Whats important and whats not

Keye · 04-04-2008, 04:33 PM

We just had one of those experiences which remind you whats important and whats not. Our son left for work, he is an RN at the local hospital, in his Honda Civic and arrived at the hospital emergency room in an ambulance strapped to a back board.

A tractor trailer ran a red light and hit him in the front passenger side of the car. The other driver was given a ticket. The passenger side and the whole front end are about 2 feet high. Witnesses said the truck never even touched his brakes before he hit the car. One wheel of the truck ended up about 12 inches from my sons head. The police said the truck had to have going at least 50 mph.

After about 4 hours, x-rays and CAT scans my son walked out of the hospital. He feels about like you would expect but to say we are all thankfull would be a major understatement. The police, the witnesses and my friend who towed the car all say they can not believe he walked away from this.

When I started this post I had not intended to ask a question but maybe some of you have experience which will help us to decide how to handle this. We have State Farm and I can go through them for the replacement for the car or let the other insurance company, Aequicap (?) handle it all. Even if we use State Farm for the car, medical bills and anything else will have to be handled through Aequicap. I just wonder if State Farm might be a little easier to deal with since they are going to go after Aequicap to recoup their money. Would I be out of line to expect the other insurance company to pay some, not a lot, to make up for all we are going to go through because of this?

nelsone · 04-04-2008, 04:43 PM

Wow, glad he is ok from that ordeal! As for the insurance, I would recommend you talk with your agent and get their take on it.

TracyP · 04-04-2008, 05:02 PM

Glad your son is ok, I see the results of such collisions every day and some people are not that lucky.

skeeter · 04-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Sounds like a real miracle that your son walked away. That is great.

State Farm policy is that when it pays a claim of $1400. or more, your rate will go up. Contact them for guidance before doing anything else, that or a lawyer!!

RayH · 04-04-2008, 05:11 PM

Sure glad your son is okay. Too often, that's not the case. Good luck with your insurance dealings.

Mike Davis · 04-04-2008, 05:14 PM

Before you talk to the insurance company talk to a lawyer. Your son may have undiagnosed injuries that will show up later, by accepting the insurance money you may be letting them off the hook for any further reimbursement. The other drivers insurance should be responsible for all damages.

I'm not a lawyer but I have been (twisted) by one.

cpowell · 04-04-2008, 05:17 PM

I am glad to hear your son is up and at em. That's the best news possible.

As for insurance, phone your agent. Based on a similar experience I believe the other company will handle everything.

The car repair/replacement issue should be fairly straightforward. Since the other driver is at fault the other insurance company should be willing to reach a satisfactory agreement. It may be a struggle to get things done as quickly as you would like. Most insurance companies don't like to pay claims.

I would personally wait a little while on the medical side, just to make sure there are no further issues. A large truck has a lot of momentum and energy. The jolt would have been substantial.

Chuck

Will Goodwin · 04-04-2008, 05:25 PM

I agree with Mike, consult a lawyer, but when it comes time to deal with State Farm, they are very nice to work with in my experience. You said that the driver ran a red light and didn't even hit his brakes when he hit your son, so State Farm shouldn't have to pay you a dime out of their own pocket... they will go after the other insurance company on your behalf. We had a couple of guys rear-end us at a stop light once. Never been in any other accident, so I don't have any other company to compare it to, but we have State Farm and they did things quickly and we were very happy. I am glad your son is ok (relatively speaking ... probably feels like he got hit by a truck... oh wait he did). Sorry some might think that was distasteful, but I'm trying to lighten the mood. I really am glad your son made it out of that situation!

Will

Ray Martin · 04-04-2008, 05:45 PM

I'm really happy that your son walked away. As others said, that is the most important thing. Your insurance company is the one who should go after the others, on your behalf... that's one of the things you've been paying for through your premiums. As far as rates going up or other bills and problems, I don't think a single penny should be coming out of your pocket. That should be on the truck driver and his company and their insurance company. OK... I'll stop venting now...

Ray

Trent Mason · 04-04-2008, 05:58 PM

Keye,

You all are very fortunate that your son made it through that ordeal. As for the insurance, I studied NC insurance law in school, but that was quite a while ago. I'm not really familiar with SC law. If I remember correctly, NC was a "no-fault" state. That means that your insurance company would pay out, no matter who was at fault. However, the motorist that was at fault would get points on their license/insurance. This may have changed now though, that was 8 years ago. I would consult a lawyer first, just so you know you have your facts straight. I'm not saying file a lawsuit, but a lawyer will be able to advise you on what direction to take. I have a few friends that are lawyers that I could refer you to in NC, but SC is probably a completely different ball game. I hope you get it worked out and I am VERY thankful that your news wasn't for the worse. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Trent

DaveO · 04-04-2008, 06:04 PM

Dang, I am glad that your son is OK. I was scared from the first mention of a backboard. He is very lucky, that doesn't sound like a situation that most would walk away from.
You still have your son, and that is what's important. The car and insurance stuff, not important right now. It will work out, and if it doesn't you still have something much more valuable.

Dave

alleng · 04-04-2008, 06:09 PM

glad to hear your son is ok! from my experiences,i wouldnt be suprised if a lawyer/ambulance chacer dosent contact you in a day or so

toolferone · 04-04-2008, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by alleng

i wouldnt be suprised if a lawyer/ambulance chaser dosent contact you in a day or so

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I AM GLAD HE IS OKAY!

I had a pretty bad run in with a lawyer (who was on my side) on an accident that was not my fault. I would have been better off dealing with their insurance company myself. I agree don't be to fast to settle.

Gotcha6 · 04-04-2008, 06:31 PM

Problems that can be solved with money are not problems - just inconveniences. Ask someone who has problems money CAN'T solve and see if this isn't so. I'm glad your son just had inconveniences in this incident. Don't worry, your son will probably get several solicitations in the mail from attorneys. They get the accident reports as soon as they are filed in most cases. If your son is an RN he should know about symptoms to look for with underlying damages. Hope it all turns out well.

JimmyC · 04-04-2008, 06:37 PM

Keye,

First and foremost, thank God that your son is safe.

I have had an accident where it wasn't my fault ($6,700 in damage) and I had State Farm as my insurance company. If you have full coverage (comp & collision) you can file through State Farm and they will give you all repairs minus the deductible. Your rates will not go up if you weren't at fault, and you will get your deductible back when they settle with the other insurance company.

I know that he walked away, but keep an eye on him, sometimes injuries show up after the shock to the body wears off and it could take a couple days. Good luck and God bless.

Jimmy

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