My first fender bender in the fish

[shadango]

 

I was out yesterday for a joy ride and just sitting at a light minding my own business....

Then, I felt the car bump forward....look in the rear view and all I see is the "oh my god" expression on the face of some kid driving his grandma's 92 cavalier.

I get out and look and his bumper is sitting under mine, up against the rear fascia...I was fuming.....I had him back up and my rear end dropped as his car slid from under.

We pulled into a nearby parking lot and he started in with how sorry he was but "Did I really hit you?" and all this mumbo jumbo.

It took all I had to not clip the kid.  One minute he was apologetic, saying he was so sorry and that my car was beautiful,  the next he was saying he didn't feel us hit or anything and questioning if he really hit me, then the next he is saying that he was "looking to see what kind of car it was" and must have rolled into me.

Then, he is on his hands and knees looking at the fascia saying he cant see where we hit....then I point out the marks/scratches.....he goes on to ask if I will try rubbing them off because he doesn't want to touch my car....I state that he is correct in NOT touching my car , as he has done enough already....Basically, I suggested he might want to keep his mouth shut and took his info.

Car was owned by a woman, he showed me his license and said it was his grandma's car.....had an under-21 license but I didnt think to catch if he was under 21 or not...could have been just over.  But I think he was like 17 or 18 maybe.  I aksed at one point if he was under the influence of anything, just becasue he was acting funny.....Maybe I should have called the cops, I dunno.   But I was so pissed...didnt care about anything but my car at that point.

I have to look at it this morning and see what kind of damage is done....hoping its just scuffs that I can rub out......then this all goes away.

Cant even go for a joy ride without some @ss clown screwing it up.

[DMZ73]

Geez, dude, you have all the luck.
Glad to hear that your car is on the road! Hopefully the damage is light and superficial.
I know it sucks.
At least its not too bad, and there werent higher speeds involved, and no one , including yourself were injured.
Dan

[tactransman]

Bummer.......always, always call the police. His story will probably change today! Get the police report when he is still "shaken up" and has his tail between his legs and you will have an accurate story of how it happened.

[wagesofsin]

Bummer.......always, always call the police. His story will probably change today! Get the police report when he is still "shaken up" and has his tail between his legs and you will have an accurate story of how it happened.

 

always , always ,always!!!

glad no'one was hurt.

[426HEMI]

I am glad no one was hurt but always call the police never know what the kid might do or claim.  Glad you car was not hurt any worse than it was. 

[dutch]

glad he didn`t make a hatchback out of the cuda, and you`re ok...   must be my worst nightmare, have the car finished and thrash it within a few weeks.... 
oh yea...  always ( ! )  call the cops if you suspect drugs or drinks ...  unless you want to kill him there ofcourse...   

[tommyg29]

you did the right thing imo. For "minor" accidents the police do not need to be involved. Unless the kid was drunk or high, its a waste of their time. Thats why you exchange information, and have a witness if possible.
I have experience with collecting from someone in that situation. Another college student hit my daughters car in the parking garage at school, and even though she got his DL info, he stopped answering his phone after a couple days and denied it later straight to her face! Fortunately she had a witness and the blue marks and dent on the car to prove it. I stepped in and went straight to his mama and got the money. Sometimes you just gotta settle things on your own.

[Oldschool]

That's a bummer...       

Glad the damage was minor and easily repairable and no one was hurt....        

[tactransman]

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.

[shadango]

Thanks all for the support.....

Luckily no one was hurt......either during or after the accident....LOL

The kid seemed realy apologetic in retrospect, though I still say he was acting goofy....

I have called the police before for relatively minor stuff like this...the first thing they ask is if anyone was hurt and if thecars are driveable....if it is "No, yes", they basically say they dont need to come out unless you want a report.........I went that route one time years ago and it ended up being a farce.  Didnt even file a report though I asked.

AT first glance it looks like I should be able to buff the sratches out......not sure if the marks will come out of my bumper.....

Luckily his car had really rubbery bumpers...so I am crossing my fingers.

[Rare_T_A]

You just reassured me why I don't drive my T/A on the main streets. I will only go on side or residential streets 'cause it's more controlled. Don't get that fast and can watch better in the intersections.

Best of luck with the marks.......I hope they come out for you.

[4Cruizn]

That sucks!  I would of probably pounded the kid and been in jail.   

[shadango]

That sucks!  I would of probably pounded the kid and been in jail.   

I was THIS close.

But then I remembered that a) I was a dumb kid once too and b) accidents do happen.......

It was actually one of my finer moments I guess.  LOL

[Katfish]

Bummer.......always, always call the police. His story will probably change today! Get the police report when he is still "shaken up" and has his tail between his legs and you will have an accurate story of how it happened.

Couldn't agree more, this has happened to me twice (you'd think I would have learned after the 1st time).
They change their story as time passes.  I had to take both to small claims to get my money.

CALL THE COPS!

[shadango]

After a little elbow grease the paint and fascia are fine......the scratches scrubbed right out.  I cant see any damage to it.  LUCKILY!

The bumper has a long mark on it though that wont come off......deep scratch is what I guess it is...vertical...about 3 ".

The bumper itself is not perfect as far as the chrome...it is covered with very fine pits...so it was needing to be rechromed at some point.....but some would call it "patina".

So, not sure if the mark is something I should let go or pursue.

On one hand its just a scratch.. On the other hand its on MY 72 Barracuda and why should I live with it?