Expert: Bennie719 - 5/25/2009

Question
Hi, thank you for trying to help me. The other night I was driving down a 2 lane road and the car in front of me, in the other lane, came into my lane. So to dodge a head on collision, I decided to bear right into gravel and a wooden area. When i did this, my front right tire hit a rocks and various other things and i was left with a flat tire and scratches on the bottom of my bumper. Because this was at night and I was alone I decided to drive to a friend's house who was near. I drove on a flat which destroyed the rim and had an effect on my steering wheel direction. I was wondering, what happens next?

Answer
Hi Shane,
If you carry collision coverage on your car, you can turn to your own insurance company to have the car repaired. less your deductible.
In order for your insurance to pay the full amount, there must be a
3rd party from which they have a legal right to collect.

Since there was no physical contact between you and the other vehicle,
and the other driver is unknown, this will be considered a fault loss.
This is what an insurance company refers to as a "phantom" vehicle since there is no identity.

Your insurance company will probably deny coverage for the damaged rim and the steering problem because this damage was inflicted by your continuing to drive the car when you should have left it and called a tow truck.

I hope that you find this information to be of help.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area