Auto Insurance Claims: bike vs car accident, ambulance billing, bicycle repair

Question
My 90 year old father was riding his bike attempting to cross the street and was hit by a young driver several weeks ago She knocked him over and he was transported by ambulance to the hospital and was kept overnight.  Fortunately, he has no broken bones but is certainly scraped and banged up on many parts of his 90 year old body, as well as his bicycle needing repairs.  This occurred in California.  The driver recently moved here from either Michigan or Minnesota. Her car insurance, AAA, has not contacted us, we still don't know how to contact them although the officer did give us her name and policy #. The responding police officer stated it was the drivers fault. (We have applied for a copy of the police report with the insurance information we need but it is still unavailable) I believe in Michigan, there is no fault insurance only, we don't know about Minnesota. My father in law is on Medicare, we don't know about the hospital & ambulance billing yet, I imagine the cost of his care is in the neighborhood of $25000 (if Medicare does not pay)since he was taken to emergency, had quite a few tests and x rays were taken, he was kept overnight for observation and released late the following day.  He has also been treated by a massage therapist for the pain he was experiencing. This in addition to his bicycle repair and doctors visits for follow-up.  I basically have 2 questions, 1. In regards to the no fault issue, since she is now a California resident, isn't she required to update her insurance to California standards as of the date of residency?  2. What type of settlement can we expect and what is the best way to approach the insurance company when we do hear from them or are able to contact them?  I understand we will have to wait until we receive all the billing etc connected to the accident to get any settlement.  We really don't want to sue or anything but do want to know how to get the money deserved to him, his only income is social security so he does not have a lot of money. His daily living expenses take all he has.
Thanks for your help Richard,
Richard

Answer
Hi Richard,

I hope your grandfather is doing ok.

Medicare will initially pay the medical expenses but may demand reimbursement from the proceeds of any settlement received.

AAA also does business in California. You should look for a local claim number. They should be able to direct you to the correct office to handle your claim. Do not worry about the "no-fault" situation as it does not apply in this situation at all. You will need the name, address and phone number of the at-fault party before you call AAA. You will need to waite to get a copy of the police report.

To help you in determining the value of the claim, there is a website you & your grandfather should visit. It's www.collisionwizard.com . It is produced by the Better Business Bureau Video Series. There is a small fee to register to use it. I think $19.95. It will allow you to enter all of the accident information, medical treatment and costs and it will prove a claim value range. The system will also help you create letter to the insurance company etc.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh