Car insurance claim, not at fault - How long?

dillo2k10

Hi

My friend was in an accident last night, another driver ran a stop sign and hit the side of her sending her into a pole and field. The other driver admitted liability and there were loads of witnesses.

Her car seems to be a write off.

We're wondering how long a claim should take for the car?

She will also e eventually be claiming for her injuries? Bad back, neck, arm and most of upper body, the doctor said she will be in pain for quite a while, is it going to take a long time to get that claim?

Thanks

MugMugs

The variables involved are just huge. If your friend is genuinely injured then don't rush the injury settlement as doing so could be detrimental in the long run.

Atlantic Dawn

Depends if other driver contests it, if they don't it will probably take atleast a month to get the value of the car. In this time she should rent a car out at the other insurers expense or rent one out and tell them she will bill them until they sort out her claim, this will speed things up.

The personal injury side of things could take a year or number of years. It's highly unlikely she could at this time say that she has suffered permanent injuries and it's not even 24 hours since the crash. If it's a genuine injury it will take months to fully diagnose, treat and calculate a claim.

dillo2k10

The other driver is admitting complete fault, so no problem there.

And yes the injury is genuine, she's not really concerned about the injury claim just yet but I thought I'd mention it when posting

So she should be expecting to wait a month?

She can't get a rental car as she is on a provisional licence

And yes she had a full licenced driver with her

oldyouth

The only problem as I see it is that if the other party's insurer admits the property damage element, then they have no defence against the personal injury side of it.

For that reason only, they may dig their heals in an deny liability. The level of personal injuries, as of today, is unknown so it might be a long process

slimjimmc

Don't assume the other driver's admission copperfastens 100% liability on him. He/she could easily say he was in shock/confused/panicked (add other adjective) and didn't really know what he was saying. The witnesses' statements could carry more weight. Hope your friend recovers soon.

Our man in Havana

Also a no fault accident will be on your record also. Perverse I knows.

Milk & Honey

The entire claim may well be settled together. A solicitor should be sought straight away. Medical reports will have to be organised. An application will have to be made to PIAB. Most likely court proceedings will have to be started. It could be two or three years to finality.

dillo2k10

Our man in Havana wrote: »

Also a no fault accident will be on your record also. Perverse I knows.

Would this mean an increase in the premium?

dillo2k10

Milk & Honey wrote: »

The entire claim may well be settled together. A solicitor should be sought straight away. Medical reports will have to be organised. An application will have to be made to PIAB. Most likely court proceedings will have to be started. It could be two or three years to finality.

Really? I would have thought they would do the injury and car claim sepperatley? And would the insurance company be liable to pay the costs of a rental car for those 2 or 3 years?

Our man in Havana

dillo2k10 wrote: »

Would this mean an increase in the premium?

It could. I know someone who is loaded for having no fault accidents. They see you as prone to trouble and load you.

oldyouth

dillo2k10 wrote: »

Really? I would have thought they would do the injury and car claim sepperatley? And would the insurance company be liable to pay the costs of a rental car for those 2 or 3 years?

IF the other party is liable for the accident, you would be entitled to claim car hire to cover a reasonable period necessary to repair the car. This is usually limited to 2-3 weeks. You won't get any longer than that

Squ

She'd be better off getting in touch with a solicitor than getting you to get advice here..

kennM

Speaking from personal experience in my case. Ins company settled on material damages after circa a month. Personal injuries, going through piab at the min.

Hope this helps... And PLEASE PLEASE dont rush any personal injuries settlement. Im nearly two years down the road and the full extent and impact of injuries are only becomg appareent at this stage. Your health is your wealth

MugMugs

kennM wrote: »

Speaking from personal experience in my case. Ins company settled on material damages after circa a month. Personal injuries, going through piab at the min.

Hope this helps... And PLEASE PLEASE dont rush any personal injuries settlement. Im nearly two years down the road and the full extent and impact of injuries are only becomg appareent at this stage. Your health is your wealth

You're also near litigation if you're in PIAB and probably shouldn't be discussing your case in any amount of detail on here.

dillo2k10

Just thought I'd let yous know, she got a solicitor straight away.

She's getting the money for her car as soon as she sends in her log book.

They aren't putting in an injury claim just yet, they dont know just yet how serious the injures are

kennM

MugMugs wrote: »

You're also near litigation if you're in PIAB and probably shouldn't be discussing your case in any amount of detail on here.

Don't worry MugMugs... not going to go into any detail on it..... just trying to share my experience. Injuries can be peculiar things. The full extent and impact and long term implications of them can be unexpected, and even not as medical opinion expects. There is only one thing that can give you confidence, time.

thx