I was stopped looking to merge onto the main road when I was rear ended. Damage looks to have flaked some paint higher up on the car and a scratch down low. My car is an older 2002 Toyota Camry with 190k miles. In good condition I would say.
I decided to got I the ER since after an hour I was feeling sore in my neck and shoulder on one side.
What’s the best way to go about fixing the car damage and getting my ER bill paid for? Call their insurance? Speak with a lawyer?
I have them on video admitting they hit my car as well. The hit was in a parking lot and the police said they would not come out because of that.
I have his insurance information and well as number and license plate.
Someone rear ended today at about 10-15 MPH while I was stopped. Advice?
byu/SwankSinatra504 inInsurance
Posted by SwankSinatra504
3 Comments
Just paint damage.. and a scratch? I’d avoid making a collision claim if possible. If you have a high premium already you’d be silly to make a claim, and may likely pay back whatever $ you get here in premium increases. Realistically how much do you think they could possibly pay for in repairs without totaling it? Labor probably costs more than any part
As for medical, if you live in a no fault state, you can get treatment up to some amount of $. It sounds like your injury may not be that long lasting or serious but only time will tell. Any attorney will take something around 25-45% of your entire settlement which is a lot. In my own opinion – I wouldn’t seek a lawyer for a seemingly small injury like this that will probably disappear in less than a week. If pain persists for more than that, you might have something like a tear which will not heal on its own. If this is the case then I would think about reaching out to an attorney. Insurance companies do typically settle for a small amount for small injuries pretty easily like in your case. If it turns out you need surgery, a lawyer would be most helpful in coordinating that. This seems like a perfect case where you can negotiate your own settlement by reaching out to them, especially because there is clear liability. Do not accept any offer until you’re done with treatment. You deserve to be made whole. If that means just one ER visit (hopefully!) or 3 weeks of PT or surgery, it is what it is – but settle after that.
Implement evasive maneuvers next time
Put in a insurance claim and let them deal with damages and injuries. I was at a pedestrian cross walk stopped in passenger seat and slightly turned and hit at about 30 km/r. I didn’t feel sore until I got back into car as I stiffened u it got worse. Damages looked minimal but it was a truck with bush bumper hitting a Chev Cavalier. Took car in to get fixed and sure enough the shock absorbers had to be fixed on top of the bumper and then my injuries.