My first fender bender in the fish

[BB73Challenger]

If you have a witness then ,yah don't call the police. But if you don't,it will end up being your word against his.

Police may not be a must - but an accident report IS to keep it from being he said/she said.
I gaurantee he didn't fill one out and it protects you in case you have to have your insurance sue for some reason.

Similar thing happened to my Mom, I insisted that despite the guy being a "good kid" who wasn't paying attention and bumped her car she fill out a police/accident report.
He gave her his number and even answered the 1st few days, till he realized the "bump" was acctually $1200 damage - bumper, trunk lid, tail light, yah even a minor bender adds up.

With her police report she went back to her insurance who quickly told the kid & his family to pay up or find a good lawyer.

It sucks it happened in your Cuda - saddly I drive looking to see what numb skull is drving poorly enough to hit me - but there is nothing you can do when they come up behind you!

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You should tell the kid that now your engine vibrates at 1500 RPM's, so he will have to pay for that too.   

[dutch]

  

[tommyg29]

where I live, and I've witnessed it twice, when the cop shows up, its more like, "oh, my neck is bothering me".
Happens all the time.

[dutch]

that`s why you guys have to pay big time for insurance....  the companies won`t sponsor the hobby... they will collect... 

[bb71challenger]

Here in this town if you dont call the cops and leave the scene then both parties can be ticketed. That being said, I got hit pretty good in my drive out car a few weeks ago and forgot about the citation thing and let the guy go because he said he would get fired. His uncle owns a body shop and fixed it all up. I was holding my breath until the guy fixed it because once you leave the scene the story always changes and people back down from feeling bad and basically will leave you hanging. If a fly poops on my Challenger when I get it done I am calling the cops on its ass lol.

[wagesofsin]

witnesses are great to have.

but they dont have to show in court, or at least remember the correct events occuring.

a police officer does ! 

and thats the bottom line.

[cudadave72]

Sorry to hear about that but at least it wasnt too bad. I would have lost it with that smart ass kid. I guess the good thing is that it could have been a lot worse!!!

[AARCUDADEN]

If that been my car that kid would still be looking for his teeth. Glad to hear the damage was minimal.

[Super Blue 72]

Well, first let me say I'm sorry you had the accident and that I'm really, really glad that most of the damage was removed. 

I guess how the kid acted at the time of the accident and how he is owning up to the accident is how I would pursue it.

If the kid was very apologetic and still fesses up to the accident, no BS about I didn't hit you or anything, then I would let it slide.  Let it be a learning experience to him and make sure that you give him a lecture about this (You're entitled, he hit you!).  YOu could have an estimate written up and kept on file but not go through with the actual repair.  This way the insurance has this on his record but it won't effect his insurance and his rates won't go up.  Also, the insurance may have a window period in which you can get the repair done so if you choose not to repair it now (assuming you get the estimate), then if you change your mind later, you can have it repaired if it looks bad to you still.  (Check these things with the insurance company though!)

If the kid was a total jerk (which it doesn't seem to be) or if he changes his story, rake him over the coals and teach him he has to own up and be responsible for his actions.


Here's my story.  I got hit by a lady earlier this year.  I got her info, she was very apologetic.  I got the estimate, didn't think it to be that much but it turned out to be $750.  I was going to get the repair but was a little hesitant to begin with because painted bumpers usually chip upon the first impact and I hate to lose the use of a daily driver for a week.  The lady called me and was so afraid that the insurance was going to go up because she didn't have much money.  She was in her ealry 20's, had a new baby,  spoke very little English, and worked part time at Dunkin Donuts.  I felt very bad for her situation.  The thing I thought about was about how God has mercy on us so we should have mercy on others.  So I gave her a little lecture about this and told her to take care of the baby, etc... I called the insurance company and cancelled the claim and they stated that I have a 3 year window period should I change my mind and want to get the reapir... 

[73Chally]

First off, how does the kid hit your car if he's supposedly looking right at it?  I call BS and bet he was texting or something else distracting.  Was any one else in the car with him or was he by himself?

Second, you should always call the police and get an accident report.  Just tell them up front (they'll ask anyways) that no one was hurt, and both cars are moved out of the way.  You will probably end up waiting a while, but in the long run it's worth it.  They are paid to do this work.  Yes, there are more important things for them to do, but you still need an accident report.  I'm actually kind of surprised the insurance company will pursue anything without one.

Third, get a repair estimate before you try to do anything yourself.  Once you start working on it, your estimate could be skewed and could hurt your case should you have to pursue it.  Besides, you will need an estimate for your insurance to file a claim.

Good luck, and I hope this all works out for you.

[BP23G0B]

The thing I thought about was about how God has mercy on us so we should have mercy on others.  So I gave her a little lecture about this and told her to take care of the baby, etc...

That was really big of you.   

[Super Blue 72]

That was really big of you.   

Thanks.