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2 car accidents in 2 weeks...neither my fault...Do I need to settle with both insurance carriers..?
Anonymous3 views5 answers
I was in 2 accidents within 2 weeks..neither my fault. The first one I was rearended..with little damage but hit hard with son in back seat, No t car repair but went to ER and Physical Therapy...1 Week later a lady hit my drivers door and totaled the door. I was not seen in ER beacuse already getting treatment... Geico is trying to settle with me on the first accident but will not give me much do to there was 2 accidents... My question is do I now contact State Farm too and try to get a settlement from them too?
I am still having back problems and serious anxiety problems..I think every car is going to hit me.
Because you were injured in both collisions, both Geico and State Farm will try to blame the other collision for most of your injury. This complications is another reason for you to hire an attorney for these two cases. If you decide to try and handle this yourself--which I don't recommend--my suggestion would be that you don't settle either case until and unless you have settlement agreements with both insurance companies and you are satisfied with the sum of the two settlement amounts is fair. However, YOU MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (THE TIME YOU HAVE TO FILE SUIT BEFORE LOSING YOUR CLAIM) RUN BEFORE GETTING PAID ON YOUR TWO CASES. All in all, I suggest hiring an attorney in your state. You will naturally expect me to be biased in favor of hiring an attorney but I think it is very likely that the fee you pay an attorney will be justified by these complications:
1) Two insurance companies each blaming the other
2) Your not being sure what your cases are worth and what your residual damages will be.
3) Possibly your attorney will have helpful ideas on how to reduce what you will have to pay for your medical treatment.
Do not settle with either until there is medical evidence as to what injuries were caused by which accident. This happens. The insurance companies will point the finger at each other. Before you even consider the possibility of allowing them to do so, retain experienced PI counsel to help you. Personal injury attorneys nearly always give a free initial consultation.
The insurance industry’s own statistics indicate that once an attorney becomes involved, the value of any claim at least doubles.
Put those two facts together and it is in your best interest to retain experienced legal counsel at your earliest possible convenience.
I truly wish you the best.
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This answer is offered for informational purposes only. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, legal advice. Laws vary widely from state to state. You should rely only on the advice given to you during a personal consultation by a local attorney who is thoroughly familiar with state laws and the area of practice in which your concern lies.
You've got a couple of good answers above. I just want to add that you ought to get a lawyer for this. Cases with split liability from two different accidents are challenging enough for an attorney, much less a layperson. There are cases that a layperson can handle him- or herself, but this isn't one of them. Call your local bar association to get a referral to an attorney.
Good luck.
Lars A. LundeenPersonal Injury LawyerRutland, VT ·
You should obtain needed medical care and treatment immediately and follow your doctor's advice. Do not give any statement to the adverse party or insurance company nor grant them access to your medical records. Photograph your injuries and the damage done to any vehicle or other property. Contact a personal injury attorney in your area as soon as possible so that you can protect your rights. You may also find it helpful to review the Legal Guides I have published on .com dealing with many of the issues you are now facing.
Do not attempt to resolve this on your own. You need legal help.
Legal Disclaimer:
Mr. Lundeen is licensed to practice law in Florida and Vermont. The response herein is not legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship. The response is in the form of legal education and is intended to provide general information about the matter within the question. Oftentimes the question does not include significant and important facts and timelines that, if known, could significantly change the reply and make it unsuitable. Mr. Lundeen strongly advises the questioner to confer with an attorney in your state in order to insure proper advice is received.
You need to contact an attorney immediately. Most reputable attorneys will meet for you for free.
You should avoid attempting to settle your cases on your own, you might not know what it is you are entitled to. An attorney that handles these types of cases will be able to best guide you.
I wish you the best. If you wish a free consultation please call my office, we often handle these types of cases. We can be reached at (216) 288-0792 and (440) 471-7784. We are located near you, in North Olmsted.
Sincerely,
Joseph C. Patituce
