Almost got in an accident. Need Advice

[LowchevyII]

So today I almost got into an accident. A guy pulled across 3 lanes of traffic in front of me, so I slam on my brakes from about 35 mph and swerve to avoid him. In doing so, I popped up on the center median. Once stopped, the other driver got out and asked if I was ok and all that jazz. I quickly checked over the car and it seemed ok (there was no collision thank god). I was still in a bit of shock and with traffic quickly backing up we both got in our cars and went on out way. It was only after I began to drive did I calm down enough to realize I should have probably got his information. I did however take down his license plate. I also realized though no physical damage can be observed my alignment is potentially screwed. Being that I didnt make a claim at the scene nor get his information, am I out of luck when I more than likely find out there is damage I didnt catch and or need an alignment? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Rick D]

Sorry buy I would say You are out of luck. You can call your agent and see what they say, but at this point it would be your word against his/hers. With no damage it's hard to prove he did anything.

[Stuart Adams]

Elaborate on potentialy screwed alignment.

[Shmoov69]

His insurance (and probably him for that matter) wouldn't believe you anyway because there are so many crooks out there trying to get something for nothing.
So I would say you're SOL!
Glad nobody was hurt tho!!

[James OLC]

From my experience, "almost being in an accident" won't get you anywhere with your insurance company. IF you called them now they would, at best, call it a single vehicle accident with you being 100% at fault. It's sad to say that you are ultimately better off (from an insurance POV) to get hit by the idiot than to drive off the road to avoid being hit...

[Phaeton]

Count your blessings, lick your wounds, learn from it and move on. Unfortunately we live in a crazy world. Control what you can and survive the rest.

[214Chevy]

As everyone else stated, "almost" isnt' good enough. Unfortunate, but that's why driving is a "defense", hence the term defensive driving and the stupid class. Also, that's the reason for the part of a person's insurance called comp and collision. On behalf of his insurance, from a liability standpoint, you cannot be compensated if there wasn't a collision. Now, there is one option you can do, which I strongly advise against, and that's claiming the damages under your uninsured/underinsured motorists. I advise against this because you will have to pay your deductible and make a claim on your policy which may increase your premium. The only time you don't have to pay your deductible for uninsured/underinsured claims is if it's a non-moving claim. Such as when someone hits your bumper while parked in a parking lot, etc. But, if it's a moving claim, like your were driving, then there's where money applies.

[kennyd]

From my experience, "almost being in an accident" won't get you anywhere with your insurance company. IF you called them now they would, at best, call it a single vehicle accident with you being 100% at fault. It's sad to say that you are ultimately better off (from an insurance POV) to get hit by the idiot than to drive off the road to avoid being hit...



i agree

[Flash68]

If you can add up enough actual costs/damages, a Personal Injury attorney is your only real option. They are used to going after insurance companies and could squeeze some money out of them possibly.

[kennyd]

there was NO accident ! you did not hit him . yes he caused you to hit a curb by not hitting him BUT still in a insurance co mind NO accident .

[DRJDVM's '69]

Unless you have some serious structural damage.... Get the car re-aligned... Count your blessings and move on

[Flash68]

there was NO accident ! you did not hit him . yes he caused you to hit a curb by not hitting him BUT still in a insurance co mind NO accident .

He can also consider tapping into his own UIM coverage. A police report must be filed though in order to take any of these insurance related actions.

No I am not an insurance agent or attorney, but neither are any of you :lol: and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[GregWeld]

Yep -- Kinda like the girl at the bar you almost got with.... It just doesn't count. :lol:

[HWY Nova]

there was NO accident ! you did not hit him . yes he caused you to hit a curb by not hitting him BUT still in a insurance co mind NO accident .

I hear what Mr. Kenny D (and he's had his share of "accidents") is saying, but lately there seems to be a lot of non-contact accidents in the news, etc. Just do a Google/Yahoo search on non-contact accidents and see what comes up.


--Eric

[Ummgawa]

If you didn't crap your pants and your car drives straight down the road, you've done good. Drive on.

[Stuart Adams]

Yep -- Kinda like the girl at the bar you almost got with.... It just doesn't count. :lol:

Damn your funny.

Glad your not hurt, I agree, count your blessings. Metal and rubber are easy to fix.

[LowchevyII]

Well guys, thank you very much for the insight and confirming my thoughts on having to realign my car out of pocket. I sure am thankful that nothing worse came of it with bodily injury or something along those lines. Almost only counts in horseshoes. Just unfortunate that I have to pay out of pocket. Being a broke college student sometimes sucks hahah. The last time I didnt realize my car was out of alignment it cost me two brand new tires.

Like i said thanks again for the kind and insightful words. Love this community.

Also love the analogy Greg!:thumbsup:

[Ummgawa]

Just short of having an unfortunate "slip and fall" at the local Discount Tire and telling them to check your alignment and you'll call it even, do the string thing. Measure from the center of the fronts and backs of your front tires. If they are the same measurements, you are good.