AboutRichard Hixenbaugh Expertise Auto insurance claims procedure, auto coverage, liability issues, auto damage questions, how to deal with the insurance company, loss of use and diminished value.
Experience I have been involved in the insurance industry for over 20 years. I have experience in underwriting, sales, claims adjusting, auto damage estimating, auto value appraising and diminished value appraising. I have testified as an expert witness over 10 times.
Education/Credentials Completed all required courses for the Florida Property-Casualty agents license and the Florida claims adjusters license. I have attended various courses on auto damage estmating, vehicle appraising and am ASE certified in collision damage analysis.
Past/Present clients My company has done work for consumers nationwide.
Question I was in a car accident, when I approached a 4 way stop and stopped at the stop sign a car to my right proceeded through the intersection, there was a pickup truck behind that car and after the car went through the intersection I proceeded to take my turn and the truck hit me. Each one of us claimed it was the others fault, a police officer at the scene said that it was my word against theirs and no one was ticketed for the accident. I spoke with their insurance company and their insured would not contact them back. The last time I spoke with their insurance company they said they needed to try and contact them once more and to give them 10 days to try and get their insured to respond. Then, after the 10 days I received a letter from their insurance adjuster claiming that their investigation concluded that I was at 100% fault, that I did not yield to their insured at the intersection. Can they just determine that I am at fault, when there were no witnesses and the police officer did not issue any citations. Do I have any rights in this situation.
Answer Hi Karen,
When it just comes down to his word against yours, an insurance company will always take the side of their insured. If you have collision coverage, you can make the claim on your insurance to get your car repaired. Then your insurance comapny will fight it out with the other insurance company. The only other alternative would be for you to file a law suit against the other driver. If you are able to convince a judge that he was at fault and you were not then you could force the other insurance comapny to pay you.
