So I was in an accident today.....

by **bste_lax** on Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:18 pm

....nothing super major and both seem fine. Driving to work today, little rain starting up. I been following this old truck for about 2 blocks, I remember this as YODA is written on the back of it and a picture of him along with some other bumper stickers. Going about 40 or so and I glanced to the side for all of a second, maybe second and a half, when I turn my eyes forward, the truck is on its brakes harder then normal. I slam on my brakes and nail the back of it, my guess is I was going 20 (more then likely 25). The truck wasn't at full stop but on it's way. We both pull over and get out. Like I said, the truck is older so can't really tell what damage is done to it as it is a little beaten up (tape over a portion of one of the lights, after switching info, it's a 1975 Toyota truck) but based on her reaction, doesn't look like anything major has happened or new to it. We both had never been in an accident but we switch information and take that down. I call my dad to see what else I need to do and she calls her parents. Both of our parents say we should probably call cops to get an accident report. She calls and they tell her they won't come out because it is not a major accident nor is anyone hurt. Well, this is where the fun begins. I know it was my fault, I hit her. But she starts spouting about how her car won't start now (me rear-ending her, wouldn't you think if any car couldn't start, it would be mine?), how she is suddenly becoming dizzy and how she might go to the doctor. It's funny how none of this is said until after she gets off the phone with her parents. She also says she is a production assistant and her big project that was suppose to be done today doesn't look like today. Like I don't work either and I was an hour late today.

Hopefully she doesn't pull anything and our insurance handles everything.

**Sponsor**

by **Tim Whitehead** on Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:16 pm

Either way, you got her phone number, so you're in the door! Go for it!

by **DanGenck** on Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:52 pm

Seriously. Take her out for a fish sandwich and everything will be cool.

by **Hugh Nunn** on Mon Feb 21, 2005 11:13 pm

He said "Fish Sandwich."

hehehe

by **benji** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:30 am

Sucks about the wreck, but you are in some ways lucky. Went to visit the gf's parents this weekend and hit a TUMBLEWEED the size of my car. A tumbleweed! ... West Texas at its best. It was like revenge of the old western movies.

by **bste_lax** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:24 pm

So I just got a message from my insurance that she has some sort of "soft tissue" injury. This is becoming fun.

by **Sonny** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:26 pm

Glad to hear you are OK Matty B. Dealing with insurance stuff, post accident, is not fun at all.

by **bste_lax** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:34 pm

So just got off the phone with my insurance. She claims she hit her head on the back window of her pick-up truck and got a concussion. She did NOT make any mention of this to me during our 20-30 minutes we switched information and figured out what was going on. She also waited til AFTER I had left to call a friend who then called an ambulance to take her to UCLA to get checked out. This is funny since when we tried to call the cops for an accident report, they said they wouldn't come out unless something major happened or if someone needed an ambulance.

by **ZagGrad** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:57 pm

Just a heads up, but if this thing goes to court or your insurance becomes more involved, ask to see medical records for the treatment of the concussion (I'm sure your insurance will). If she did hit her head hard enough, the doctor should have made a note about a bruise, bump, or contusion on the back of her head. What kind of truck was this? No headrests? Sounds like she's trying to get some green out of this. That sucks...

by **CSUalum32** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:24 pm

bste_lax,
i am a claims adjuster for State Farm. depending on the coverages you have on your policy, you should be okay. the adjuster that works your claim, if turned in will ask for any medical treatments, bills ect. generally the attending physician is questioned in regards to the accident. by only going 20-25 mph, there would be insufficient force to provide a serious injury. if in fact the claim handler finds the services that were rendered for the accident were not absolute and necessary to help imporve the condition then they company will not pay out. example, she goes to a chiropractor for a sore neck, they wont believe that. so dont worry even if she tries to pull a fast one over you, an investigation will be conducted to find what treatments should be paid for. the more she claims is wrong, the harder the investigation.

on a side not, generally with these small claims like yours where it is a fender bender, a third party is less likely to sue. granted negligence and liability for the accident is yours, with smaller payouts it becomes a hassle and is generally not worth pursuing suit. if all else fails, if you have liability coverage it will pay for the damage done to the truck plus the medical bills that have been accumulated by the injured party. i really hope that made some sort of sense. Good Luck.

by **bste_lax** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:35 pm

Well, it sounds like I have enough coverage to cover the damage to her truck and the fee from the doctor and the cost of the ambulance to come out. I am just hoping she doesn't try to do anything more. Like you said, I doubt she will since it's pretty small fender bender but you never know with people these days.

Thanks for the insight though.

by **CSUalum32** on Tue Feb 22, 2005 6:40 pm

bste_lax wrote:Well, it sounds like I have enough coverage to cover the damage to her truck and the fee from the doctor and the cost of the ambulance to come out. I am just hoping she doesn't try to do anything more. Like you said, I doubt she will since it's pretty small fender bender but you never know with people these days.

Thanks for the insight though.

hey not a problem, if you run into any other questions, i would be willing to try and help. good luck!