I was driving at the speed limit when the car ahead of me missed an exit and suddenly slammed their brakes. They came to a complete stop, and I couldn’t avoid hitting them. Before I could react further, they drove off. My car is badly damaged: the front is wrecked, right headlight broken, hood bent out of shape, grille smashed, and the airbag deployed.
I have full coverage with Progressive. Does this mean my car might be totaled? Will my insurance cover this? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
It sounds like you’re likely to be considered at fault. Drivers are expected to maintain a safe distance to avoid collisions even if someone brakes suddenly. I’d recommend contacting your insurance to start a claim and see what they say.
Sadly, you’ll probably be found at fault. The next steps are to file a claim with your insurance and pay the deductible. The adjuster will decide if the car is repairable or if it’s a total loss.
You’ll need to file a claim. You can do this through the Progressive app or by calling their customer service number. Since the other driver left, that’s your only option.
Unless the other driver cut you off or suddenly swerved in front of you, this will likely be considered your fault. Safe following distance means you should be able to stop even if the person ahead slams their brakes.
Without video evidence, this might be tricky. Insurance companies often deny claims when there’s no proof of how the accident happened. If you don’t have a dash cam or a police report, it might be your word against theirs.
If there’s no police report or witnesses, you might want to tell the adjuster that the car backed into you hard. They may not be able to prove otherwise. By the way, what year is your car? Did airbags deploy or are there any wheel damages?