Any advice for aftera car accident?

[EricaLubarsky]

I just totalled my car-- an old guy turned a left 10 feet in front of me or so and I just plowed into his minivan. The police checked the skidding, and talked to witnesses and ticketed the other driver for "failure to yield" so I'm pretty sure that the other driver will be faulted.

Any advice for feeling better? getting rid of all these pains? Dealing with the insurance? I'm just honestly really out of it, even 2 hours afterwards and Im not sure what I should do.

[MavKikiNYC]

Don't post anything here that could be used against you in court.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky


Any advice for feeling better? getting rid of all these pains?

If you're feeling any pains at all from the wreck, you need to see a doctor

Dealing with the insurance?

I'm sure you got his insurance information. Just give them a call and you should have no problem getting a rental car. If it's totaled, you should check around online to get an idea of how much your car 'was' worth.

I'm just honestly really out of it, even 2 hours afterwards and Im not sure what I should do.

If you're physically okay, usually the worst thing about a wreck is that most people owe more than what their vehicle is worth. I hope that's not the case for you.

[Ninkobei]

ack EL ;( I don't have much to suggest, but Lost repeat is on. its probably better than sitting around doing nothing

[Drbio]

Talk to an attorney..but first make sure that you are ok.

[mavsman55]

Old people are such bad drivers. I know a lot of them are probably still with it, but so many innocent people have been hurt or killed because of old people who aren't aware enough to be driving have unlimited privileges.

My 2nd cousin was paralyzed last year on his motorcycle because a 92-year old man pulled out in front of him on the freeway. I'm sure there are several senior citizens who are fully capable of safe driving, but new driver's tests need to be reissued at a certain age, or something to that extent.

[grndmstr_c]

Bummer. Never had to deal with it myself so I'm probably not worth much for advice, but I hope everything turns out okay.

[sike]

so sorry to hear...but glad you are "ok"....listen to these guys...go to a doc to get checked out...then, if you so desire...see a lawyer...but the doc is a must!

[Murphy3]

...obtain a copy of a police report.

[EricaLubarsky]

thanks everyone. I am "okay" if you can call it that-- now that I'm down from my adrenaline I feel awful with all sorts of sprains and bruises but they did give me hydrocodone which is helping a lot. I went to the ER and got checked out. Other than being embarassing it was very helpful.

I talked with my dad and he helped me with the rest-- the police report wasnt yet written but I got the report number and called my insurance company. I should be okay on that front since the other guy made a left right in front of me and I have a witness who saw him do it and would vouch for me that I didnt have time to stop.

I appreciate the info on getting the bluebook on my car. I luckily owned it in full even if it was a '92.

Anyway, lots of pain but lots of love for the DM board.

[Evilmav2]

Dang... I just saw this thread, EL, and I'm darned sorry to hear what happened. If that guy illegally turned left in front of you in the right lane (while going in the same direction as I understand it?), it sure as heck sounds like the accident is completely his fault, and hopefully any accident report or insurance agent's written surmise will surely reflect that. And as far as any accident-related advice is concerned... Lots of other folks have offered you far better advice on this thread than this, but I'd say its always a good idea to have a camera (digital, disposable, camera-phone, etc... ) somewhere on your person or in your car, just so you (I know this is obvious) will be able to document the physical circumstances of any accident that you might potentially be involved with.

I very much hope you are OK today, and again, I'm darned sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident.

[EricaLubarsky]

The other guy was actually heading the other direction and was trying to turn into a store on my right, so he turned left about 25 feet in front of me while I was going 40mph so I basically t-boned him because I didnt have any time to stop.

Anyway, I am still amazed at how much carnage there was and how relatively unharmed I am. The front of my car is about half its size and when they picked it up to tow it, my engine fell out the bottom. The accident was HUGE and somehow we both got away with minor injuries. I won't even miss work tomorrow although I probably could get the sympathy.

