Thursday
Sep032009
The best of a bad situation
Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 09:45AM
As you know, I was in a car accident a couple weeks ago. It was awful as all accidents are, but nobody was hurt and I know how much worse it could have been. If it had to happen, I'm incredibly grateful for the way it did.
The first thing I thought when the collision happened was, Holy shit! And the second thing I thought was, I have no fucking clue what to do when you're in an accident. Apparently I swear a lot in my head post-accident. Which is not surprising as a I swear a lot in my head all the time.
Anyway, I had no idea what to do. But it was amazing because so many things took care of themselves, and everyone was really nice and helpful. Here's how it went down:
- There were several people already on the scene because apparently there was another accident at the same intersection moments earlier. They all made sure I was ok.
- There was a police officer on the scene also, thanks to the previous accident, and he let me know he had called for another officer to handle my accident.
- The second officer took my license, insurance and registration, asked me what happened and dealt with sorting the ordeal out. I didn't have to talk to anyone else until I was ready.
- I didn't get a ticket because even though it was technically my fault, I think everyone realized it was a common mistake gone wrong. Plus I was honest and polite to everyone I talked to, which I think really helped.
- A tow truck showed up. I guess he was just driving by. But he helped me understand what would happen to my car if it was towed, who I needed to call, what I needed to do, etc. He was a little obnoxious but also very helpful.
- I called my sister and her fiancé who helped me move all my stuff from my car to theirs and then drove me to their place.
- When I approached the woman (and her daughter) from the other car, they were very nice, considering. Scared, yes, but also nice. I was glad for that.
- My car was towed away and I didn't have to think about it until the next day.
- The next day I called my insurance lady. She helped me find an auto body shop near my house, and helped me understand the process for filing a claim, getting my car fixed, etc.
- The body shop went to the tow yard and got my car so they can bill it as part of the claim to the insurance company. They have also kept in touch with me throughout the process so I know what's going on.
- My insurance covers $20 per day for a rental car up to a certain amount, and everything is billed directly if I go through Enterprise, which I did. So all I had to do was call Enterprise, give them my claim number, then show up and get my rental car (a no-frills Kia Rio). I have unlimited mileage and the spending limit should last most of the time it takes to fix my car.
- When my spending limit on the rental is reached, the body shop said they can give me a loaner to get me through.
- The repair estimate was expensive, over $6,000, but with my insurance I hope to only pay the deductible.
- The body shop, insurance company and rental company all talk to each other, which minimizes the amount of phone calls I had to make and the number of times I had to explain my situation.
So far things have been amazingly smooth, and I keep thinking about how fortunate I am. I know auto accidents can be devastating, and even without any injuries the logistics of if all can be overwhelming. Plus, without full coverage insurance, I'd be so screwed right now. I really am SO thankful for how this whole thing has gone, from beginning to end.
Well maybe not end, not yet at least. I have yet to see what my claims adjuster does to my insurance premium post-accident. Even though I wasn't issued a citation, the claim states that I did not have the right of way. So yeah, I'm scared.
Anyway, there's that. Thank you Universe for helping me out!
The first thing I thought when the collision happened was, Holy shit! And the second thing I thought was, I have no fucking clue what to do when you're in an accident. Apparently I swear a lot in my head post-accident. Which is not surprising as a I swear a lot in my head all the time.
Anyway, I had no idea what to do. But it was amazing because so many things took care of themselves, and everyone was really nice and helpful. Here's how it went down:
- There were several people already on the scene because apparently there was another accident at the same intersection moments earlier. They all made sure I was ok.
- There was a police officer on the scene also, thanks to the previous accident, and he let me know he had called for another officer to handle my accident.
- The second officer took my license, insurance and registration, asked me what happened and dealt with sorting the ordeal out. I didn't have to talk to anyone else until I was ready.
- I didn't get a ticket because even though it was technically my fault, I think everyone realized it was a common mistake gone wrong. Plus I was honest and polite to everyone I talked to, which I think really helped.
- A tow truck showed up. I guess he was just driving by. But he helped me understand what would happen to my car if it was towed, who I needed to call, what I needed to do, etc. He was a little obnoxious but also very helpful.
- I called my sister and her fiancé who helped me move all my stuff from my car to theirs and then drove me to their place.
- When I approached the woman (and her daughter) from the other car, they were very nice, considering. Scared, yes, but also nice. I was glad for that.
- My car was towed away and I didn't have to think about it until the next day.
- The next day I called my insurance lady. She helped me find an auto body shop near my house, and helped me understand the process for filing a claim, getting my car fixed, etc.
- The body shop went to the tow yard and got my car so they can bill it as part of the claim to the insurance company. They have also kept in touch with me throughout the process so I know what's going on.
- My insurance covers $20 per day for a rental car up to a certain amount, and everything is billed directly if I go through Enterprise, which I did. So all I had to do was call Enterprise, give them my claim number, then show up and get my rental car (a no-frills Kia Rio). I have unlimited mileage and the spending limit should last most of the time it takes to fix my car.
- When my spending limit on the rental is reached, the body shop said they can give me a loaner to get me through.
- The repair estimate was expensive, over $6,000, but with my insurance I hope to only pay the deductible.
- The body shop, insurance company and rental company all talk to each other, which minimizes the amount of phone calls I had to make and the number of times I had to explain my situation.
So far things have been amazingly smooth, and I keep thinking about how fortunate I am. I know auto accidents can be devastating, and even without any injuries the logistics of if all can be overwhelming. Plus, without full coverage insurance, I'd be so screwed right now. I really am SO thankful for how this whole thing has gone, from beginning to end.
Well maybe not end, not yet at least. I have yet to see what my claims adjuster does to my insurance premium post-accident. Even though I wasn't issued a citation, the claim states that I did not have the right of way. So yeah, I'm scared.
Anyway, there's that. Thank you Universe for helping me out!
in Just stuff
Just stuff
Reader Comments (5)
That really is the best of a bad situation. I'm glad everything is getting taken care of swiftly and easily.
Accidents are SO scary, no matter how well they turn out in the end. (So! glad everyone, and everything, is OK.)
I am impressed with how well things are going for you!
I was in a really bad accident a few years ago that totaled my car. It wasn't my fault (luckily) but the other driver kept claiming that I was driving "so fast". Because she was a turd - the whole process took forever because her insurance company tried to fight it.
In the end - I won because I was in the right (she was parked facing the wrong way on the side of the road so when she pulled out, she didn't see me driving down the street).
Best of luck on the insurance! Mine didn't go up since I wasn't at fault so I can't help you there.
Let's dwell a minute on the part where you didn't get hurt. Thank god you didn't get hurt.
I'm glad you're okay.
Unfortunately, I've been in a few accidents - I tend to be the target of people - and am quite familiar with car repairs of this nature. Make sure that your repairs are guaranteed. Once you've got the car back, take the work up paperwork and your car to a mechanic that you trust. Have him do a once over of your car. Also, any other work you do on the car subsequent to it being returned to you, keep documentation. That way if there is an issue with a repair due to the accident, you can prove that no one else has done anything to that area of the vehicle.
If you have any questions about the process, email me. I'll be glad to share my knowledge.