Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 9/10/2009

Question
Richard,

I was recently in a one vechicle accident that related in me being transported to the hospital with minor injuries.  When the police arrived at the scene and I was in the ambulance, they asked me if I had been drinking.  I told them I had two glasses of wine within the past hour.  No field test was done, nor was I sited.

In the police report it states the cause of accident was wet roads and driver on her cell phone.  Then in a seperate area it states that human factor was cell phone use and suspected drinking driver due to observation.

What does this mean and how will it affect my insurance claim?

Thanks for the response.

Answer
Hi Lisa,

Since there was no sobriety test and no DUI issued it is as if it never happened. The insurance company can not take any action based on drinking when there is no conviction. You should simply stick with your story that you had a glass of wine. Do not make a big deal of it. Just answer and move on. If they ask about the police report indicating possible alcohal involvement, you should simply say that you did tell them that you had a glass of wine but obviously the police officer did not feel I was impared because he did not to a sobriety test or breath test and there was no citation issued.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh