Spin off - what would/did you do in a traffic accident? Advise your teen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with above - exchange information and get the other persons. They can say things like "i'm sorry" or "ok" if the other person is insisting its their fault without worrying about it. Each insurance company will see if there's any proof to whose fault it was and if not then they'll both find their driver wasn't at fault and cover their driver but refuse to pay for the others car.

Also - move so they're not blocking traffic assuming their car is drivable. And generally not bothering to wait for police if no one is injured, they don't need to come and often wont.

Related to this, I saw a fender bender recently. Traffic was held up which is why I could see it so clearly. But, one car was attempting to move off the road. The other driver was SCREAMING that they were not allowed to move, it was illegal, they were "fleeing the scene", etc. I don't know how it was resolved but thoughts on that? Is it illegal to move in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched a teen drive right into my parked car as he was attempting to part in tight lot. I politely confronted him and he was arrogant. I asked him for his insurance information, etc and he said he didn't have any of it and he had to go in for an appointment. He was unapologetic. I suggested he look again. He pretended to look and said he didn't have it and went into the building. That is when I got the police involved. Guess, what? He had it everything we needed.

I would advise your teen to be respectful and not to like. I know it's scary, but part of adulthood is being accountable and taking responsibility for your actions. I would have considered letting it go if he had not been disrespectful. In the end it cost me too because my rates went up even though I was not at fault.

This sucks. But not really the question asked. Sounds like you handled it correctly and, yes, the teens should be respectful. But so should the ADULTS dealing with them (like you were).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and one more thing, since this has come up for me:

Do not tell your teen to try and get the other driver to not report the incident to insurance.

I don't know if there are a lot of parents out there who apparently think they can make an end run around rising insurance rates by doing this, but it's a sure fire way to piss off the other driver. To me if someone asks to deal with an accident where they were clearly at fault (rear-ending) without insurance, it's a big fat red flag that either they've done this before or may try to screw me (or their parent may try to screw me). Don't do this. Insurance was designed for this specific situation, and asking a driver you just hit to handle it without insurance is NOT okay.

So on this, I've also found that even if reported to insurance, you can "settle" without them paying. I was hit a long time ago in Arlington. The other guy tried to play me but ultimately, even though we both alerted our insurance, he paid me out of pocket.

[Anonymous]

you take pictures, exchange insurance information, call the police if it appears to be more than a fender bender. Don't admit fault.

A lot of accidents can be the front driver's fault so don't be quick to think you are at fault if you are behind. I had one crazy lady at a stop sign pull into traffic then backup into my car cause she was an idiot, tried to blame me and say she hurt her neck. Another idiot boomer too old to drive backed up into my car that was parked in the lot, again they are at fault.

I think by law all vehicles should have tesla or dashcams as there are lots of scammers and idiot old people driving out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take lots of picture, get their information and let insurance deal with it if your teen hit someone or they were hit. If your kid hit someone you should pay.

No one is saying otherwise. What's your issue?

[Anonymous]

there are also lots of scammers out there with existing damage that never get it fixed and get hit over and over again and ask to be paid outside of insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh and one more thing, since this has come up for me:

Do not tell your teen to try and get the other driver to not report the incident to insurance.

I don't know if there are a lot of parents out there who apparently think they can make an end run around rising insurance rates by doing this, but it's a sure fire way to piss off the other driver. To me if someone asks to deal with an accident where they were clearly at fault (rear-ending) without insurance, it's a big fat red flag that either they've done this before or may try to screw me (or their parent may try to screw me). Don't do this. Insurance was designed for this specific situation, and asking a driver you just hit to handle it without insurance is NOT okay.

So on this, I've also found that even if reported to insurance, you can "settle" without them paying. I was hit a long time ago in Arlington. The other guy tried to play me but ultimately, even though we both alerted our insurance, he paid me out of pocket.

PP here and yes, that is often an option. I'm actually fine settling this way if that's how it shakes out.

But it seems that many parents tell their kids explicitly to ask to handle without insurance. It's a red flag. I don't know you, I don't know if you're going to pay me. I especially don't know if some teen driver is going to pay me -- they are usually driving someone else's car, on someone else's insurance. I want to feel confident that when I walk away, I will have recourse for any damages. If I get your insurance card, I can harass them to pay for damages if I need to. Don't tell your teen to ask to avoid insurance. It sends a very bad message to the other driver.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a lot of you are advising your teens based on the presumption that an accident will involve someone trying to scam them/you. This is weird.

