I was hit from behind...why am I so unlucky...

[DM616]

Getting off the ramp of a parkway, I sit their waiting for oncoming traffic to go away...guy revs up and smashes right into the back. He told the trooper he 'was looking over his shoulder, thought he saw my car leave before, rammed into the back of my car'. For god's sake people need to look

I'm okay.

The bumper has a giant crack on top of it:



Here's another pic but it's from a phone lol, camera died...:



The actually back has tiny dents all over and lots of dirt.



Not even sure if covered because I'm just a liability on the insurance...will it be covered? The guy didn't have his wallet.

[mysterl33]

Glad you're alright!

From what I know.. You'll be covered under the other driver's insurance. Just file a claim through the other drivers insurance. Collision insurance covers your vehicle in the case that you caused the accident. Since he crashed into you, it's his fault so he is "liable" for the accident. If he has insurance and you got his insurance info, just file it through his insurance not yours. You can do it through your's but they'll end up just getting reimbursed through the other driver's insurance.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Zembonez]

Luckily the damage is not horrible. The other guy's insurance should pay up and make it right.

[mysterl33]

oh and you can choose the body shop you want to get it done at. Try to get the body shop to find used oem parts or LKQ as they call it. If not get a CAPA certified part. Getting OEM is going to be pretty hard since our cars are old so best you can do is a Reconditioned OEM or LKQ (recycled) or CAPA certified. CAPA Certified would be my last choice.

[DM616]

I left a message at the other driver's house, I want to try and get him to pay without going through insurance.

Otherwise, the only good thing that comes out of this is half of a brand new car lol.

My hood and front bumper was just painted recently...and now my rear bumper...yay?

The damage ain't too bad, but water/snow/rain is going to seep into that crack.

Finding OEM parts won't be too bad, I found my front bumper OEM at a salvage yard

[carsrus]

My bumper was cracked like that for 2 years. Its all plastic, water wont hurt it.

If his deductible is 500$ just get that out of him. I know that most insurance companies don't require a deductible paid for in this type of situation. (Since they will be paying out for your car) But most people don't know this and he will probably think he has to pay the deductible.

My neighbor backed into my front bumper and but a big dent into it a few months ago. I got 550$ from her insurance company just to give you an idea. I just pocketed though and pulled out the dent with a hair dryer.

Bumper for the Camry is ~35$ at an autobody supplier around your area. Since its black I would say you can get just about anyone to spray it for 150$ and you can pocket almost 300$. Takes 30min to do a bumper swap on the gen4.

[JohnGD]

As long as you're ok that's the most important.

Check your state's motor vehicle regulations. You may need to report the accident if the damages are above a certainly $ limit. But below that I guess the two of you can resolve it.

AFAIK, rear-ending is consider the rear-ender's fault.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by DM616

Getting off the ramp of a parkway, I sit their waiting for oncoming traffic to go away...guy revs up and smashes right into the back. He told the trooper he 'was looking over his shoulder, thought he saw my car leave before, rammed into the back of my car'. For god's sake people need to look

I'm okay.

The bumper has a giant crack on top of it:

http://i54.tinypic.com/2j3jyuc.jpg

Here's another pic but it's from a phone lol, camera died...:

http://i51.tinypic.com/k4zau1.jpg

The actually back has tiny dents all over and lots of dirt.

http://i55.tinypic.com/oh369i.jpg

Not even sure if covered because I'm just a liability on the insurance...will it be covered? The guy didn't have his wallet.

glad you OK!

yeah, our area is crazy ... so many horrible drivers around NJ/NY ...

All you need to do, is to call HIS insurance company and notify them that their driver smashed into the rear of your car and fax them the copy of police report. they will cover all the repairs (100% if there was zero of your fault).

don't worry. I did it ocne with Geico (not my insurance) after a Dodge Dakota smashed into my rear side even though cop said it was 50/50 (intersection, guy was "supposed to turn left", I went around him on his right side, he didn't see me, oh well, life sucks sometimes) they paid 50% that is.

Your liability insurance would be in work if YOU smashed into someone else

cheer up

[pmesfun]

+1
My mom got her bumper dented in by this lifted trucks tires. Contacted HIS insurance and they are paying for everything and the Impala for rental.

[DM616]

Hell I don't think I'm listed under her insurance...

still covered?

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by DM616

Hell I don't think I'm listed under her insurance...

still covered?

I would say it doesn't matter at all, because you must file the claim against other driver insurance policy, not yours.

besides usually closest family (living at same address) must be listed on insurance policy, and spouse must be listed even he/she do not have driver license and physically lives on other continenent (she could always visit you right?), at least this is how it is in NJ

[JohnGD]

Yeah, OP needs to get paid for the damages. However, how the other driver's insurance company deals with the deductible is his business. The easiest is to send *his* insurance company the claim. As far as your state's motor vehicle regulations, you may have other reporting requirements separate from the claims issue.

[LynchburgCSI]

Well, at least your okay. Be sure to look BEHIND the bumper cover at the actual bumper for damage too. That's where things get expensive.

[DM616]

Yah I'll be taking it to a mechanic to check but I don't think the actual bumper or frame is damaged...but you could never know I guess.

I just hope everything goes OK with the insurance and I get the money...I asked the guy earlier if he wanted to do this without insurance companies involved and he told me he wants to check into some things and then let me know tomorrow night.

[JohnGD]

I think he's going to check his deductible. Just make sure all legal steps are followed for your protection.

Originally Posted by DM616

Yah I'll be taking it to a mechanic to check but I don't think the actual bumper or frame is damaged...but you could never know I guess.

I just hope everything goes OK with the insurance and I get the money...I asked the guy earlier if he wanted to do this without insurance companies involved and he told me he wants to check into some things and then let me know tomorrow night.