What is my best course of action, my car was hit by a bus
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What is my best course of action, my car was hit by a bus
I am a delivery driver from Michigan and was on a delivery. I was driving down
a one way road with no stop signs along my path. A bus that was stopped at an
intersections stop sign, pulled out in front of me, and T-boned my car. Police
came to the accident scene and the bus driver admitted fault. There is a police
report on the accident.
My car is not able to be driven as the accident bent some of the metal framing
of my car to my tire and the appearance of my car is a wreck. I am unable to
continue work due to this. There were no injuries.
I have not yet filled an insurance claim and I have PLPD insurance. I was
hoping to hear legal advice before making a claim as to make sure I am not
taken advantage of or under compensated during the process.
Asked on October 23, 2016 under Accident Law, Michigan
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
If you have the relevant insurance (e.g. collission) as indicated, then the fastest, most straightforward thing to do is to file a claim with your own insurer--that's what you pay them for, after all: to pay for damage to your car. This will get you the money to fix your car the quickest and, if your coverage includes rental coverage, they'll pay for a rental car, while the repairs are being done, too.
You can then claim against the bus company for any amounts not paid by your insurance, such as your deductible; lost wages from not being able to work; any uncovered rental car costs; etc. If they (or their insurer) will not pay voluntarily, you can sue the bus company (and the driver--since you may also sue him, as the at-fault driver, personally, too, you should name him in the lawsuit) for those amounts.
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