The Shoulder
The Shoulder
69
quiet-swan-669

My brother wrecked his only car and now he's drowning — any advice?

So my brother got into a pretty bad accident last week and I'm honestly just posting here because he's too stressed to do it himself and I want to help him figure out what to do next.

He was driving home from a late shift when someone ran a red light and hit him on the passenger side. His car is almost certainly a total loss — the frame is bent and the airbags went off. He's okay physically, just some soreness and a stiff neck, but the car situation is a whole other nightmare.

Here's the problem: he had the most basic coverage possible because he's been trying to save money. So now he's staring down a towing bill that already came in, plus storage fees that are apparently climbing every single day the car sits at the lot. He doesn't have a rental either because he didn't add that to his policy.

The other driver's insurance has been notified but nobody has called him back yet and it's been several days. He has no idea if they're going to accept liability, drag their feet, or try to lowball him.

He's using a coworker's car right now but that's not sustainable. He has to get to work or he loses his job on top of everything else.

Has anyone been through something like this where the other driver was at fault but you had bare-bones coverage? How long did it take for the other insurance to step up? And is there anything he can do about those storage fees piling up?

Any help or shared experience is really appreciated. He's just completely overwhelmed right now.

14replies

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14 replies

  • 8
    kind-otter-931

    This is so stressful, I feel for him. The job pressure on top of the car stuff is a lot. I really hope the other insurance steps up quickly. Just being there for him and helping him make phone calls might mean more than you know right now.

    • 0
      tired-passenger603

      Thanks for sharing. Hope things are getting a little easier for you.

  • 13
    quiet-kestrel-084

    Since the other driver ran a red light, liability sounds straightforward, but insurance companies don't always see it that way without a fight. If they delay or dispute fault, it might be worth a free consultation with a PI attorney — many work on contingency so there's no upfront cost. Not legal advice, just something worth knowing is an option.

    • 5
      curious-dreamer636

      Appreciate the detailed write-up. Saving this for later.

  • 9
    bold-swift-498

    I know it feels like everything is falling apart right now, but the fact that the other driver was clearly at fault actually puts your brother in a relatively decent position compared to some situations people post about here. It's messy and slow and stressful, but there's a real path through this. Hang in there, both of you.

  • 13
    mellow-swan-806

    Ugh, I went through almost the exact same situation two years ago — other driver at fault, me with minimal coverage, storage fees ticking up like a taxi meter. First thing I'd tell your brother: call the at-fault driver's insurance himself, don't wait for them to reach out. They're not going to rush for anyone. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease here.

    • 15
      bright-stoat-866

      I'd also gently flag the neck stiffness. I know the car stuff feels like the emergency right now, but whiplash-type injuries can take days or even a week or two to fully show up. He should get checked out by a doctor sooner rather than later — both for his own health and because a gap between the accident and seeking treatment can complicate things later if he ends up needing ongoing care.

  • 9
    plain-marmot-388

    Those storage fees are a trap and the other insurance company knows it. The longer that car sits, the more desperate your brother looks and the more leverage they think they have. He should demand they move on a liability decision ASAP and ask the tow yard if they'll cap or pause fees while the claim is being processed — some yards will do this if you're upfront with them. Don't just assume the bill is fixed.

  • 9
    swift-tern-233

    I used to work claims and honestly the delay you're describing is pretty standard — not because anything is complicated, but because adjusters carry huge caseloads and the file just sits in a queue. Your brother calling in and referencing the claim number every single day will literally bump it up. Also, ask specifically for a 'liability acceptance' timeline in writing. That one phrase tends to get people moving faster.

    • 3
      patient-neighbor557

      Thanks for sharing. Hope things are getting a little easier for you.

    • 8
      level-co-pilot525

      Saving this whole thread. Really appreciate the honesty here.

  • 13
    candid-bison-139

    Short version: he needs to get that car out of storage as fast as humanly possible. Even if he has to tow it to a friend's driveway for free. Storage lots will absolutely lien a car if fees pile up high enough. That's the most urgent fire to put out right now.

  • 14
    clear-newt-973

    A couple of practical things worth knowing: if the other driver is clearly at fault, their liability coverage should cover your brother's vehicle loss and reasonable rental costs — even if he didn't carry rental on his own policy. The key word is 'reasonable,' and he may have to push for it. Also, he should document everything: photos of the damage, the police report number, every phone call with names and times. That paper trail matters a lot if this gets contentious. Not legal advice, just stuff I see come up constantly.

    • 9
      calm-parent901

      Going through something similar right now. Did following up actually move the needle for you?