I was in a Fender Bender...?

Question

Today I ran into the back of someone. It was very minor, there was no damage to my car, but I very slightly dented and split his bumper. (His car was very old and mine is new with a strong bumper) We exchanged details and I took a couple of pictures. I was very apologetic and nice, he was incredibly rude. I called my husband who came down and proceeded to shout at this guy when he was driving off.

Now I have no idea if I am meant to report his damage to my insurance company or wait???

I am worried that because my husband shouted at him that he will try and pull something, what could he do???

What will happen to my insurance or license??? (I live in California)

Answer 1

Since it is you fault and the damage is not much.  I suggest that you contact him to see if you can paid for the damage to his car.  This happened to my wife last year.  We ended  up paid the guy 200 to resolved the accident.

Answer 2

First of all, did you get a police report of the accident?

You'd have to wait until the other driver gets an estimate for repairs, which you should get in writing, before submitting it to your insurance company.  As a result your premiums may go up.

Answer 3

You ran into the back of someone, and damaged his car.  That makes it your fault.  Contact your insurance and let them know about it, so they can pay for damages when he contacts you.  Get a claim number, and give him that and your insurance phone number when he calls you.  I don't understand your reference to him "pulling something".  What could he do?  He could receive compensation for his damage.

Answer 4

Call your insurance company...NOW!!  He's the type of person thats going to come back with more damage & injury just because he's not a nice person & because of the situation with him & your husband.  Two scenarios:

If you try to handle it on your own with this other person...he could well claim more damage, you pay him....a bit down the road he comes back and says there's more damage they found..your paying again. We'll say 1,000-1,500 in 1 lump sum.  If you go to your insurance company after all this happened, they have no proof that he's claiming damages that didn't happen in your accident.

If you go to your insurance company now, they take photo's, do repairs and it's done & over with.  Your premium does go up because you are at fault for an accident...and your premium may go up 1,000 over a period of time.

You pay a premium for insurance coverage, use it to your advantage.

Answer 5

If the damage was over $750 you have to report it to the DMV.  If you tell your insurance  company, they will probably file the form.  Don't trust your own judgment about what a new bumper is worth.  Let the insurance company decide.  

You have the option of not notifying the insurance company, and handling the DMV report yourself, but you need to understand the risk.  If you get sued for a neck injury or whatever, and you call on your insurance company to handle it, and if your delay in reporting the claim causes the company any harm, such as making it impossible to send the plaintiff to a doctor promptly after the accident, then the company can escape from the obligation of coverage because of your breach of your contract obligation to promptly notify them.

I don't think your husband's yelling will have any effect on the matter.  If there is a claim by the other party, that probably would have happened anyway.

If you do the DMV report properly, nothing will happen to your license.  If you file a claim with the insurance company, maybe your rates will go up and maybe not.  The insurance agent will probably answer the question honestly if you ask.

This answer must not be relied on as legal advice for the reasons posted here:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-4_naw9I8e...

And I am not your attorney.

Answer 6

Call the police first and fill out a report. If the accident was in a parking lot or on private property, then you wouldn't need to call the police b/c they won't come out unless there is a dispute b/w the drivers.

Next step is to call the other guys insurance company. They'll transfer you to talk to claims dept. You make a claim with his insurance.

Then call your insurance and make a claim with your insurance. If you have a police report, both insurance companies will ask for the report when you call in to report the damages.

Las Vegas has some of the worst drivers in the world, and we all despise California drivers (no offense on my part). It's a very unfortunate and stressful situation, but it happens. I've been in your shoes plenty of times. Just remember to report and make a claim to your insurance and the other driver's insurance. Later, they'll send out their adjusters and hopefully you can work it out from there. Good luck.

Answer 7

For God's sake, report this to your insurer NOW. That way they can head-off any c**p this dink may try and pull on you, i.e; "oh, my back, oh, my neck, oh, I can't work, oh, I need $20,000, etc, etc)