Just got in a car accident

[millertime150]

My brother just got into a minor car accident. Everyone is ok so that is good.

Basically here is what happened. A younger man (early 20s) thought my brother had passed him and pulled out too early and clipped my brothers rear door and bumper area. The young man was driving his work van. They exchanged insurance information and went on there their way. The young man knew and stated he was at fault.

Two mistakes can think of. My brother didn't call the police and didn't take pictures (even though he has an Iphone).

How can my brother report the accident to the others guy insurance?

Will they still pay without a police report?

What if the other guy denies that it was his fault?

I luckily have only had one accident in my life and I was parked at a stop light and someone it me. They didn't have insurance or a license and I had to use my uninsured motorist insurance. I did call the police despite the other persons attempts at convincing me otherwise.

 

[Austin]

I would suggest that your brother contact his insurance and make a claim. His insurance will will advise him how to handle it correctly. Most times the insurance will take a statement, other drivers information and they will handle it. Good luck.

 

[Gafer]

I would suggest that your brother contact his insurance and make a claim. His insurance will will advise him how to handle it correctly. Most times the insurance will take a statement, other drivers information and they will handle it. Good luck.

Yep. If you have a good insurance company they'll go after the guy for you! A few years ago my wife got hit by a guy that left the scene. She managed to get a license plate number and our insurance hunted the guy down for us! No police report, no witnesses, no nothing but in the end we paid zilch for the repairs.

 

[millertime150]

So my brothers insurance needs to be involved even though he was not at fault? Wouldn't it be the guy that hit my brother's insurance company instead?

 

[azra3l]

yes, but your brothers insurance company will be the ones to make a claim from the other persons insurance AFAIK. i am pretty sure it shouldnt affect his no claims bonus tho.

 

[millertime150]

yes, but your brothers insurance company will be the ones to make a claim from the other persons insurance AFAIK. i am pretty sure it shouldnt affect his no claims bonus tho.

Ok so my brother doesn't have to work with this guys insurance company. It is my brothers insurance company that will do the work.

 

[_JP_]

It depends on the insurance company, they all have their ways. The only way to go about it is for him to call call his insurance and get the claims process started. They will tell him what he needs to do.

 

[Mycon]

First he needs to call his own company and make sure that they know what happened. Then they will usually tell you to call the other guy's company and get a claim going. From there the other company should handle everything. This is what happened for me the accident before last
Though we probably should have, we didn't call the police because the damage wasn't severe.

Where things really get funky, is if he wants to make an injury claim along with the damages. Then you need to find out if you are in a "No Fault" state and file a medical expenses claim with your own company if you are (something that none of them will likely tell you.) After that they will file what's called a subrogation against the other company to recover their costs for your treatment.

Good luck to your brother! Car accidents suck big time.

 

[millertime150]

Thank you everyone for your help. He called his insurance povider and they took all the info and will call him back on monday.

 

[82R100]

Bear in mind also that things vary from state to state.

In a seriously no-fault state (like Michigan) the fact that the other driver was at fault will only be good to cover your brother's deductible. His insurance will have to cover the repair and recover what it can however it can in the background.

- Chris