Teen Auto Accident- Help

[Anonymous]

Get a dash cam. Why the F in 2023 do people not do this for their teen?

[Anonymous]

So Police won’t do a report after the fact. You’ve both left, there is nothing for them to do. Most jurisdictions in the DMV also don’t do fender bender reports in parking lots.
If your DD wasn’t moving then she’s not at fault. You can’t hit a stationary car then says it’s that cars fault. It’s stationary.
At this point I would offer the $350 as you already agreed to. I would not pay the $1700. I also would not tell insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP- My concern is this is a he said, she said situation and the older mom is going to be believed. And that’s going to Jack up insurance for years even if it’s a no fault accident.

Mistake. Exchange information in this situation. Then go home immediately and call insurance and explain. This happened to me (though I was older). The other driver backed into me in my parking spot and got out and said "You hit me." Um, no. No witnesses. But I explained exactly what happened and he ended up paying me out of pocket.

[Anonymous]

If you pay the $350 she can then report it to her insurance and go for more money. She will use your $350 check as proof that you admitted your daughter was at fault. Then your insurance company can’t fight it at all and they may even drop you for admitting fault without calling them.

[Anonymous]

Let your insurance know and let them handle the investigation. Tell them you don’t believe you are at fault. If necessary are willing to pay the $350 quote only. There is no reason to pay the $1700. The timeline to get it fixed is not your problem or concern.

[Anonymous]

Yep, why would you agree to pay if she hit your car. I would call her and tell her that now that your DD has calmed down, she said that she was parked when the accident took place. And you'd be happy to go through insurance to get is resolved. Do not pay anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know there is no damage to your daughters car. Get the other drive to admit that she backed into you in writing and then hand it over to insurance to fix your daughters car. Tell the scum bug that you won't pay for the damages unless she put it in writing that she backed up into you. Then ghost her and send it to insurance.

Try this. You need to play hardball, OP.

Also, this isn't a question of who was in the driver's seat if the vehicle wasn't moving, OP. If you're really afraid that your daughter is not going to be believed, then lie and say it happened to you and you were there, not driving. After all, it's not the fault of either of you. Sometimes you need to be a bit sneaky to avoid hassle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You and your daughter both need to work on your assertiveness, and be crystal-clear on your rights and responsibilities as drivers.

If there is an accident, call the police. Take pictures. Write down the details of what happened. Then get your insurance company involved -- this is what you're paying for.

If your daughter dissolves in hysterical tears when something goes wrong, maybe she's not ready to be driving on her own just yet.

I know. It has taken me a long time post-divorce to stand up for myself at all and I hate that I can't do it now. But it's like I'm paralyzed with fear. I can't explain it. But I see the exact same thing happening with my daughter and I don't know how to stop it. The woman screaming at her set off her instincts- it was a very unusual reaction which is why I reacted by trying to appease the situation.

It sounds like going through insurance is best and letting them be assertive and let the chips fall where they will with her dad.

I just wanted to say that I know exactly how you and your daughter felt in this situation and want to thank you for telling your story. I have no specific advice for the insurance issue bc my oldest is still a few years away from driving. But by reading this post, I feel more mentally prepared for the eventual reality of things like this happening to my DDs and them screaming in fear that their dad will find out. My trauma reaction would normally be to freeze up and profusely apologize, just as you did. Now, you have me thinking about what I can do now to better prepare myself and my DDs to handle these situations differently. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

If you pay her even a dime, isn’t that admitting your daughter was at fault? What if the other lady then files for civil damages, citing loss in wages, medical issues, etc? I have no idea if this is possible but seems like you are opening yourself up to liability.

[Anonymous]

Go through insurance. If your daughter truly was stationary then she is not at fault. Don't let the bully win.

[Anonymous]

Get a dash cam for the future otherwise, yes, people will always try to put blame to anyone but themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s Geico so no personal agent which is why I can’t even call to ask!

Call them and ask. I think that fault is not likely to be assessed for private parking lot accidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you pay her even a dime, isn’t that admitting your daughter was at fault? What if the other lady then files for civil damages, citing loss in wages, medical issues, etc? I have no idea if this is possible but seems like you are opening yourself up to liability.

The obvious answer here is that OP doesn't pay without the other woman executing a full release of all claims related to the incident.

That's said, if your daughter's car wasn't moving I don't know why you would pay anything.

[Anonymous]

Omg go thru insurance

There is no reality where you do anything else

Big whoop fender bender ins covers this yes your kids rates go up

Next time teach your kid about parking lot accidents before they drive not after

These accidents mean you both pay no insurance company is finding fault with just one of you

[Anonymous]

I agree paying can be used as an admission of guilt. Send her a note and explain, that because it was not your daughters fault, you think both parties should pay for their own damage, but if she disagrees, she’s welcome to go through insurance. Then report to your insurance.