My car got totaled in an accident, it wasn't my fault, I got ticketed and I'm out of a car. What do I do?

[arvad]

Here is what happened in full detail. I live in Chicago by the way.

I was driving my car down Congress in Chicago with a passenger and we were heading towards the intersection of Congress and Wells. There was a lot of construction on the roads that blocked certain views for me.

I was following the speed limit. (30-35) and the light for me was green as I was approaching the intersection of Congress and Wells. All of a sudden a 2009 Nissan Murano quickly comes up from the left side on Wells and stops right in the middle of the intersection. I had no time to swerve so I honked my horn and slammed on the brakes but it was too late. I ended up T-boning the passenger side of her car and my car (2002 Mitsubishi lancer oz rally) was totaled due to the front damage. I had to push the car to the side as it would not turn on or function anymore.

The car I t-boned was still able to drive and the driver said, "I don't know what happened", as soon as I went to see if she was okay. I immediately told her that she blew the red light.

A witness that was driving behind me pulled over next to us to check if we were okay and then verified with us that the light was green in my favor and that the woman I t-boned did in fact blow the red light.

The woman was somehow convinced that she had a green light and told the officer on the scene that I blew the red light. The witness told the officer the light was green in my favor and then went off with his business as he was in a hurry. The officer took his license and recorded his information. I did not get a chance to get his information unfortunately.

A little while after, the cop issues me a ticket for blowing the red light, my car gets towed by a family friend and the car is placed at his company. I'm paying for storage.

My passenger also noted that the light was green and after the accident, she went to the hospital on her own accord to get checked just in case. She ended up fine. No one was hurt in the accident.

I have already contacted my insurance and made a claim. I have liability so I was not able to get a rental. I also contacted her insurance company (American Family) and made a claim with them before she did.

I am out of a car. I am on temporary leave from my job as I have no car to drive nor can I afford a rental at this time.

Can I somehow get a rental from the other drivers insurance company? What should I do?

Our court date is in October 20th and I will be fighting my ticket. My passenger will testify in my favor and I will try to get the other witness from the police records somehow.

Thank you in advance for helping

[doran]

Contact the police officer and try to get the witnesses name and number for court.

[link]

Contact the police officer and try to get the witnesses name and number for court.

you buy a bycicle.

[tanishia]

If the other person's insurance company accepts fault, then you should be able to get a rental car. However, since you were ticketed, it's likely they won't accept liability.

[francisco]

Unfortunately I don't think you will be able to do anything until after the court date. You don't want to go though with the claim on your own insurance policy until it is established who caused the accident in court. I guess this varies by state, but where I live the person who is at fault, their insurance has to pay to fix your car, not the person who gets hit. However I know not all states do it like that.