Rear-ended someone :(

[Crompee]

Always go through your insurance company (unless you only damage your own car).

[*RedBull*]

So today kind of sucked.. I was coming home from picking up my brother from his university and the weather was really rainy/groggy in the middle of the rush hour.. It was touch and go traffic at the lights so I accelerated but when I braked the car skidded into the one in front of mine.

There was only superficial damage on both cars (the other driver acknowledged as well and I offered to pay for it all) and wasn't all that keen on calling the cops or anything but then he said how his back could be hurting tomorrow. Anyhow we traded our information and though he sounded understanding given that I took responsibility for everything and it really was accidental and not carelessness or reckless, I feel a little apprehensive about the 'back pain' thing. He said he'd wait out a day and let me know tomorrow what he'll do and I'm simply hoping that he'll be understanding though I'm not counting on it.

Any idea what kind of financial damage I could be looking at, here?...I'm 24, and I haven't had any accident in 8 years or any speeding ticket in last 4~5 years. This is in Ontario, Canada.

Quick note: He was driving an old VW (probably 10 years old if not older), and I was a 2005 Corolla..

I've been there before. I bumped a lady in the shopping mart parking, she was dragging her ass to get over a speed bump and I wasnt' entirely engaged in driving at that moment. My car nudged her car creating a minor scratch on her bumper. I saw her get ouf of her car and looked fine. Her son called the cops, and as soon as they arrived she was acting like her neck was injured. An ambulance was called. Where I live police do not need to be involved unless there is more than 1000.00 worth of damage or bodily injury, which neither were the case. Her son told me while waiting for the cops that they, him and his mother, wanted to be safe than sorry eventhough we had exchanged insurance info. I immediately called the insurance to report what I witnessed. Nothing ever came of the situation. Apparently they had on record several other fender benders. The insurace company was very understanding and my rate never went up. I didnt' pay a cent.

So I suggest you contact your insurance company to protect yourself. The situation sounds a little fishy. Good luck, hang in there.

[shockz]

The police won't do **** in the US, i got in an accident before called the police they asked if the cars were still drivable i said yes(just cause there drivable don't mean they are in good condition), she told me call our insurance companies, that's it no police report no nothing

Maybe where you are, but each time I've been in an accident, the police came.

This lady rear ended me in August, I said I don't care, since it was just a tap, I didn't even know she hit me until she knocked on my window. She inisisted she call the police. They came and did all the paper work, gave us police reports, etc...

[CaptainSlow]

That's when you just take a soft hammer and bash it back :ninja: Body work is way too expensive.

Sorry about going off topic, but that comment made me think of this classic father ted moment...

[jonhapimp]

Maybe where you are, but each time I've been in an accident, the police came.

This lady rear ended me in August, I said I don't care, since it was just a tap, I didn't even know she hit me until she knocked on my window. She inisisted she call the police. They came and did all the paper work, gave us police reports, etc...

don't live in Dfw(shows like cops, and SWAT love our town) then(i lived in arlington)

[sc302 Veteran]

provided that there is no body work, it is about 500 per bumper to paint and 500 per fender and 500 per quater panel, and 500 per door. If there is body damage and any part of the body has to be filled or replaced that price goes up. A scratch on the rear bumper to get it repainted only is 500, expect that. If it is more or the driver is expecting any sort of medical coverage, call the insurance company. it is better for your ins premiums to go up than to deal with that. That guy, if he really is hurt, can take you for everything that you have and possibly everything that you are going to have. Even if it is crap all he has to do is get a dr to say some crap and then it is up to you and your lawyers to duke it out with him and his dr which will cost you a lot. Insurance also has lawyers and it is better going though them, if they have to pay out you better believe that they have their pockets covered with some good lawyers. Once the individual comes after you personally is when your lawyers come into play (and that guy can come after you personally ins or not, but the ins will be a buffer).

If it truly is a small bump get it taken care of without getting insurances involved, if it is anything more esp if there is a claim of any pain get your ins and cops involved.

Edited October 4, 2009 by sc302

[Arpit]

Thanks for all the replies. Went through the insurance, I can expect some rate hike though I'll find out the details on Monday. I can move on now.

[zivan56]

Change insurance company ASAP, since the other one will have no record of it yet. That should save you a year or so in terms of premiums.

I believe some people have done this and never got an increase due to some loophole...at least that's what people on Red Flag Deals suggest when you get into an accident in Ontario.

[Lewism]

Change insurance company ASAP, since the other one will have no record of it yet. That should save you a year or so in terms of premiums.

I believe some people have done this and never got an increase due to some loophole...at least that's what people on Red Flag Deals suggest when you get into an accident in Ontario.

I worked as an auto underwriter and when you will call the get the premium, they will ask whether you had claims or not. If you lie and say no, you will get caught. Sure it will work for the next days/weeks because the company needs to update your file for all other insurers. But your new insurance company, when they will find out that you had an accident, will cancel you policy and/or NOT PAY for your next accident and they will write a note for all your future insurers that you lied to them. Good luck finding a new insurer after that! "Have you ever had your policy canceled?" No we don't want you cheap liar.

As for the loophole, I am aware that you can't change a policy premium after it is written. However, they can cancel it without a 30 days notice.

[zeroday]

I've already accepted full responsibility for it. I just needed an idea on rest of the information; thanks for the info.

I thought the advice was to never admit liability in an accident, even if it was your fault. That way the insurance company isn't *forced* to make a payout.

[Crompee]

I thought the advice was to never admit liability in an accident, even if it was your fault. That way the insurance company isn't *forced* to make a payout.

If you go into the back of someone, its always your fault as far as insurance companys are concerned. You should of been a safe stopping distance away, even if they slammed on there brakes for no reason.. Its your fault for going into the back of them, as you wasnt a safe distance.

[Arpit]

I think this thread can be deleted/closed now. I went through the insurance so it's all dealt with now. Thanks for all the replies.