Last Wednesday Bailey and I were stopped at a red light in Chattanooga when we were rear ended by an uninsured motorist.
The police rendered her car undrivable at the scene and her insurance company rendered the car totaled.
Physically, both of us are fine, so please don't worry.
Emotionally it was tough as this was her first car, a high school graduation present. She felt safe in that car and had planned on keeping it for at least ten years.
The uninsured driver told police that he took his eyes on the road for a moment. We believe he was on his cell phone as it was in his lap when his door was opened.
Bailey has had auto insurance through our local insurance company from the first day she owned the car. Driving without insurance is not an option in our home.
Having full coverage/uninsured motorists coverage, when you have a newer car that you couldn't replace financially, is the responsible thing to do to protect yourself.
Bailey has already replaced her car with the check she received from her insurance company.
This was a huge shock to both of us, but we are still counting our blessings.
At least it was the rear and not the front and no one was injured physically. Insurance even though we complain about paying for it is a wonderful thing. ;-)
I am so very sorry this happened. ((Bailey)). The police, BTW, can contact the uninsured motorist's cell phone company and determine whether or not he was on the phone when the crash happened. Hopefully, Bailey's ins. won't jump as a result, totally NOT her fault. What kind of a replacement car did she get? My own DD was T boned by a woman who ran a light from a condo complex into a 4 lane main thoroughfare. DD was OK, again, car totaled. Not a new car but it was a new to her car. We were able to get her a replacement, used Honda Civic (the car she had also was one), and she "financed" the balance between the insurance check and the cost of the replacement car, through what I call "the bank of Mom"-0% interest, steady monthly payment of $200 until paid off. She paid it off in full, as she had the prior car, also financed thru the bank of Mom. : )
Thank you, Carol. I was thinking that too about the cell phone records. I hope her insurance does not increase, I was wondering about that too. I'm glad you were able to replace your dds car.
She really liked her car, a Ford Fiesta, so she replaced it with another Ford Fiesta. The Insurance check covered all but $2500, so the bank of grandma stepped in interest free.
Yes, I agree Chery. We've not seen the accident report yet, but I'm hoping it will let us know a little about what happened to him. He didn't even speak to us or ask us if we were OK.
I'm so happy to hear that you both are ok. I know how it feels emotionally after a car accident, even when you are physically ok. Though Bailey was not at fault, get a copy of the police report. Sometimes people can find ways to sue you even after they did the wrong thing.
Thank goodness no one was hurt. But poor Bailey, especially since it was her first car. I imagine accidents like this happen more often than we realize, especially since the onset of cell phones and the fact that people just can't put them down. Hope she loves her new car and has great luck with it.
Thankful you are both alright and safe! We are also residents of TN. My son was recently in an accident with an uninsured motorist. The person lost control of their vehicle causing damage all down the driver's side of his suv to the tune of almost $6,000 damage. When we discussed this with our agent they explained the process in TN regarding uninsured motorists. You know your insurer will go after the repair costs from the other driver, but were you aware the state will also bring the driver up on charges? They may face misdemeanor charges and the loss of their license. I am thankful TN has stepped up their punishment, but sure wish it was a requirement to show proof of insurance before issuing/renewing a driver's license.
Wanted to add our insurer (Farm Bureau) assured us his rates would not go up as the accident was not his fault. The other driver received 2 traffic violations, as reported in the police report.
I'm so sorry this happened to the two of you. But I am relieved that you are both fine. I hope that the insurance check was enough to cover the cost of Bailey's replacement car. I hate it when bad things happen to good people, just doesn't seem fair.
I am so sorry. I am so glad you both were not hurt. My heart hurts for Bailey losing her first car that she took great pride in. Fight the insurance company if they try to raise her rates. This was not her fault. She has a good driving record, good student and responsible. She should not be punished because somebody irresponsible and negligent ran into her. I am so mad at the guy for not even checking if you were ok. I will be mad for you. :) Bank Grandma's are the best.
thank goodness you are both okay. I am heart broken for Bailey though...so sad someone was looking at their phone, rear ended you like that.... -- please take care -
I'm so sorry to hear that. Treat yourselves kindly because although it's been a few days and you feel okay, soft-tissue injuries can take up to a week to manifest. Or so I was told by the doctor who X-rayed me a day after a car accident, when I realized I couldn't raise my right arm.
Hope the police follow up, because if it turns out he was using his cellphone he needs to pay a big fine and/or go to jail. The next person he hits might not be as lucky.
When my niece had just moved up to Alaska after high school graduation, we gave her my car so she could commute to work and to college. A month or so before school started, she was hit by an uninsured drunk driver. The car was fit for nothing but the scrap heap; it was a miracle that she wasn't hurt more than the bruises and aches she received.
Glad your dd was ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl.
