cars 2 or 3 times a year, so I need that coverage (although my VISA card claims it'll cover me). If the Quest gets totaled tomorrow, I don't really care (so long as no one gets hurt). The Outback is worth a bit more, but buying a new car wouldn't kill my finances either.

    thanks,
    Steve, visiting host
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    OK, couple of things here. Does the $530. cover both cars or is it $530. each car? Also are you sure that is per year, as most (not all) auto ins is written for 6 months.

    The above questions are just because I want to make sure I understand all the facts.

    If the comp and collision for both cars for one year is a total of $530. which is the best case scenario from your perspective I think I would still be temped to drop the coverage. If it is actually costing more than that I would certainly drop it.

    It is simply a decision you have to make as to whether you are able and willing to stand the small loss that you might have in the first couple of years. After that you are home free.

    I am assuming that they are both paid for (no lien to satisfy) because of the age and that fact that Edmund's pays you guys so well !! :)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,740
    Well, my question is same as houdini. Are we understanding the cost correctly?

    If it is truly $530/yr for full coverage on both cars, then I'd keep them covered in a heartbeat.

    But, understand that I am used to NJ prices. I pay nearly that much for JUST my '93 Mazda pickup that I drive maybe 100 miles/yr with the absolute bare minimum of coverage!

    My total policy for that plus our 2 daily drivers is in the $1800 range.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yeah, I had to double-check with the agent too, but it's $530 for both cars for a year. I'm currently with AIG with similar coverage and they bumped me up to $372 for 6 months or $744 a year. Still cheap by New Jersey standards. :shades:

    I used to always drop comp/collision when my cars got to be worth about $5k, but it's really not all that much to keep the coverage and get the towing and rental and glass coverage. I don't have good notes on the breakout, but I would save a bit over $100 a year I think. And we're long overdue for an accident around here.

    No liens - when you drive cars into the ground for as long as I do, it's doable to just save up for your next one over a decade.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    If you are only saving $100. a year by dropping comp and collision, then I would keep the coverage.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    only worth $1000, but the Outback is worth $5000, it may be time to drop the coverage on the Quest...but if $100 covers both, and the Quest is only $50, then I would still spend $50 to cover something worth $1000, altho if your deductible is $500, the most payback would be $450 if my math is correct ($50 + $500 ded = $550, if vehicle worth $1000, payback would be $450, $1000-550=450)

    Quote; "250/500 bodily, 50k property, 5k med, uninsured/underinsured 100/300. I lost my notes and forgot if the deductible is $250 or $500"... Regardless of what you do with comp/coll, I would certainlt raise that $5K med, if you can and if it is affordable, to $50K or 100K...

    Remember, even in a clunker 1971 Chevy Nova, barely worth $50 on a good day, the injuries you can suffer can be very expensive, so $50K medpay is always a good thought IMO...remember, also, my opinions are based on my "fault" state of GA, how no-fault states do it may be different, it may be called PIP...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Thanks Houdini, Rob and Bob for your comments.

    Every online quote I got had the medpay here in Idaho maxed out at $5,000. We have great medical insurance but I would like my passengers to have some coverage if I run off the road going to the ski hill. I'll ask about the cost to bump that up in the morning.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The purpose of Insurance is to prevent a financial catastrophe. Therefore

    Carry high limits of Liability including an Umbrella (who wants their wages tapped forever to satisfy a claim?)

    Carry only Comprehensive with a $100 Deductible.

    Add up your Collision Deductible, Premium for Collision, and Salvage Value.
    You may be surprised to learn the above totals 50% of the Trade in value.

    As for Medical, buy as much as you can. Here in WA, you can get up to $35,000 PIP.
  • jhinscjhinsc Member Posts: 399
    Jus remember that if you have an accident with auto body damages that exceed the actual cash value of the car, you will only receive the cash value, not a repaired car. A little fender bender could "total" your older car.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    at states (or companies) that limit medpay to $5K...I have $100K on my policy, and, after seeing some of my cases with heavy duty meds after an accident, it reinforces my opinion why I stubbornly tell everyone to max out their medpay, simply because, you MAY need it, and the chances of a wreck with meds over $5-10K are quite high...2 days in the hospital, couple of scans, orthopedic and neuro MDs visits, then maybe 2 months (not a lot, really) of chiro or physical therapy, and hitting $10K in meds is quite simple...or, one rotator cuff surgery (from the seatbelt on your shoulder) or some plastic surgery (from scarring from the airbag) and you again break $10K in meds...

    And, for those who use the "I have health insurance" line, with so many losing their jobs they lose their insurance...so, while they may easily handle the occasional routine doctor visit, they cannot handle the trauma treatment required from an auto accident...so, since the liklihood of injury in a trauma like a car wreck ( much higher than falling off a roof, as you first must go up onto the roof to start with, and few of us do that), it (medpay) is the best form "limited health insurance" that could apply in the circumstance we encounter most...the auto accident, regardless of whose fault it is...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Where does the rental reimbursement, car rental coverage and towing usually show up in coverage - comprehensive or collision? Or separate "riders"?

    Jhinsc, a sledgehammer could total the van with about three swings. :D It's one of those deals where's it not worth anything but it still runs and drives pretty good and I'm sure if the drivetrain holds up (and that famous Nissan VQ engine probably will), it'll be running for another 5 or more years.

    Bob, my wife took early retirement from one career just to get the health insurance. So we're covered there (she's doubled covered at the moment with a primary and secondary policy). I'm sure we've received medical benefits totalling over $100k over the last two or three years with very outlay on our part. So, I'm guessing medpay would be of more benefit to our occasional passengers.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Once again, based on my GA experience...

    Towing: separate rider
    Car rental coverage: separate rider (for YOU to rent a car...for the guy that you hit, it is part of your liability coverage, the mandatory part of 100/200/50...it is part of the "50". property damage...for you to have 30 days of rental, the rider is usually $25 yearly +/-...)
    Rental reimbursement: same as car rental coverage...???
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Where does the rental reimbursement, car rental coverage and towing usually show up in coverage - comprehensive or collision? Or separate "riders"?

    Depends on the insurance company. Many charge a separate premium for Towing and Road Service, but only if you buy at least Comprehensive.

    Look into AAA of Idaho & see what they will do for you.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    AAA's lobbying politics don't agree with mine. I'm more in tune with the Better World Club. But that's another discussion. :shades:

    Thanks for the info!

    Steve, visiting host
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Understand, but they do have an insurance option, however the policies are in Green ink. ;)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The "riders" are included with the comprehensive so I kept that with a $100 deductible. I dropped collision on the van but decided to keep it on the Subaru for another 6 months with a high deductible and bug y'all again then, lol.

    Bob, I was able to bump medpay to $25k but no more with this company with my other limits. The agent said he never gets a request to bump it from the usual $5k here. (Actually I get the feeling that $0 is common here). And it is medpay, not PIP (I think we had that in AK).

    Final bill is $279.50 for six months.

    We saving 10% with an alumni discount and the Subaru gets a break for being driven under 7,500 miles annually. The passive and active alarms and ABS on both vehicles may have factored in a little too. And they are garaged.

    Thanks again for everyone's help.

    Steve, visiting host
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    If I could get all my clients and potential clients to just have $25K instead of a mere $5K or ZeroK, I would be one happy camper lawyer...while one never knows if the Big One will strike (a concrete truck loaded, driver fails to stop driving down a hill), $25K will probably cover 80-90% of most soft tissue injury wrecks...go with the $25K if the premium is affordable (and, of course, if the premium is NOT affordable, how affordable will the treatment be if you need it but cannot pay for it???...NO PROBLEM!!!...the other half of my practice is BANKRUPTCY...My slogan ought to be...Injured, but can't pay???...Either way we've got you covered...man, what a hoot!!!...
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    OK, so I should move to Idaho where apparently insurance is a tiny fraction of what we pay here in NJ and then when I hit somebodt I'll move to Georgia to declare bankruptcy. Got it.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Good idea...you just have to live here for 6 months for GA residency to take effect...what a country!!!
Sign In or Register to comment.