I accidentally hit a car with no visible damage. What should I do?
The question is how sure are you that there are no damages?There are certain types of damages that go unnoticed after an accident. It is definitely possible that the car suffered some internal damages. Damages like leaks, computer diagnostic problems, and alignment issues are some of the most common unnoticed results of a minor car accident. It may seem like these are insignificant damages but it can lead to serious problems.So if you hit a car and there are no visible damages, it is still best to stop and exchange information with the owner or driver of the other car. If the driver or owner is not there, then write down your contact information with your license and insurance numbers and leave it on the other car's windshield. It's also advisable if you take photos and write notes about the incident in case a claim will be filed in the future.Also, If you think that it is better to not report it to your insurance company, then that's a mistake. You are required by your insurance policy to report all accidents—no matter how major or minor it is.If you are still uncertain, then it would be best if you consult with a car accident lawyer. And you can also read the What to Do After a Car Accident article on our blog.Take care and drive safely!
Whats the worst car accident....?
My first semester of college, I was riding my bike down a hill and was hit by a pickup truck that ignored the stop sign coming out of a parking lot. I dented the hood of the truck with my head, and to this day I am thankful that I was wearing a helmet. I got a moderate concussion, fractured the wrist I landed on, screwed up one of my ankles and knees (they still have problems), and got bruised up pretty badly... I got off easy. Usually the cyclist has more damage than the truck, but I caused a fair amount of body work to be done... My bike didn't survive quite as well... the front tire was bent in half, the brakes were completely shot, and the frame is still warped. Amazingly, it's still mostly functional... or at least, it is after I put the money into fixing it. The guy paid my medical bills and was kind enough to drive me to the hospital after it happened. He's one of my better friends, now... weird way to meet someone, really.
Car wont start after accident?
Does it have fuel injection? Many petrol injection cars have a safety cutoff switch that's operated by being shocked, its job is to turn the fuel pump off because fuel injection cars have a much more powerful pump than cars with a carburettor - the last thing you need in an accident is a petrol fountain under the bonnet. These switches can be located in various places such as under the carpet at the back of the car or elsewhere - they have a pop-out button that needs to be pressed back in. Some Fords had problems with these being so sensitive that slamming the tailgate would operate the cut off switch. Other than that you should look for any components that may have been damaged.
How a car insurance works? minor car accident?
If you have 'full coverage' insurance, you report the accident to your insurance company. They will pay to fix it (minus your deductible), and they will go to her insurance company to get reimbursed. You can also go to her insurance company and get them to pay the deductible. You aren't required to report a 'fender-bender' in a parking lot to the police. You're only required if it's over a certain amount of money, or if someone was seriously injured. And even then I don't think it's necessary if it was on private property. Your insurance company, though, might have requirements for reporting minor accidents, especially if you plan to make a claim. If the accident was her fault, you won't be dinged. You won't get a point on your license (she probably won't either) and your insurance rates won't go up. Most accidents, though, are judged to be shared fault, in which case your insurance company takes care of you and her company takes care of her. It might take three or four days to fix your car. Your insurance company might cover a rental car during that time (and get the money from her company). If you have full coverage (i.e. collision and comprehensive), call your insurance company and tell them you had an accident and you'd like to file a claim. There's an 800 number right on your proof-of-insurance card, or on their website. They will connect you with an adjuster. Insurance adjusters are really great--they answer all your questions, they are non-judgemental, they are usually very easy to talk to. If you don't have collision and comp, call HER insurance company and tell them the same thing. Good luck! Oh, one more thing. If she gave you her phone number, insurance info, etc. she will have a very hard time insisting the accident never happened. Why else would she give you that information?
Can you still trade in a car with slight damage?
The value of any car depends on the physical and mechanical condition of the vehicle, and the supply of and demand for that model! Seeing as your car has some damage, you will get less for it that you would if it was in perfect condition, but it still has value. The question is do you owe money on the vehicle, and if so, how much? You may owe more than the car is worth, and if that is the case, it would be better to keep it and pay the loan down, Trading in a car that is "upside down", meaning that you owe more than the current value, means that you either have to finance the balance on top of the price of the new car, or pay the difference. Neither choice is a good one. Good luck and congrats on the little one!!
Car Accident - I don't want this car anymore?
California has third party diminished value claims statutes. The best way to pressure an insurance company into totaling a car is by making a that claim. Basically you are claiming that the car is not worth what it was before because of the impact. Would you want to pay the fair market value if you new there were $20,000 worth of repairs done to it? Probably not. Usually insurance companies do not like to deal with this type of claim. Vist: http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/car-totaled.html for more information about how to document a claim. One word thing to consider is this: you do have very nice vehicle (by that I mean expensive). The insurance company will try to fix it... (with used parts).... if you let them. Try making this Diminished Value Claim and see what comes out. Oh yeah, one more thing. You can only make this claim against HER insurance. You cannot make it against your own carrier because the statute only allows you to make it against Negligent Third Parties. Good Luck.