A DRIVER has been torn between paying a $1,500 repair bill or driving around with a busted vehicle after a confusing auto accident left her in a tough spot.
The woman, Joyce Reedy, wasn’t even behind the wheel when the unfortunate incident took place.
WFMYA North Carolina woman gave her 2005 Honda Civic to a hospital valet who got into an accident while parking it[/caption] WFMYThe accident resulted in the driver’s car being scratched and dented[/caption] WFMYDue to a North Carolina law, the driver was denied of a insurance claim, forcing the driver to cough up $1,500[/caption]The North Carolina driver was making a routine trip to Moses Cone Hospital to visit her father when a valet who usually parks her 2005 Honda Civic got into an accident, as reported by CBS affiliate WFMY.
“I decided to valet park because I walk with a cane and it’s a little too far to walk,” Reedy told WFMY.
She’s one of hundreds of drivers who park at the hospital’s garage every day using the complimentary service.
However, after returning to her vehicle, she noticed that her 2005 Honda Civic had been scratched up and dented.
The hospital valet explained that another driver had crashed into the Honda in the parking garage as she was stopping in front of the other car.
“She (the valet) said she had to stop from hitting another vehicle – then the other driver was incoherent – must not seen her and ran into my car,” Reedy said.
A police report indicated that the other driver was at fault — not the valet.
Despite this, Reedy’s Allstate insurance said they wouldn’t be able to help her out because the valet was partially at fault for the auto accident.
A little-known North Carolina law played a part in denying Reedy’s insurance claim.
The state’s contributory negligence law states that if a plaintiff is found to be even 1% at fault for an accident, they are still held liable for the damages.
North Carolina is one of only four states to adopt the harsh legal standard.
In 2022, insurance companies paid out nearly $5.6 billion in claims, which would have been more if not for the law.
“It’s not right at all,” Reedy said.
WFMY contacted the other driver who got into the car accident with the valet, and she insisted her car was stopped when the accident occurred.
The “1% Rule” in North Carolina refers to the state’s contributory negligence law, which prevents a plaintiff from recovering any damages if they are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident or injury.
According to this rule, if the plaintiff is even slightly responsible for causing the accident, they are barred from receiving any compensation from the defendant. This strict standard can make it really difficult for plaintiffs to recover damages in personal injury cases.
Source: Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd
The other driver repeatedly told WFMY that she “didn’t know” what happened, but allowed Allstate to conduct an investigation.
“The claim was denied after a thorough review,” Allstate told WFMY.
In a statement, the North Carolina Department of Insurance said the department does not have the “statutory authority” to determine if Reedy, the valet, or the other driver was at fault for the accident.
Reedy can choose to file a claim with her insurance company, which could drive up her rates in the long run.
Alternatively, she could choose to pay out of pocket for the damages, which could run her up to $1,500.
The last option would be to drive around with a dented and scratched-up vehicle.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Woman blasts ‘1% law’ as she’s denied claim after her car was hit – she wasn’t even in driver’s seat & faces $1,500 bill )
Also on site :