What should I do if I got into a car accident yesterday?
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What should I do if I got into a car accident yesterday?
The person who was at fault hit me at the traffic light. My car has damages. We agreed to handle all repairs without police (now I regret). I took a picture of their insurance policy, plate number, have the driver’s cell# (insurance policy is under different name). I reported to his insurance and started a claim. At fault person didn’t respond yet to the insurance. I called him and he said that insurance didn’t contact him; called the police after accident to make a report, they said it’s too late. Should I just wait on the insurance to handle it? Can I drive my car or need to wait for the estimate first? What if the driver will nor respond to his insurance at all? What would be my next step? Go to the local court?
Asked on October 27, 2013 under Accident Law, Connecticut
Answers:
Anne Brady / Law Office of Anne Brady
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
If you have not already, you need to report this accident to your own insurance company. They should be willing to go to bat for you with the at-fault driver's insurance because if the at-fault driver's insurance doesn't pay, your uninsured motorist coverage will kick in, and your insurer will have to go after the other insurance to get reimbursed. You can drive your car so long as it is safe to do so. You may eventually need to sue the person who was at fault, but first give the insurance companies a crack at sorting it out.
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