minor car crash involved a pregnant woman in the other car

by Guest » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:44 am
Guest

I'm from Southern California. Last month I got involved in a car accident. It all happened with me driving down a wide one lane street. I slowed down my speed and intended to make a right turn, all of a sudden, a car from behind me sped up and tried to drive pass me just as I was making my turn. My front right corner bumper ended up scratching the side of passenger side doors (front and back). My insurance companied already determined I'm 100% at fault because I didn't put on my signal (the only one time I actually forgot) and I was in the middle of the lane as I was making my turn instead of being more toward the right. I just do not understand how someone could drive pass you from you right in a one lane street. I regretted for not filing a police record at the scene because everything just becomes more complicated now.

But anyway, my insurance company already paid $1,331.02 for Property Damage and now they are dealing with the bodily injury. It was just a minor crash, but all three people in the other car are claiming they are injured due to the accident. But they were fine the whole time we were at the scene. My claim representative told me they already got an attorney to represent them. I don't understand why though. Their car has only some scratches and small dents. The thing I really worry about is that, they got a 4 months pregnant woman sitting in the passenger seat. Everyone was fine as we stayed at the scene to exchange information and taking pictures for a good half an hour. She even told me she is having complication with current pregnancy. I don't know if she is going to make it seems like its my fault that she is having complication which she found out prior to the accident.

This is my first time getting involved in such a complicated car accident. I have been depressed ever since that day. I was even having trouble going to sleep at night. I got scared of driving and thinking I will get into another crash again. Does anyone know what will happen to me in a case like this. Will the other party sue me if that lady had a miscarriage or her pregnancy just got worst? What will happen if their attorney wants to claim more than my bodily injury limit? Do I have to pay the difference out of my pocket? I have progressive insurance.

Please help. pretty please... T___T

Total Comments: 8

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:58 am Post Subject:

Your insurance company will discuss/fight/deal/argue (etc) the bodily injury settlement with the people in the other car. If they decide to sue you, your insurance company should represent you - however, if the case ends in judgement against you - and it is for more than the coverage on your policy, then you may have a problem. It is possible that their lawyer will sue for the max bodily injury on your policy thinking that the insurance company will be more than willing to pay that. If it is more than what your policy pays, then it will take a while to get the money from you.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but...this could take a while. Especially if it does go to court. I wouldn't talk to any of the other parties involved - refer all questions, etc to your claims adjuster.

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 03:52 am Post Subject:

Thank you Lifeisgood for your prompt reply. So this is just going to get more worse, especially they got an attorney to represent them. It does seem like they want to get the most out of this. What do you think how much they're going to ask for or most they would settle with?

I'm sorry. This really bothers me. T_T

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:39 am Post Subject:

Homie, try and relax....first you did tell your adjuster that the girl said she was already having a troubled pregnancy right? if not call your adjuster NOW...what is your BI limit? sounds like there will be no danger of an excess judgement even if there is trouble...many many people run to an attorney before they go to the doctor....which is telling in and of it's self...you have a pretty bull dog company when it comes to bi settlements and not being intimidated....your company will NOT settle anything with these people without a release if they want more than the policy limits (doubt seriously this is a limits case though)...your carrier will force them into sueing you and your carrier will provide a defense attorney at their cost....

It's my understanding that in CA most everyone gets atty rep'd so not a big surprise there...sounds like a low impact accident...

Let us know your limits...stay in contact with your adjuster for updates...and of course NEVER EVER talk with these people (as the prior poster pointed out)...

I know it's upsetting but this happens every day....and truly the chances of an excess judgement are slim to none....(in over 20 years as an adjuster I've seen two...)...

hang in there.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 04:56 pm Post Subject: insurance

There are ALOT of people, I know, that forget to put on their turn signals. If you were slowing down, don't you think that would be some kind of hint that the OTHER car had to slow down, too? If a car, who was slowing down in front of ME, I would slow down, too....REGUARDLESS of a signal light. The 'pregnancy thing.' Was just wondering...did someone SAY she was ALEADY having some trouble, in her pregnancy? Did you say it was the Insurance adjuster, GUEST? Hey..LIFE IS GOOD...I haven't been on the forum in a while..so...I just wanted to say hello.

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 05:03 pm Post Subject:

Thanks SDFan..I'm new and really liking it here. Get some insight and idea-exchange with others in the biz.

Not to mention the enjoyable banter that is usual with forums (I love message boards/forums..lol).

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 01:54 pm Post Subject: insurance

ALOT of people, on this forum, 'know' me...just from the forum, that is. I get alot of insight, as well. I enjoy talking to people.

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:11 am Post Subject: injury claim

does anyone know if you can sue a bank that holds a mortgage on a business......i went to a restaurant and the owner had a crawl space open and didnt tell me and i didn't see it and i fell 8 ft through the crawl space opening and have injured my back and neck, the owner of the restaurant had cancelled his insurance 6 months prior to my accident there as the restaurant was for sale, can i hold the bank liable for lost income etc????

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 04:44 am Post Subject:

I don't think the bank can be sued for this. you can think of filing a case on the owner of the restaurant for a compensation for your injury on his property.

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