Fender bender today-how to handle from here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Yes, the "bumper" you are is just the surface cover. He should get his car checked out and be compensated if there's any damage consistent with the accident. Also been there is damage that looks minor and costs multiples of the original estimate before they take it apart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Yes, the "bumper" you are is just the surface cover. He should get his car checked out and be compensated if there's any damage consistent with the accident. Also been there is damage that looks minor and costs multiples of the original estimate before they take it apart.

I meant the bumper you see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Ok, I hope you never make a mistake...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Yes, the "bumper" you are is just the surface cover. He should get his car checked out and be compensated if there's any damage consistent with the accident. Also been there is damage that looks minor and costs multiples of the original estimate before they take it apart.

I meant the bumper you see.

IME, what appears to be minor still costs a lot because the body shop is billing insurance. Or, to be less cynical, it costs what it costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder this too. So should op call their insurance company and speak with customer service to make them aware or just wait it out until his insurance reaches out and then insurance company calls op? I feel like I am not sure a proactive call by op to insurance company needs to happen as that may count against them in future insurance costs/claims

Something similar happened to me last year. Minor bump, no visible damage, exchanged information. I did not call my insurance because I didn’t plan on filing a claim. My insurance called about 8 months later wanting information about the incident, as the driver was looking to get reimbursed for having their car evaluated. They said I should have called the day it happened. Never heard a peep about it again after that. If you know the other driver is going to file a claim I would notify your insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call you insurance soon and give your version of events. He already called his, so let the insurance companies work it out. Your insurance company knows what to do, it's their business.

Keep going on with your life. There's nothing to worry about.
If he comes to your house, just call the cop.

I tried to call but my insurance company is not open. Should I follow instructions to report a claim or just call back to speak with customer service once they reopen in morning?

Call your insurance as soon as you can, mostly to protect yourself in case he filed a bogus claim regarding his medical condition. Provide information while it’s still fresh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Ok, I hope you never make a mistake...

I kind of agree with the PP. OP is very dismissive and it is a huge inconvenience to have to get estimates and repairs on your vehicle. Causing that really means you owe an apology.

As for what to do, I scraped a car in a parking lot - left my information. Total damage was $1400. My premium increased by $3700 per year and that was my only accident in 20 years. I ended up finding a different carrier. But OPs problems might not be over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder this too. So should op call their insurance company and speak with customer service to make them aware or just wait it out until his insurance reaches out and then insurance company calls op? I feel like I am not sure a proactive call by op to insurance company needs to happen as that may count against them in future insurance costs/claims

Something similar happened to me last year. Minor bump, no visible damage, exchanged information. I did not call my insurance because I didn’t plan on filing a claim. My insurance called about 8 months later wanting information about the incident, as the driver was looking to get reimbursed for having their car evaluated. They said I should have called the day it happened. Never heard a peep about it again after that. If you know the other driver is going to file a claim I would notify your insurance.

There is no right answer.

Meaning if you call your insurance and guy decides not to file a claim you are screwed. My daughter (new driver) slightly bumped a women's bumper with a new Mercedes. She was in my car and she called my insurance company reported it. I was mad.

Anyhow the women contacts me and says I can get bumper buffed out at dealer for $350 so I rather you just pay me than have my Mercedes tagged on Carfax as in an accident. I call Geico and they tell me even if I cancel claim I am charged with an at fault accident.

I contact women and she was mad as she wanted me to pay her $350. I said I cant as my insurance going up as daughter called. I then said if you call your or my insurance you will be listed as a not-at fault accident which may raise your rate at renewal and car will be tagged by carfax. In end my insurance never paid out and my rates went up.

Funny part is Geico had no picture other car, they asked me picture of my car and my car had zero mark on it. Geico said we might have not paid anyhow. How did your daughter his somene and not a mark on her car. My car was a little tiny Chevy and her was a Mercedes SUV. He had a point.

