How to deal with unresponsive insurance company for a truck that damaged my car

[Becky Koranka]

I had a car accident with a delivery truck at a gas station. The truck driver was at fault. He was backing his truck while my car was behind it. His cabin was turned away to the max from its long trailer (it was 5th wheel hookup) so the driver did not have a proper visibility. He failed to have somebody to guide him.
Also, he failed to follow basic common sense. He was trying to move the trailer closer to the front door of the gas station's building just to save himself 30 feet to deliver the boxes on a dolly while people and cars were moving there all the time.

My insurance company does not want to deal with the other side. They simply want me to use the
collision part of my auto insurance with high deductible and only then they will recover the extra from the other side. I contacted myself the other insurance company many times, leaving phone messages with 4 different agents but they simply do not return my calls. The repair costs will be at least $1000. The rear bumper is damaged but there could be more damage discovered once the bumper is removed.

So how to deal with this claim? The owner of the truck is a major local delivery company. I suspect they cause many accidents so their insurance companies are basically con artists

 

[fed up]

Turn it in to your carrier, if you have full coverage, and let them handle it. Or, hire an attorney and have his office call and put them on notice but then you will be absorbing the cost of the attorney.

 

[Becky Koranka]

Turn it in to your carrier, if you have full coverage, and let them handle it. Or, hire an attorney and have his office call and put them on notice but then you will be absorbing the cost of the attorney.

My carrier does not want to deal with the other side on my behalf. They will deal with the other side only to recover the costs over the collision deductible. I will contact some lawyers but only under the condition that I am not responsible for any costs. It would be easier for me to use my collision. What are the chances with Small Claims court?

 

[fed up]

do you have an estimate in writing? Many years ago I was sideswiped by a movers truck. I submitted my estimate to their office and was sent a check within a week. Courts could go either way. If your carrier does not want to fight for you, get the car fixed and find another carroer

 

[adjusterjack]

If your carrier does not want to fight for you, get the car fixed and find another carroer

Whoa, there, getting another carrier isn't going to change the fact that your insurance company has no obligation to be your legal representative in a claim against another driver. Any insurance company's only obligation is to pay for your damage and then you give it the right to seek reimbursement from the other driver.