Hit twice in 4 months, both not my fault — can I still claim diminished value on the second one?

I went through something almost identical — two not-at-fault accidents within a few months on a car I'd barely broken in. The second insurer absolutely tried to use the first accident against me, saying my car was 'already diminished.' What actually helped me was getting an independent appraisal from a certified DV appraiser before I said anything to the adjuster. That report gave me real numbers to push back with instead of just arguing in circles.

Do NOT let the second driver's insurance adjuster order their own DV appraisal and then present it to you like it's gospel. They use appraisers who are incentivized to produce low numbers. Get your own independent appraiser first — someone who charges a flat fee, not a percentage — so you have your own baseline. Adjusters are counting on you not knowing this.

A few practical things worth knowing: DV claims are filed against the at-fault party's liability coverage, not your own insurance. For the second accident, that means you're dealing with the other driver's carrier, and they are not on your side. Document everything — photos, the repair estimates, the Carfax showing both incidents. If you can, get the first accident's DV settlement in writing so you can show it was a separate, closed matter. That paper trail matters a lot if this escalates.

Also, some states have specific rules about how DV is calculated or whether it's even clearly recognized, so it's worth a quick consult with a PI attorney in your state just to understand your footing. Not telling you to sue — just know your rights.

Not legal advice, but I'll say this: the fact that the first accident was fully resolved does not automatically mean the second insurer gets a free pass to ignore the prior hit. There are apportionment arguments on both sides. What typically matters is whether the first repair genuinely restored the vehicle and whether the DV from that first event was compensated. A PI attorney who handles DV cases can often consult for free and tell you pretty quickly whether you have a viable claim worth pursuing. Might be worth one call before you negotiate anything.

Step one: stop talking to the second adjuster until you have an independent DV appraisal in hand. Step two: get that appraisal. Step three: submit it in writing and let them respond. Everything in writing, always. Don't negotiate over the phone.

Quick question — did you actually receive a DV payout on the first accident, or did you just file the claim? And was the first accident fully closed and settled? That distinction matters a lot for how the second insurer is going to respond. If the first DV was never actually resolved, this gets more complicated.

The good news is you have documentation for both accidents and both were clearly not your fault. That actually puts you in a stronger position than a lot of people who are fighting over fault and damages at the same time. You have a clean record and two clear paper trails. That's a real foundation to work from — don't let the insurers make you feel like you're asking for something unreasonable here.