If I hit a car from behind and they have my tag number, what shouldI do?
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If I hit a car from behind and they have my tag number, what shouldI do?
It was raining and my car slid into the back of a vehicle. We stopped the husband got out, came to my car, and said that no one was hurt. Since it was raining so hard I asked if we could move away from on-coming traffic. He said OK. I went to pull off the road. His wife started yelling and cursing at me. I left. They followed behind me, drove around, and blocked me in on a 2-way bridge. His wife got out of the car and stood in front of my truck . She had something in her hand. I backed up and drove around her. Should I speak to an attorney? In King County, WA.
Asked on September 30, 2010 under Accident Law, Washington
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You should notify your insurance company of the auto accident. If the case is just property damage, the other driver should resolve it with your insurance company. Injuries in an auto accident such as a rear-end collision may not manifest themselves immediately. If injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle occur later, that personal injury claim would be handled separately from the property damage claim by your insurance carrier. When they finish their medical treatment, they will submit the medical bills, medical reports and any wage loss. The medical reports will document the nature and extent of the injuries and will be used to determine the amount of compensation for pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering is an amount in addition to the medical bills. Compensation for the medical bills and wage loss is straight reimbursement. If the injured party is dissatisfied with settlement offers from your insurance carrier, they could file a lawsuit against you for negligence. Your insurance carrier will provide you with an attorney at no cost.
If you are charged with leaving the scene of an accident, you should check with your insurance company to see if their attorney will represent you. The attorney for your insurance company might decline to represent you in that case. If that occurs, you should retain an attorney. If you can't afford an attorney, the court may appoint an attorney to represent you.
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