Accident with someone else's car.

[shredspred]

Greetings, all. I'm looking for some information...

I was driving a friend's car and in a section of heavy traffic I changed into a lane where unbeknownst to me there was an accident. The drivers ahead of me were able to stop in time. I braked, but unfortunately I hit the driver in front of me and pushed him into the car in front of him.

My friend only has liability, so I will be paying her for her car. Now I have two questions. As far as the other drivers go, my friend (in terms of insurance) will be regarded as the responsible party, is that correct? My second question has to do with my right to collect insurance information at the scene of the accident. All of the other drivers involved were exchanging information, but they didn't give that information to me. When the police arrived, I asked for their assistance in getting that information, but they told me that they would be getting all of that information in their police report, and that I didn't need it then. Is that the way it's supposed to go?

Any commentary about either question would be appreciated.

[fredjacksonsan]

Hi, and Welcome to AF.

Sadly you are correct - you are the at fault party in the accident, and as such your friend's insurance will be paying for the front and rear of the car you hit, and the rear of the car in front of that.

I don't know what happened with the sharing of information at the scene....did you give them your (friend's) insurance info? Maybe they figured that since you were at fault they wouldn't have to give it, but it was bad form for them to do that, since all the insurance companies involved will have to contact all the drivers.

There's no "right" that I know of to collect insurance information at the scene, and in many states there is no legal requirement to give it out. It's just a good practice to do so and let the insurance companies do what you are paying them to do. If someone refuses to give their insurance information, simply report the accident to your company and they'll handle it for you.

Hope that helped, please let us know if you have any further questions.