A head on collision with a mail truck is a nightmare scenario as it can do major damage to your vehicle and can also cause serious injuries to anyone in the smaller vehicle. Any extensive damage to the front of your vehicle can make repairs to the car’s engine prohibitively expensive.
You will need to have the repair bill or, alternatively, the replacement value professionally assessed if you are not to be left out of pocket. As long as you can provide evidence that the driver of the mail truck was at fault, then you have a good chance of obtaining compensation for front end damage to your car. You may need legal assistance from an experienced car accident lawyer to help you prepare a valid claim.
The Cost of Repairing a Damaged Engine
The cost of repairing a damaged engine depends on what has been damaged. If the collision was a minor bump, for example, if the truck was turning in a tightly packed parking lot or driveway then it may only be a radiator repair.
If the crash happened at some speed, then this could mean a major repair job. The engine would have to be lifted out and carefully rebuilt. This could mean several thousand dollars in costs.
In addition, it is impossible for the engine alone to be damaged. The front of the car would have to be pushed in. The damage to the front of your car, including the bonnet, front bumper, lights and possibly the chassis could be severe enough to warrant replacing the whole car with a new one instead of trying to repair it.
Filing a Claim
You will unlikely be able to obtain compensation from their insurer unless there is convincing evidence that their client was at fault. Be prepared to submit a well-prepared claim and expect that it will be challenged by the company’s insurer.
The only major advantage of making a claim against a major company, not unlike Fedex, is that it will at least be properly insured. Claims against private individuals often reveal that they do not carry sufficient insurance cover for major repair bills such as engine damage.
Evidence Needed for a Claim After a Truck Accident
The quality of the evidence is the most important component in an insurance claim. Suitable evidence includes the following:
- a police report if one is available. It is likely that the police will attend a major crash as people could be injured and traffic may not flow until vehicles are removed.
- photos taken of the vehicles after the crash. the damage to the front of your car and engine should be shown as well as any marks on the road such as skid marks. You can usually use your cell phone to take reasonable photos.
- eye witnesses who saw what happened and are prepared to make a statement. It is important to get details of names and contact addresses or emails at the crash scene as it will be almost impossible afterwards.
- the damage report from the car repair yard that deals with your car. This can often pinpoint what happened at the time of the crash.
Contact a Lawyer Before Filing Your Claim
As damage to your engine after a front end collision with a truck is a major expense you will want to prepare your claim and paperwork to go with it carefully. It is advisable to contact a lawyer before filing a claim for advice on what to include in such a claim. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation to consult with an attorney today.
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Fedex, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