The police here also took a lot of pictures of the scene and told me that they would be available with the report. Basically the witnesses, and the skid-marks corroberate my story that the guy turned right in front of me. The other driver said that I had changed lanes at the gap in the median and swerved into oncoming traffic (him) but the skids from my brakes were in my lane and after the collision jumped in the direction that he was going (my right). Police took pictures of the skids as well.

I guess Im probably in good shape legally as long as the insurance company doesnt try to short me, I was just so scared I was bawling for quite a while.

Edit: also my car is supposed to be 1,600 trade-in and 3,800$ retail according to blue book now. Anyone know what the insurance company will give me? That is a HUGE difference. I can't get anything decent for 1,600 here.

[mary]

Definitely go to the doctor if you haven't been. If any lawsuit comes of this, its best to have as much documentation as possible. Keep a file. Also, write down in detail the events of the car wreck. You may not remember them so clearly two years down the road (no pun intended).

My 2nd cousin was paralyzed last year on his motorcycle because a 92-year old man pulled out in front of him on the freeway. I'm sure there are several senior citizens who are fully capable of safe driving, but new driver's tests need to be reissued at a certain age, or something to that extent.

Mavsman, just out of curiosity, does your cousin work at UTA by any chance?

[dirt_dobber]

Wow E.L. I glad your OK.

Don't take the insurances first offer for your car. Tell them you would like to think the offer
over and get back to them. If they are way off in their offer go to the web and find as many
cars that are similar to yours and print them out. They won't raise their offer much, maybe only
a couple of hundred but it is worth trying.

.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky
thanks everyone. I am "okay" if you can call it that-- now that I'm down from my adrenaline I feel awful with all sorts of sprains and bruises but they did give me hydrocodone which is helping a lot. I went to the ER and got checked out. Other than being embarassing it was very helpful.

I talked with my dad and he helped me with the rest-- the police report wasnt yet written but I got the report number and called my insurance company. I should be okay on that front since the other guy made a left right in front of me and I have a witness who saw him do it and would vouch for me that I didnt have time to stop.

I appreciate the info on getting the bluebook on my car. I luckily owned it in full even if it was a '92.

Anyway, lots of pain but lots of love for the DM board.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Another thing...don't contact your insurance company if the accident wasn't your fault. I contacted my insurance company after a car hit me from behind at a stoplight a couple of years back... As soon as I called my agent, he said "don't tell us, ...you don't want us to even know about it".

[Big Boy Laroux]

right, murph. everything needs to go through his insurance company if the police report indicates it was his fault. He has insurance, I assume?

wow, the other driver said you came onto him in oncoming traffic? wow... what brings someone to lie in that situation? Despicable.

[MavsN06]

Wow sorry to hear this. The guys on this board is showing you alot a love...says alot about you. Glad your OK. Just a quick comment about the insurance. If your insurance is notified it will/can affect your premium...which sux.

[Five-ofan]

If he got a ticket and you didnt then you are safe as far as liability for the accident. You didnt even get a failure to control speed ticket? That means it is DEFINITELY his fault. Almost everyone involved in a wreck gets a failure to control speed ticket. What drives people to lie there is fear. Glad to hear you are OK. As trite as it sounds that really is the most important thing. The insurance company SHOULD give you retail. Depends on the company though.

[mavsman55]

Originally posted by: mary
Definitely go to the doctor if you haven't been. If any lawsuit comes of this, its best to have as much documentation as possible. Keep a file. Also, write down in detail the events of the car wreck. You may not remember them so clearly two years down the road (no pun intended).

Mavsman, just out of curiosity, does your cousin work at UTA by any chance?

I'm sorry Mary, I can't say I'm even sure what UTA is. He lives in New Jersey, if that means anything.

[mary]

Originally posted by: mavsman55

I'm sorry Mary, I can't say I'm even sure what UTA is. He lives in New Jersey, if that means anything.

UTA = University of Texas at Arlington.

Its just a weird coincidence then. I know an elderly man that pulled out in front of someone on a motorcycle last year. Must be a common occurence.

[Murphy3]

Yep, I know someone that died last month when an elderly man pulled out in front of her while she was on her bike