QuestionHello Richard,
About a month ago, I rear ended a vehicle and that vehicle hit the car in front of it. There were a total of 3 vehicles (including mine) involved in the accident, which occurred in California. When we pulled over after the accident, all drivers agreed that we did not want to get our insurance companies involved and we did not call the police either. I agreed to fix both vehicles, but what I've come to find out now is that I am not responsible for the damages to the car that was hit by the car that I directly hit, even though I was at fault. I've heard that because there are distance requirements that must be kept between cars, it is not my fault that the car I hit, hit the car in front of it, therefore I am not liable for damages to that car.
Question: Can you please confirm whether or not this is true?
To date, I fixed the vehicle that I directly hit without getting my insurance involved. I was going to fix the 3rd car involved in the accident, but the driver is asking for repairs that I cannot afford. I told him that I can repair the damaged bumper, but he asked that I replace the damaged bumper with a new one. Then he said he was going to go through our insurance companies since we cannot come to an agreement.
Questions: Will my insurance cover his vehicle since I did not hit it directly? And, are there any repercussions for me since the driver of the 3rd vehicle will now make an insurance claim over a month later and there is not police report for accident?
I appreciate any information or advice you can offer me!
Thank you,
jessica
AnswerHi Jessica,
No this is not true. You are responsible for all of that damage that resulted from you rear ending the first car and pussing that car into the next one. If the car with the damaged rear bumper is more than 1 year old or has more than 12000 miles on the odometer then you can try to negotiate what kind of part you will pay for. If the car is less than 1 year old or has over 12000 miles then you have to pay for a new original bumper. The is the same thing your insurance company will go by. You can go to a body shop and ask them to give you a price on the following;
New bumper
Used / salvage bumper
Re-manufactured bumper
Aftermarket bumper
The forst 3 are actually original manufacturer bumpers. The aftermarket bumper is made by a company other than the vehicles manufacturer.
Among all of the above you should be able to negotiate a reasonable agreement.
If you do not reach an agreement and he files with your insurance company, it will be considered an at-fault event. They will pay the claim but at renewal they will raise your premiums for the next 3 years. If this happens you should also put in the claim for the first car to get reimbursed what you paid out of pocket. This will have no greater affect on your premium.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
