Ever wonder how vehicle into building property damage claims work?
Vehicle into building collisions are much more common than you might realize. In fact, crashes involving more than 100 vehicles hitting buildings occurs every day throughout the United States. That’s upwards of 36,500 incidents annually!
Luckily, with proper auto accident evidence building owners and drivers can understand the claims process and receive compensation for damages they suffered. Without proper evidence, however…
The claims process can turn into a nightmare.
But don’t worry. This article covers everything you need to know about vehicle-into-building accidents and how claims work from start to finish.
Table of contents
- How Vehicle Into Building Crashes Happen
- Why Auto Accident Evidence Is Everything
- Vehicle Into Building Property Damage Claims Process
- Who Actually Pays For The Damage?
- Steps To Protect Your Claim
How Vehicle Into Building Crashes Happen
Contrary to popular belief, most people don’t wreck into buildings due to street racing or crazy Hollywood-style accidents.
According to the Storefront Safety Council, 41% of vehicle into building crashes happen because of pedal error. That means a driver hit their accelerator when they intended to hit the brakes. OR their foot slipped from one pedal to another.
The remaining crashes are attributed to reasons like:
- Texting while driving or otherwise distracted behind the wheel
- Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Driving while experiencing a medical emergency
- Mechanical defects such as brake failure
Far too common. But once a vehicle hits a building, the focus shifts to the claims process. Having thorough auto accident evidence after a crash is the single most important factor in winning a property damage claim.
Why Auto Accident Evidence Is Everything
Without strong evidence, your claim won’t get very far. Insurance companies will search for any excuse to deny your payout…or offer you far less than what you’re owed.
But what constitutes auto accident evidence?
Photos and video of the crash scene.
Police reports.
Witness statements.
Video surveillance footage from the building or nearby businesses.
Repair estimates and invoices.
Insurance adjusters love to dispute claims they don’t want to pay. The more solid evidence you have to back up your claim, the easier time you’ll have fighting back against low settlement offers.
Just make sure you collect that evidence quickly. You never know how long an investigation will take and every day that passes makes it harder to gather the necessary proof. Clean up crews arrive and clean up debris. Witnesses forget important details. Video surveillance gets overwritten.
Speed is critical when collecting auto accident evidence.
Vehicle Into Building Property Damage Claims Process
The property damage claims process with a vehicle colliding with a building is slightly more complicated than your average fender bender.
Typically there are two separate claims taking place at the same time.
One claim from the driver for vehicle damages. Whether that claim is filed by or against the driver depends on who was at fault.
The second claim is filed by the building owner for structural damage.
Both sides need strong evidence to support their claim. But since there are actually two different insurance claims being filed, the process can become confusing.
Typically building owners will file a claim against the driver’s property damage liability coverage. That’s because nearly every state mandates drivers to carry some sort of property damage liability insurance.
BUT…
Liability coverage limits can vary significantly depending on the state. Some states require drivers to carry as little as $5,000 worth of property damage liability coverage. Which probably won’t come close to fixing a hole your car just made in a local business’ storefront.
If the drivers coverage isn’t enough to cover all the damage, the property owner may need to file a claim through their own insurance policy. Specifically their commercial property insurance. And that means an entirely separate set of forms, interviews and headaches.
Who Actually Pays For The Damage?
Assuming the driver is at fault for crashing into the building, their property damage liability insurance would typically cover the cost of repairs.
Property damage liability insurance exists for this very reason. To provide financial protection if you damage someone else’s property in an accident.
Now, if the driver was uninsured at the time of the collision, the building owner will likely have to file a claim on their own insurance.
Building owners carry commercial property insurance which typically includes vehicle damage as a covered peril. Although they will be responsible for paying their deductible.
There are circumstances where something bigger than insurance is to blame. If faulty brakes caused the car to crash into the building, for example, the driver may be able to file a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer.
Cases like this are extremely rare, however…
Ultimately anyone who can be deemed responsible for the accident will be held liable to pay for the damages.
Whether that’s the driver and their insurance company, or a vehicle manufacturer in extreme cases.
Insurance companies determine liability based on the auto accident evidence brought forth during the claims process. Police reports, photos, witness statements and video footage are all examples of solid evidence.
So if a driver or building owner can’t prove who was at fault…they won’t get paid.
Steps To Protect Your Claim
Both drivers and building owners can take important steps after a vehicle hits a building to protect their claims.
Outlined below are steps building owners should take. As well as steps drivers should take to avoid getting ripped off by insurance companies.
Steps building owners should take after a vehicle collides with their building:
- Call 911
- Document structural damage with photos & video
- Obtain a repair estimate from a licensed contractor
- File a police report and obtain a copy of that report
- Call your insurance company within 24 hours to file a claim
Steps drivers should take after crashing into a building:
- Remain at the scene of the accident and cooperate with law enforcement
- Exchange insurance information with the property owner
- Take photos of the vehicle damage as well as damage to the building
- Write down your recollection of what happened while the event is fresh in your mind
- Promptly report the incident to your insurance company
Many people make the mistake of simply letting their insurance company handle everything. However insurers have large teams of adjusters who know how to minimize payouts.
The best way to combat that? Proper auto accident evidence.
Keep in mind. If your insurance company denies your claim or you feel like you’ve been lowballed on a settlement offer, contact a local property damage attorney. They’ll know how to hold insurance companies accountable and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Let’s Tie It All Together
Hits to buildings from vehicles occurs all too frequently. They cause extensive damage to property and can seriously injure any pedestrians nearby.
But understanding how property damage claims work can make the process simple.
Once again:
- Understand how vehicle into building collisions occur, and how insurance companies determine fault.
- Know that auto accident evidence is the most important factor in winning your claim.
- File claims with your insurance company (and the other party’s insurance company) as soon as possible.
- Don’t accept a settlement offer that doesn’t fully cover your damages.
- Seek legal help if you feel like your insurance company is giving you the runaround.
Remember, the more thorough and complete your auto accident evidence is… the better chance you have of winning your claim.
Vehicle collisions with buildings can be intimidating and often complex. Don’t get stuck filing a claim on your own. Armed with the proper knowledge and evidence you can feel confident moving forward with your case.
