Many of us have experienced a scenario similar to this.
You’re driving in your own lane, paying attention to the road. Suddenly, a vehicle from another lane drifts into yours. You swerve in order to avoid colliding with this vehicle, even though you did nothing wrong.
In some instances like this, there’s no one around you and no collision occurs. Sometimes, while swerving to avoid one vehicle, you may end up colliding with another. This is an example of a no-contact collision.
Below, we discuss a few things you need to know when it comes to pursuing damages for this type of accident.
The Phantom Driver
Many times, the negligent driver that actually caused the accident may remain unaware of their actions and drive away. These types of drivers are known as “phantom drivers,” as they seemingly disappear with you able to get some identifying information.
Most of the time, accidents caused by phantom drivers will fall under underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. However, this sort of coverage is not necessarily carried by all motorists.
Coverage will ultimately come down to three questions:
- What does your policy state?
- Are there are witnesses?
- What are the state’s underinsured/uninsured motorist requirements?
Making a Claim for Damages
Witnesses are your best bet as receiving fair compensation in a no-contact collision, especially if your injuries or property damage are significant. Without a corroborating witness, the insurance company may be less likely to believe that your accident was caused by another driver and not yourself. A witness may include:
- Your vehicle passengers
- Another person involved in the accident who saw the events beforehand
- A person passing by at the time of the accident, such as a pedestrian or bicyclist
- Another motorist that witnessed the accident
Additionally, if you had a dashcam attached to your vehicle at the time of the crash, this can also be used as evidence to prove your side of the story.
Your insurance company may not come to your aid if you report a no-contact collision. However, remember that our team of seasoned personal injury attorneys are here to do just that. Pursuing damages in these cases can be tricky. Our firm is here to review each detail of your case and ensure you receive fair and full compensation from the insurance company.
Contact The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus at (800) 905-8777 to schedule your free case review.