I just had a minor car accident?

Question

in a parking lot, I was backing out, I had just started backing out of the space, I was about 1 foot out of it, and I felt a jolt, looked behind me and there was another car there. (I had checked the mirrors and things prior to backing out). The car on the opposite side was backing out at the same time, but he was more on my side when we hit eachother, but I think that was due to him backing out more quickly than I. I have very minor damage on my vehicle (A jeep) but his car on the bumper was totally smashed in (I nissan mirano). We both hit eachother on the driver side bumper. We both pulled back into our spaces, exchanged info. Before exchanging though, a 15-16 year old kid was driving and the dad came up to me and said "Let's just say it was me driving, he is just learning how to drive." I didn't know what to say, this was my first accident. My fiance said that it was my fault and I will have to pay the other persons deductible to get his car fixed even though we aren't getting ours

Answer 1

Difficult situation......the father knows if the boys driving and is considered at fault, his premium is going to skyrocket even more than it already is with a new driver at the wheel.

I need to correct 1 thing that was said in all of these comments.  Police do not make report on private property, it is out of their jurisdiction.  Police reports are also here-say only.  They take statements, look at damages, skid marks and then determine fault from that.  A lot of times there inconclusive without a witness statement.

It sounds pretty much like comparative negligence, 50/50.  Not being able to see the damages.  Insurance companies can still waive deductibles, but it's less likely because they know their not getting their money back from the other party.

Make the guy a deal, you'll look the other way in regards to his son driving and he can contact his insurance company & tell them it was a hit/run while the vehicle was parked.  This way, no one's insurance is affected and you can go your merry way and know that you did him a favor.

Answer 2

You were both at fault. You should always be looking out the back window when you are backing up. You should each pay for your own damages. If the dad doesn't want to pay his own damages - tell your insurance company the dad wasn't driving.

Answer 3

The first thing you should of done was call the police and have them make out a police report.

Remember this the next time you have a accident. Then the police can determine who was at fault.

Answer 4

First of all, always tell the truth, always!  There are a lot of car accident scams and you don't need to get caught up in anything like that.

Once you report this to your insurance company, it's there responsibility to have an expert claims adjuster investigate the accident and decide how it should be settled.  You may be asked to give a statement to both insurance companies but tell the truth as you know it to be.  Your liability insurance should cover "all" damage to his vehicle if you are found at fault.  If you had full coverage on your vehicle you will only pay the deductible on repairs to your vehicle, if you decided to claim damaged and have it repaired.

Rest you mind sweetheart, accidents happen, that's why we pay for insurance, but let your insurance company do their job and don't get caught up in any drama.  Most of us are shookup after an accident, that's normal.  Just remember never lie, never ever......

Good Luck To You

Answer 5

if it was me i would let the insurance know that a kid was driving the car

Answer 6

Its a case of equal blame and pay your own damages.

Its your responsibility to watch when you reverse, as is their responsibility.

Techniaclly, as he was further out than you, you should have waited.

I would refuse to pay their deductable. You are being far too nice and they are bullying you into paying.

Tell them to make the insurance claim, and when the insurance company phones you for your side of the story, tell them the boy was driving.

I suggest you go to a courthouse and police station now and make a report, and also a statement, and have it witnessed and signed by a JP, so that you have done the right thing.

Answer 7

usually in situations like that, the car insurance companies will split the fault, usually 50-50, unless there were witnesses and such that said otherwise.

the insurance companies usually handle 50-50 claims by having each person will have to pay for their own car to get fixed...

edit:  it just wanted to point out that kizzy said that police do not make reports if the accident happened on private property... but, I think she is wrong, because someone backed into my car on private property (walmart parking lot) and I have a police report.  and, they are not out of their jurisdiction... if someone gets murdered on private property, the police can still come to the scene and make a report.