Insurance Help
#11
This entire situation could have been avoided for as low as $30: DASH CAMERA!
Insurance companies are asshole(even yours). They may have "sweet speaking" reps but they want to gouge you as much as ****ing possible. Stay on their ass and stay on the case. Make sure they speak with the witness. Go back to the scene and see if there are any restaurants,traffic cams,etc. in the area that may have recorded the incident. If they keep pushing that it's your fault go see a lawyer. Do not sign anything. Do not give them money for anything.
After this has been resolved go buy a decent dash cam, preferably front and rear. Always make sure it's recording. Good luck.
Insurance companies are asshole(even yours). They may have "sweet speaking" reps but they want to gouge you as much as ****ing possible. Stay on their ass and stay on the case. Make sure they speak with the witness. Go back to the scene and see if there are any restaurants,traffic cams,etc. in the area that may have recorded the incident. If they keep pushing that it's your fault go see a lawyer. Do not sign anything. Do not give them money for anything.
After this has been resolved go buy a decent dash cam, preferably front and rear. Always make sure it's recording. Good luck.
#12
I also just realized I have a police report receipt. It includes a brief description of the accident and it says that the kid came around, lost control, and struck my vehicle. I have picture evidence of the rear of my car being damaged. And also a picture of the tracks of each car and it clearly shows we were both traveling in the same direction and lane. This seems like a simple rear-end accident. You guys think I can make a case with what I have? I mean the insurance wants the words of the police officer, the pr receipt clearly says the kid struck my car because he lost control.
#13
File a Claim
Regardless of the information available, I would definitely file a claim with your insurance company. If the damages to your S are high enough to total the car, you will want both your insurance company's appraisal in addition to the other driver's insurance. I purchased my S after my RX8 was totaled in an accident. Fault was not in question, but the other driver's insurance company calculated the "value" of my car differently than my insurance company. The difference was about $1700. Needless to say, I accepted my insurance company's settlement.
#17
UPDATE: So I ended up taking the driver to court. Without giving out too many details, I won the case and was awarded the money for the damages caused to my car. It took 5 minutes to explain my situation to the judge and he ruled it in my favor. So it's all good now. Btw, I'm looking for a replacement s2k now!
#19
Cool. Good for you.
Was this small claims court? There is a damage award limit, right? Was it enough to cover your losses?
Any tips you can share about small claims court experience?
Mine is make triple sure you bring duplicate copies of each and every receipt for anything you are claiming. When the judge asks for a receipt, hand him his copy of the whole pile of them, not just the one he asking about now. Otherwise you might miss your chance to talk about the other losses, and you'll miss your chance to get those other receipts considered in your award. What you claim in damages in your filing doesn't matter, only the receipts you give judge in court do.
Was this small claims court? There is a damage award limit, right? Was it enough to cover your losses?
Any tips you can share about small claims court experience?
Mine is make triple sure you bring duplicate copies of each and every receipt for anything you are claiming. When the judge asks for a receipt, hand him his copy of the whole pile of them, not just the one he asking about now. Otherwise you might miss your chance to talk about the other losses, and you'll miss your chance to get those other receipts considered in your award. What you claim in damages in your filing doesn't matter, only the receipts you give judge in court do.
#20
Cool. Good for you.
Was this small claims court? There is a damage award limit, right? Was it enough to cover your losses?
Any tips you can share about small claims court experience?
Mine is make triple sure you bring duplicate copies of each and every receipt for anything you are claiming. When the judge asks for a receipt, hand him his copy of the whole pile of them, not just the one he asking about now. Otherwise you might miss your chance to talk about the other losses, and you'll miss your chance to get those other receipts considered in your award. What you claim in damages in your filing doesn't matter, only the receipts you give judge in court do.
Was this small claims court? There is a damage award limit, right? Was it enough to cover your losses?
Any tips you can share about small claims court experience?
Mine is make triple sure you bring duplicate copies of each and every receipt for anything you are claiming. When the judge asks for a receipt, hand him his copy of the whole pile of them, not just the one he asking about now. Otherwise you might miss your chance to talk about the other losses, and you'll miss your chance to get those other receipts considered in your award. What you claim in damages in your filing doesn't matter, only the receipts you give judge in court do.
What you said about the copies is dead on. I made sure I brought copies for everyone involved. Respect to the judge and humbleness goes a long way too. And make sure to bring receipts, every single thing you can think of counting because the judge may award you on some costs and nothing on others.