I caused a bad wreck and the other driver got hurt — what happens to me now?

I was at fault in an accident a couple years back where the other person ended up with a broken collarbone. Honestly the waiting period — not knowing if they'd sue — was the worst part. My insurer eventually handled the negotiation with the other driver's attorney and it settled within my policy limits. That's not guaranteed obviously, but it happens more often than you'd think. Hang in there.

The one-call-and-a-claim-number thing is unfortunately pretty standard early on. What's happening behind the scenes is they're waiting to see what the other driver's medical bills look like before they start seriously working the file. Once his attorney (and he almost certainly has one by now) sends a demand letter, things will move fast. Your insurer is legally obligated to defend you up to your policy limits — that's what liability coverage is for. The part you need to worry about is what happens above those limits.

Do not assume your insurer is automatically on your side here. Their job is to settle the claim as cheaply as possible — which sometimes means settling fast in a way that leaves you exposed if the other driver later claims more damages. Read your policy carefully and understand exactly what your per-person and per-accident limits are.

A few practical things: first, write down everything you remember about the accident right now while it's fresh — road conditions, speed, what you saw before impact, everything. Second, keep every document you receive — the police report, any letters from your insurer, anything from the other driver or their attorney. If this escalates to litigation, that paper trail matters more than you'd expect. Also, your insurer is required to assign you a dedicated claims adjuster — if you haven't heard back, call and ask for one by name.

Just want to gently point out — you mentioned you're 'still in shock.' That's real. Being involved in a serious crash, even as the at-fault driver, is traumatic. Please make sure you're checking in with yourself physically and mentally. Adrenaline can mask a lot in the days after an accident, and stress absolutely affects your body. Don't be so focused on the financial stuff that you neglect yourself.

Three things: 1) Call your insurer back and get the name of your assigned adjuster — don't let this sit. 2) Get a free consult with a personal injury attorney, yes even though you're the one at fault, just to know your exposure. 3) Do NOT contact the other driver or their family directly under any circumstances. Let the insurance companies handle that communication.

What are your actual liability limits? Like the per-person number on your declarations page? That changes the conversation a lot. Someone with 100k in coverage is in a very different position than someone with 25k. Also — did the police report assign fault to you specifically, or was it just an incident report?

I know this feels overwhelming, but the fact that you have liability coverage at all puts you in a much better position than a lot of people who come here. And the fact that it was a weather/road condition situation — not recklessness — actually matters in how these things often resolve. You're asking the right questions early. That counts for something.