Bumpers are built to protect the rest of your auto from more extensive damage in the vent that you have an accident. That’s all very well, but who pays for a damaged bumper if someone hit you?
Even if you are in a no-fault state, generally your own insurance doesn’t automatically pay for damage if it is to your car. You may need to claim the damage from the other driver’s insurance policy, assuming that they are insured and you are able to get their insurance details.
The most common bumper damage is to your rear bumper that is easily dented or completely bent when a vehicle rolls up behind you and fails to stop in time. If you get hit by another driver, whether it is a rear-ender or a front on collision, your bumper will be damaged first, then the rest of your car. You will need to show evidence that the damage to the bumper was due to the accident and not a pre-existing condition.
Filing a Claim For Bumper Damage
If you have been hit by another driver and have sustained bumper damage, you should make sure you exchange details with the driver. You will also need to inform the police if the damage is serious or there were injuries involved. If the incident was minor, but you still face a big repair bill, you would want to claim compensation from the other driver’s insurer.
This would be easier if the driver had hit your bumper from the rear. If you were hit in front, you would want to prove that the accident happened because the other driver failed to stop e.g. at an intersection.
Apart from proof of who was to blame, you should get a reputable repair yard to provide an accurate quotation for the repair to the bumper. Also include alternative transport costs if you need to leave the car with a mechanic for any period of time.
Specific Evidence Needed For Proving Bumper Damage
The main point about providing evidence of bumper damage is that many drivers drive around with minor dents in their bumpers without getting them fixed quickly or even at all. Insurers know this and may challenge your claim and say that the damage didn’t happen at the time you said it did.
The best evidence is a combination of photographic evidence taken just after the crash showing the two vehicles with the date stamp on the photos if that is possible. You can also seek written statements from anyone who saw what happened. The mechanic who deals with your vehicle may also be able to state with a degree of accuracy when the dent or damage happened which could help to substantiate your claim.
Why You Should Work With a PI Lawyer When Filing For Bumper Damage
You are probably not going to bother seeking a lawyer’s help unless the repair bill to your bumper is particularly high and you think you may encounter resistance from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Some high end sports cars have very expensive components and you may be up for a bill of several thousand dollars to repair or replace the damaged bumper. That’s when it would be a good idea to enlist legal assistance. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation today!
