Just got hit, first ever "major" accident. What to do next?
 

We're ok. Taking the s/o to urgent care right now since she's feeling a tad of back pain, just in case. Called cops, got police report, and opposing driver was cited. Already called insurance company (USAA), but they told me I could either call the opposing driver's insurance (car registered/insured under someone else, with Traveller's insurance) to file the claim or I could file with USAA. I have a relatively low deductible ($300), but if I go through the other person's insurance I shouldn't have any out of pocket expenses, correct?

I assume I need to get Traveller's to pay diminished value as well? I'd rather they total it so we don't need to worry, as car is still financed. This is the first time that I've been in an accident that was more than a ding or minor fender bender. A bit depressed about the e39, but it definitely protected us. We were in the right lane, going speed limit (45mph), and he pretty much just came out of nowhere...

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMAG0585.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMAG0589.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMAG0593.jpg

Wow. Where was this? Was the other driver drunk? What was his excuse?

Insurance follows the vehicle in AZ, so you'd better hope whoever owns the car didn't let their policy lapse (as happened to me). The driver's insurance will be secondary coverage.

Man What a shock to have someone just drive into you like that! Glad to hear that you and the Mrs are OK, hope she feels better soon.
Bummer about the Bimmer, I've got one very like it, and would hate to lose it.
I guess I'll say it so others don't have to. That will buff right out. Really does look repairable. Can understand why you have doubts.

Good luck with it Jeff
Richard

If you were not at fault, surely you wont have to pay a deductabale? Don't you just leave it to your insurance company go after the other car's insurance company?

Glad you are okay so far.

Do not subrogate your claim to the other driver's insurance. Yes, you'll be out of pocket for your deductible until the other insured pays, but you now have your insurance company making sure you are satisfied - you get the car repaired where you want, how you want. The other insurance company is motivated to do this as quickly and cheaply as possible. Further, do not sign any release. As Zeke about delayed injury.

Example: My wife was hit by another car. My insurance (State Farm) allows me to go to any shop, so I go to the Volvo authorized repair place with a lifetime warranty. The other insurance company wants us to go to their "preferred" repair place that uses non-OEM parts.

Good luck.

Sorry to see this. I'm glad you're all OK.

always report to your ins. co. - just to protect yourself

Good luck - often pain, soreness, stiffness will present for several days or longer after an accident -- be especially wary of a headache that shows up later - if that happens go to the ER right away

Jeff, that looks like a pretty hard hit...Glad to hear that it seems to be no serious injury. I agree with the above...might be best to get your insurance Co. involved...

Do get a copy of the police report if you can.

Thank goodness you all are relatively alright. Get her checked out. The rest of it is just stuff. Phew!

This is correct. If the fault is the other guy, you will not pay a deductible. You will have enough problems, let the insurance companys take care of this. This is why you pay them.

Thanks guys, will have USAA deal with it. So far at the urgent care everything checks out, getting x-rays done just in case.

Cop was super cool, told us they call the right lane the "suicide" lane. Said he'll finish the report tonight, and it'll be on their website shortly. He mentioned he smelled beer breath on the other guy but he didn't exhibit enough signs to warrant a dui check; guy admitted he had a few beers during the game. He was, however, missing his right eye, and not from the accident. He even told the cop he was trying to make a right turn...yeah right.

Rick - We were on Union Hills heading west, guy pulled out of 42nd ave into us.

I am glad everyone is O.K.
I thought they had to administer a field sobriety test if there is an accident and alcohol is involved?

hmm, not sure. Cop said his speech wasn't slurring, nor were his movements abnormal/out of sync. He was a big guy, probably 6'4" or so, so perhaps the cop decided his BAC wasn't high enough. I wonder if that's on the police report, will have to see when it's ready.

Going through the claims process with USAA now, do I authorize them to take it to their "preferred" shop for the inspection, or do I have them come to me (had AAA tow it back to the house) and do the inspection in my driveway? If the car was to be fixed, then I expect it to be at a certified BMW collision repair facility, so do I just tell the inspector I want it done by the BMW dealer?

I'm just hoping we don't come out screwed on this...a blemish on the carfax, and taking a big loss when it's time to sell.

Tell USAA to come to you and let you pick the shop. We did this in a recent bump that the at fault had USAA. They came and checked the vehicle out on a job site we were at, wrote a very fair estimate and we had a check a few days later, no muss no fuss.

Go w/ USAA. We have them and last Sept had a sideswipe incident. They took care of everything, went to their recommended shop and didn't even need an adjuster to come out.

God luck.

Jeff:

Glad you are OK. Not sure about in AZ, but in Oregon all medical expenses (massage, chiropractor, etc.) are billed to your auto insurance, then they go after the other driver's insurance. That's for the first year.

I know this because I got rear ended in my Land Rover (which fared amazingly well, vs. the Jeep that needed a LOT of work) and fortunately the guy who hit me fessed up that it was his fault.

One other thing- after an appraisal of the damage, I was sent a check for the amount and supplied with a rental whilst my LR was being fixed.

It's a PITA but hopefully it'll go smoothly for you.

Cheers,

Paul.

Astounding. In any sort of accident round here where police attend, all drivers are going to get bagged, regardless of "fault".

However, the police may have done you a favour. It may be that if the other driver blew over, his insurance would be voided- leaving you/your company to persue him personally/civilly.

based on your photos, that car wont be totalled.

Insurance is NOT voided if the driver is dui. It is not voided if they are stupid, on drugs, drunk, etc. If the insurance was valid at the time of the accident, then it is not voided due to the driver's fault/negligence, etc.

Thank heavens... This is the only thing that protects the other driver.

angela

i doubt that car is totaled. It does not look like much force was transmitted to the main structure at all. The dent it the rim is cause for concern but I have done that going over a pothole.

Find the shop you want to do them work and have them contact USAA with your signed papers. This way USAA will deal with the shop, Demand OEM parts only. There are lots of reproduction parts out there and they fit like crap. We've also had paint failures on non-oem bumpers.