I got into a car accident on 680 in Northern California which involved 8 cars on the freeway. Someone had cut off the first driver, forcing them to slam on their brakes which started the whole thing. An SUV in front of me hit the car in front of her, but I actually stopped just in time. Then the car behind me hit me, pushing me into the SUV. I got pretty bad whiplash, and I don't have medical coverage. Now the insurance companies, both mine and the two other drivers, at placing the fault on me because I "rear ended" her.
Am I automatically at fault, just because I rear ended her? I had stopped, and got pushed into the other car. What can I do?
Answer:
While you are technically not at fault, it will be almost impossible to prove otherwise without hiring an attorney. You will need to provide some type of evidence that you had stopped in time, only to be hit by another "negligent" party and forced to hit the car in front of you.
Proving negligence is absolutely critical to get you medical bills covered by the other drivers insurance carrier. Without that, you will be force to use your own coverage, and be limited to whatever medical coverage they allow.
Even so, an attorney may be able to force your insurance company to pay medical payments immediately, before the claim is finalized, so that you won't have to worry about dealing with medical bills.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney now to get good legal advice regarding your options to get the at fault driver to compensate you for your medical bills, car damage and pain and suffering.
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Posted by Staff Writer on 01 May 2010