Roll the dice do nothing or call. Either way a dice roll.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want people to be rude to you, maybe don't hit other people's cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

My father drove a limo 70,000 miles a year on average for 25 years. He never had a single accident, moving violation or parking ticket. He was very big on leaving space between car in front to move out of way and constantly looking in rearview mirror. and left to right He would be the guy driving between groups of cars. He always say you are only as good a driver as the other drivers around you and the condition of their brakes and tires so be alert to all the other drivers.

I recall he point out teen drivers, older beat up cars, distracted drivers. And he did not have radio on or talked much at all when driving. He pay attending. He drove almost two million miles. I recall he buy a new car every two years. And his cars with 140,000 miles look brand new. None had ever gotten a scratch,

If you had two accidents in three years it is partially you. I recall my dad even know what roads not to take and what to take.

[Anonymous]

A young guy hit the rear bumper of my 10-year old car. We exchanged info, but I decided not to file a claim because I couldn't see any damage and it was an old car. The biggest concern would have been if there were any injuries. I would always file a claim if I suspected that anyone was injured.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder this too. So should op call their insurance company and speak with customer service to make them aware or just wait it out until his insurance reaches out and then insurance company calls op? I feel like I am not sure a proactive call by op to insurance company needs to happen as that may count against them in future insurance costs/claims

Something similar happened to me last year. Minor bump, no visible damage, exchanged information. I did not call my insurance because I didn’t plan on filing a claim. My insurance called about 8 months later wanting information about the incident, as the driver was looking to get reimbursed for having their car evaluated. They said I should have called the day it happened. Never heard a peep about it again after that. If you know the other driver is going to file a claim I would notify your insurance.

There is no right answer.

Meaning if you call your insurance and guy decides not to file a claim you are screwed. My daughter (new driver) slightly bumped a women's bumper with a new Mercedes. She was in my car and she called my insurance company reported it. I was mad.

Anyhow the women contacts me and says I can get bumper buffed out at dealer for $350 so I rather you just pay me than have my Mercedes tagged on Carfax as in an accident. I call Geico and they tell me even if I cancel claim I am charged with an at fault accident.

I contact women and she was mad as she wanted me to pay her $350. I said I cant as my insurance going up as daughter called. I then said if you call your or my insurance you will be listed as a not-at fault accident which may raise your rate at renewal and car will be tagged by carfax. In end my insurance never paid out and my rates went up.

Funny part is Geico had no picture other car, they asked me picture of my car and my car had zero mark on it. Geico said we might have not paid anyhow. How did your daughter his somene and not a mark on her car. My car was a little tiny Chevy and her was a Mercedes SUV. He had a point.

Roll the dice do nothing or call. Either way a dice roll.

Your daughter hit another car. Stop minimizing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

This, our car was parked in front of our house. Good great working car. Someone smashed completely into it claiming they fell asleep but they were really on their phone. We barely got any money from insurance and it cost us a fortune to replace it. No apology, nothing. It also took months to get a pay out with no loaner car from their insurance (we got offered a week but that was useless given it took months for the pay out). We got screwed over big time while the driver didn't even get a ticket or anything. Apparently this wasn't the first time according to our insurance either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: I have been rearended twice in the last three years. The rushed, selfish drivers in DC are just so aggravating. And being a parent is no excuse. My kid played a competitive sport at a national level and I drove them one hour each way three nights a week after a long day at work, for several years. I never rear-ended anybody. Yes, it's an accident, but having been rearended twice in three years by people like you who seem to think that being harried is an excuse, is just extremely frustrating. Do you know how much time that guy is going to have to take out of his life to get his car looked at? I had one guy run into me after I had just come to a stop at a stop sign and because my car was 8 years old and had a little ding in the bumper already, assumed I didn't have to get it fixed and seemed very taken aback that I was a little annoyed at having to stop, exchange information, etc. My car needed the entire bumper replaced, despite just what the driver saw as a couple scratches. It was a huge pain. Please stop acting like that guy did something wrong just because his car was old. You were harried and careless and he doesn't deserve that.

Ok, I hope you never make a mistake...

If they do, they should pay for it or work with insurance to get it covered. That is the point. You are careless and you should pay for the damage and time to get the car fixed as well as a rental.