Got rear-ended at a stoplight — have zero idea how the insurance claim process actually works

I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago — rear-ended at a light, told by my own insurer to deal with the other driver's carrier. It felt wrong but it's actually pretty standard when the other driver is clearly at fault. Going through the at-fault driver's insurance directly means you're not paying your own deductible, which is a real upside. That said, the other insurance company is NOT your friend. They're polite but they're working to protect their bottom line, not make you whole.

Please, please be careful what you say when you call that adjuster. They will ask how you're feeling and it sounds like small talk — it's not. Saying 'I'm fine' or 'it wasn't that bad' can absolutely be used to minimize your injury claim later. Stick to the facts: where you were, what happened, that you're still assessing your injuries. Nothing more.

Former adjuster here. Your own insurer suggesting you go to the at-fault party's insurance is completely normal — it's called a third-party claim and it's the standard path when liability is clear.

On the rental: yes, the at-fault carrier should cover it, but there is usually a daily cap and it often doesn't match what rental companies actually charge for a comparable vehicle. Push back if they try to put you in something way smaller than what you had. On diminished value — that's absolutely a real thing you can claim, but you often have to ask for it explicitly. They won't volunteer it.

Please get checked out medically, even if you feel fine right now. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries from rear-end impacts often don't fully present until 48-72 hours later. If you wait too long to seek care, the insurance company will use that gap to argue your injuries weren't caused by the accident. Your health comes first, but that documentation also protects you legally.

Not legal advice, but I'll say this: the question of 'do I need a lawyer' really depends on whether you have injuries. Property damage only? You can probably handle it yourself with some patience. Injuries, missed work, ongoing pain? That changes the math considerably, because insurance companies settle injury claims for a lot less when there's no attorney involved — they know most people don't know what their claim is actually worth. Most PI attorneys do free consultations so there's no harm in at least having that conversation.

Here's the short version: call the other insurance, open the claim, don't give a recorded statement without thinking hard about it first, see a doctor, and keep receipts for everything — rental car, Uber rides, copays, all of it. And the 'diminished value' thing the other commenter mentioned is real — look it up and factor it into any settlement conversation.