Question for those that have been in a car accident

I was in my first car accident yesterday. The lady had the stop sign, didn't see me and reared me on the passenger side, sliding door. We both have a nice amount of damage, the cops came - wrote up a report and told us to pick it up at our local precient and we can then proceed to get our cars fixed.

NOW my question - we exchanged names, numbers and addresses - but no insurance information. I figured it would be on the accident report. Was I supposed to get her insurance information etc?? I called my insurance company last night and they didn't ask for her information - just some details about the accident and to call them back when I went to the auto shop and picked up the accident report.

We spoke on the phone and exchanged that information this morning, she said we should of exchanged yesterday - this was a first for me - i had no idea what to do!-

I think we are set now - I have all the information from her - just need to pick up the accident report and get my car fixed.

In your experience - how long did it take to get your car fixed and everything cleared? She was at fault.
Im clueless - I hope to get my car fixed soon!

Message edited 2/25/2010 1:26:45 PM.

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

My car was in the shop a week later! Get on there insurance company now!..Call yours and theres. I also went to my local body shop and they did the following up with the claim people.

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

The insurance information should be in the report.

I think it varies on how long it takes to have the car repaired depending on where you take it, and how much/what kind of work needs to be done.

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

First- glad to hear that you are ok

It really depends on how long the body shop needs to fix your car- they should be able to get you an estimate.

Her insurance company should also pay for a rental car for you for while the car is being fixed

Everytime I had an accident, I went through my insurance company, they paid out on everything and in turn went after the other party- I found it less hassle- but that was just my experience not sure how other people have done it

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

The insurance info will be in the police report. It won't actually have the person's carrier's name and policy number, though. There's a box on the police report where the officer will fill in a code number for the insurance carrier. Allstate is 11.

Call your carrier and report the accident. If you got the report number from the officer, give that to your insurance company.

If there was more than $1,000 damage (I think that's the figure), you also have to file a report with the state. That is different from the police report.

I hope everything gets straightened out quickly!

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

Call your insurance company and place the claim. they most likely will get the car fixed in a proper time manner which means quicker than theirs.

What they do is fix your car and then go after her for the damages, rental and your deductible.

glad you are ok and from the details....she is at fault.
They can get her insurance company info by contacting her for you.

GL!

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

I was in an accident back in September. The other driver was at fault. We filed a police report & exchanged info, but as he is on his mother's policy, he didn't know who his insurance carrier was. I took his name & plate numbers from the police report & called my insurance company (GEICO). I told them what happened & gave them the other driver's info. They determined that he was at fault & ran his info to get his insurance company. Then GEICO called his insurance company for me & relayed all of the information about the accident to them. Liberty Mutual called me & told me to get an estimate. I used one of their shops so the estimate was sent right to them. A couple of days after that I was approved to send my car for repairs.

Good luck! I hope everyone is okay!

Re: Question for those that have been in a car accident

for me it all went very quickly. better than I expected.