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View Full Version : Car Accident in Michigan


almcmich
May 11, 2007, 08:44 PM
I was recently involved in a car accident in Michigan. It occurred in a parking lot. I was backing out of a parking space as they were pulling forward into one. The front of their car and the back of mine hit. The police came and determined that neither of us were at fault and nothing else was done by them... although they did collect our insurance information/driver's licenses/registration though. Other than that they just said that we should exchange insurance information, which we did. I just want to know, do I need to contact my insurance agent? No real damage was done to my car that I will be claiming, but their vehicle did sustain damage. Can they come after me since no one was cited as being at fault? No tickets were issued. No one was injured. I just am worried, could they come after me for damages? They were driving a state owned vehicle and work for an agency in town. I'm assuming that the state carries full coverage on their vehicles and that their insurance would just cover the damages. But, could they come after me, even though neither of us were determined by the police to be at fault? I don't know what to do. I have asked people I know and they have said not to worry about it and do not report it to my insurance agent because then my insurance will just go up and I don't even need to claim the damage to my vehicle (just a scratch).

Fr_Chuck
May 11, 2007, 09:00 PM
Yes they can come after you for damage, And if the police did not do a police report what the police though will not even be on record.

But why worry, don't tell your insurance if you don't want them to pay for your car, If the state agency files against your insuance they will notify you and then you can give your side of the story, and let them worry about it.

Most likely they did a incident card just to show everyone was licensed and insured ( although in a parking you did not have to be)

Sates either have insurance but many actually self insure, so the tax payers are the insurance, if there is damage, they just pay for it thierself, or have it fixed in a state garage.

Not enough to even get worried about.

RichardBondMan
May 15, 2007, 06:35 PM
I would call my insurance company, report the incident, this is ALWAYS good advice. True, you insurance rate may go up but it's just something you have to face. Then let them worry and pay for you if it's determined you were somehow responsible. I don't know if MI is a no fault state or not, not sure but even if their insurance (or if self insured) pays and you were somehow at fault, that insurance company could file against you (your nsurance company) to recover the loss. I would not worry about it but I would report it my insurance company. Let them handle it.

almcmich
May 23, 2007, 04:07 PM
I did call my insurance company to report the incident. They said that I did not have to do anything as Michigan is a no-fault state. However, the lady I spoke with did make a note of the incident in my file. However, this morning I received a phone call from the company that owns the van that the two women were in whose vehicle was damaged in the parking lot. The company left a message saying that they were calling regarding the accident that occurred when I backed their "parked car." Ok, it was in a parking lot but their vehicle was not "parked." They were not in a an actual parking space, they were pulling into one as I was backing out of the one that I was in. Anyway, the company said to call them back, which I will do tomorrow, because they needed my address to send me paperwork that I need to fill out. Is this what usually happens? I have no idea. What could the paperwork be for?

J_9
May 23, 2007, 04:13 PM
Do not call them back. Call your insurance company, tell them that you have been contacted and give them the name and number of the party that attempted to call you. Take their advice before you call the opposing party's insurance company.

By all means DO NOT GIVE ANY STATEMENT WHATSOEVER to the other company. If they call and you pick up, refer them to your insurance company and give the name and number of the person to whom they should speak.

spikerbiker
May 23, 2007, 08:07 PM
I live in Michigan (a no-fault state). I believe that you should get a copy of the police report. You can do this by going to the police station and requesting it. You stated that the Police determined that neither one of you was at fault. If that is in the report, it should work in your favor and you and your insurance should not have to pay a thing and their insurance should pick up their costs.
I have been in minor fender benders here where neither party even wants to bother calling the police or the insurance companies. Sometimes it is cheaper to just take care of it yourself!