Most accidents are resolved via insurance. There is no scam. Teen drivers are involved in more accidents than older drivers because they aren't as good at driving.

If you are going to let your teenager drive a car, you need to prepare them (and yourself) for the possibility that they might get in an accident, that they could be at fault, and that they will need to be responsible and handle it legally.

Yes there are scammers out there but I've been driving for more than 35 years and have never encountered one. I've been in a handful of small fender benders and they've all been handled relatively easily via insurance. Teach your kids how to deal with that normal, typical situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like a lot of you are advising your teens based on the presumption that an accident will involve someone trying to scam them/you. This is weird.

Most accidents are resolved via insurance. There is no scam. Teen drivers are involved in more accidents than older drivers because they aren't as good at driving.

If you are going to let your teenager drive a car, you need to prepare them (and yourself) for the possibility that they might get in an accident, that they could be at fault, and that they will need to be responsible and handle it legally.

Yes there are scammers out there but I've been driving for more than 35 years and have never encountered one. I've been in a handful of small fender benders and they've all been handled relatively easily via insurance. Teach your kids how to deal with that normal, typical situation.

this is dumb, as a teen you should be taught to be on the look out for scammers, especially in this area where many don't have driver's licenses or are on parole etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you take pictures, exchange insurance information, call the police if it appears to be more than a fender bender. Don't admit fault.

A lot of accidents can be the front driver's fault so don't be quick to think you are at fault if you are behind. I had one crazy lady at a stop sign pull into traffic then backup into my car cause she was an idiot, tried to blame me and say she hurt her neck. Another idiot boomer too old to drive backed up into my car that was parked in the lot, again they are at fault.

I think by law all vehicles should have tesla or dashcams as there are lots of scammers and idiot old people driving out there.

Can anyone recommend one that they like?

[Anonymous]

My boyfriend rides his bike to work and he has been hit by cars three times. Each time it has not been his fault. It has always been the cars fault.

Generally his bike gets bent somewhat.

It has always cost him over $100 to fix his bike so that it is rideable. Do not offer someone you hit on a bike $20. Offer at least $100 to fix the bike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid got hit by another kid. First thing out of the other kids mouth was, my parents said to get your information and for you to not call your insurance. My kid knew enough to take pictures of both cars and the other kids insurance card. Well as expected, the other kid had multiple accidents and parents wanted an all cash transaction. My kid called our insurance, told them what happened and dealt with everything. I was very impressed.

Your kid screwed over another kid. BYW Erie and Geico count not at fault accidents against young drivers. Geico dropped me for a not at fault with no payout with my 20 year kid.

[Anonymous]

OP's scenerio happened to my teen not long after he started driving.

He called me immediately and we stayed on the phone until I could drive to him. Fortunately it was just 15 min. away, and I dealt with the irate other driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with above - exchange information and get the other persons. They can say things like "i'm sorry" or "ok" if the other person is insisting its their fault without worrying about it. Each insurance company will see if there's any proof to whose fault it was and if not then they'll both find their driver wasn't at fault and cover their driver but refuse to pay for the others car.

Also - move so they're not blocking traffic assuming their car is drivable. And generally not bothering to wait for police if no one is injured, they don't need to come and often wont.

I rear ended someone once years ago. The cop told me “do not apologize” as advice. Just fyi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and one more thing, since this has come up for me:

Do not tell your teen to try and get the other driver to not report the incident to insurance.

I don't know if there are a lot of parents out there who apparently think they can make an end run around rising insurance rates by doing this, but it's a sure fire way to piss off the other driver. To me if someone asks to deal with an accident where they were clearly at fault (rear-ending) without insurance, it's a big fat red flag that either they've done this before or may try to screw me (or their parent may try to screw me). Don't do this. Insurance was designed for this specific situation, and asking a driver you just hit to handle it without insurance is NOT okay.

Thanks for this. I'm a new driver in my 30's and my dad would want the faulty driver to slide or he'd dumbly trust them. I DON"T want to repeat those mistakes.