The Shoulder
The Shoulder
68
brave-wren-305

Driver clipped my open car door while I was getting my dog out — now dealing with his sketchy insurer

Still kind of shaken up writing this, but here goes.

Last weekend I had parked along the street outside a family cookout at my aunt's place. I had just pulled in and had the rear door wide open because I was unclipping my dog's travel harness from the back seat — she's a big girl and it takes a second. My hazards were on, I was fully stopped, door had been open probably 90 seconds easy.

Out of nowhere, a guy coming down the street just... plowed right into my open door. Bent it back so far I couldn't even close it afterward. He got out, seemed flustered, kept saying something about the sun being in his eyes. A neighbor nearby saw the whole thing.

I got his info. Called non-emergency police — they came out, took a report, which I was grateful for. The witness stuck around and gave a statement, which felt like a lucky break.

Here's where I'm at now: his insurance company is one I've genuinely never heard of before. When I looked them up, the reviews are... not great. Lots of posts about lowball offers, slow responses, adjusters ghosting people. But I also know people don't usually go online to leave five-star reviews for insurance companies, so I'm trying not to spiral.

They've already sent someone out to look at the car. The preliminary number they're floating feels really low to me — doesn't seem like it would cover a full repair at any reputable shop.

Has anyone dealt with a smaller or regional carrier as a third-party claimant? How hard did you have to push to get a fair repair estimate? And should I be going through my own insurance instead to make this faster?

Also — my shoulder and neck have been sore since it happened. I kind of braced instinctively when I saw the car coming. Wondering if I should get that looked at before I sign anything.

11replies

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11 replies

  • 22
    quick-wolf-929

    The smaller carriers are honestly sometimes worse than the big ones because they know you don't have as much leverage. I was a third-party claimant once with a regional insurer and they dragged their feet for weeks until I mentioned I'd spoken to an attorney. Suddenly things moved a lot faster. Don't let them lowball you on the repair — get your own independent estimate from a shop you trust before agreeing to anything.

  • 16
    daring-owl-349

    I used to work claims and I'll tell you — that first number they give you is almost never their best number. It's a starting point, and a lot of people just accept it because they're exhausted and stressed and just want it over with. Get two or three written estimates from shops you choose, not ones they recommend. You have the right to do that. Also, document everything in writing — emails over phone calls whenever possible.

    • 9
      cool-swift-531

      Go get that shoulder and neck checked out, seriously. A lot of soft tissue injuries from sudden bracing or impact don't show up right away — sometimes symptoms peak a few days later. Even if you feel like it's mild, get it documented by a doctor now. If it turns out to be nothing, great. But you do not want to settle a claim and then discover two weeks later you've got a real injury with no recourse.

    • 20
      gentle-hare-401

      Quick question — did the police report actually note that your door was open and that you were outside the vehicle? That detail matters a lot for how liability gets framed. Also, did the responding officer note the witness statement in the report itself, or is it separate?

  • 7
    candid-marmot-212

    Please do not trust that adjuster. Their job is literally to pay out as little as possible. The fact that they came out fast and gave you a number quickly is a tactic — they want to get you to settle before you realize you're entitled to more. Do NOT sign any release paperwork until you are 100% sure the car repair cost is fully covered.

  • 22
    careful-badger-432

    A couple things worth knowing: as a third-party claimant you're dealing with the at-fault driver's insurer, which means they represent HIM, not you. You can absolutely file through your own collision coverage and let your insurer subrogate (go after his insurance) — that sometimes gets your car fixed faster. Also, don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer without understanding what you're agreeing to. They will use your own words if they can.

    • 6
      kind-wanderer204

      That lines up with what my adjuster told me too.

  • 9
    cool-fox-135

    Two things: (1) Get that neck and shoulder looked at TODAY if you haven't already. Medical documentation protects you. (2) Stop talking to their adjuster on the phone — switch to email only so you have a paper trail. Those are your two most important moves right now.

  • 15
    patient-wren-257

    Not legal advice, but: the fact that you have a police report AND an independent witness puts you in a genuinely strong position on liability. The dispute here is going to be about damages — car and physical. If you're having any symptoms at all, most PI attorneys offer free consultations and can at least tell you whether it's worth having someone in your corner. The physical injury piece especially can get complicated fast.

    • 4
      level-co-pilot459

      Thank you both, this gave me the push I needed to make the call.

  • 17
    daring-seal-000

    Oh wow, I would have been so scared in that moment — you're just trying to get your dog out and this happens. I'm glad the witness stayed! Make sure you're taking care of yourself too, not just the car stuff. Hope your shoulder feels better soon 💙