DeleteAt least it was the rear and not the front and no one was injured physically.
ReplyDeleteInsurance even though we complain about paying for it is a wonderful thing. ;-)
I agree completely, Sluggy. Insurance is so necessary.
DeleteI am so very sorry this happened. ((Bailey)). The police, BTW, can contact the uninsured motorist's cell phone company and determine whether or not he was on the phone when the crash happened. Hopefully, Bailey's ins. won't jump as a result, totally NOT her fault. What kind of a replacement car did she get? My own DD was T boned by a woman who ran a light from a condo complex into a 4 lane main thoroughfare. DD was OK, again, car totaled. Not a new car but it was a new to her car. We were able to get her a replacement, used Honda Civic (the car she had also was one), and she "financed" the balance between the insurance check and the cost of the replacement car, through what I call "the bank of Mom"-0% interest, steady monthly payment of $200 until paid off. She paid it off in full, as she had the prior car, also financed thru the bank of Mom. : )
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol. I was thinking that too about the cell phone records. I hope her insurance does not increase, I was wondering about that too. I'm glad you were able to replace your dds car.
DeleteShe really liked her car, a Ford Fiesta, so she replaced it with another Ford Fiesta. The Insurance check covered all but $2500, so the bank of grandma stepped in interest free.
So glad you are all ok - but what a shame on the car.
ReplyDeleteDriving without insurance is against the law - that person should be in trouble!
Yes, I agree Chery. We've not seen the accident report yet, but I'm hoping it will let us know a little about what happened to him. He didn't even speak to us or ask us if we were OK.
DeleteI am so sorry for your daughter. Here it is supposed to be illegal to drive with no insurance, but it happens all the time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne.
DeleteSo glad you both are okay. Sorry that you both had to go through a scary accident and Bailey's car was totaled.
ReplyDeleteJanie
Thank you, Janie. That means a lot to me.
DeleteI'm so happy to hear that you both are ok. I know how it feels emotionally after a car accident, even when you are physically ok.
ReplyDeleteThough Bailey was not at fault, get a copy of the police report. Sometimes people can find ways to sue you even after they did the wrong thing.
Wow Nil, I never thought of that. That would be awful. We will definitely get a copy of the report.
DeleteSo sorry to her of her loss and glad that you are all ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Amy.
DeleteThankful for your safety but sorry for fright and loss. That Bailey already has a replacement vehicle must ease concern.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does, Anna. Thank you.
DeleteThank goodness no one was hurt. But poor Bailey, especially since it was her first car. I imagine accidents like this happen more often than we realize, especially since the onset of cell phones and the fact that people just can't put them down. Hope she loves her new car and has great luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lou. I appreciate that. :)
DeleteThankful you are both alright and safe! We are also residents of TN. My son was recently in an accident with an uninsured motorist. The person lost control of their vehicle causing damage all down the driver's side of his suv to the tune of almost $6,000 damage. When we discussed this with our agent they explained the process in TN regarding uninsured motorists. You know your insurer will go after the repair costs from the other driver, but were you aware the state will also bring the driver up on charges? They may face misdemeanor charges and the loss of their license. I am thankful TN has stepped up their punishment, but sure wish it was a requirement to show proof of insurance before issuing/renewing a driver's license.
ReplyDeleteWanted to add our insurer (Farm Bureau) assured us his rates would not go up as the accident was not his fault. The other driver received 2 traffic violations, as reported in the police report.
DeleteI'm so sorry this happened to the two of you. But I am relieved that you are both fine. I hope that the insurance check was enough to cover the cost of Bailey's replacement car. I hate it when bad things happen to good people, just doesn't seem fair.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I am so glad you both were not hurt. My heart hurts for Bailey losing her first car that she took great pride in. Fight the insurance company if they try to raise her rates. This was not her fault. She has a good driving record, good student and responsible. She should not be punished because somebody irresponsible and negligent ran into her. I am so mad at the guy for not even checking if you were ok. I will be mad for you. :) Bank Grandma's are the best.
ReplyDeletethank goodness you are both okay. I am heart broken for Bailey though...so sad someone was looking at their phone, rear ended you like that.... -- please take care -
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that. Treat yourselves kindly because although it's been a few days and you feel okay, soft-tissue injuries can take up to a week to manifest. Or so I was told by the doctor who X-rayed me a day after a car accident, when I realized I couldn't raise my right arm.
ReplyDeleteHope the police follow up, because if it turns out he was using his cellphone he needs to pay a big fine and/or go to jail. The next person he hits might not be as lucky.
When my niece had just moved up to Alaska after high school graduation, we gave her my car so she could commute to work and to college. A month or so before school started, she was hit by an uninsured drunk driver. The car was fit for nothing but the scrap heap; it was a miracle that she wasn't hurt more than the bruises and aches she received.