What should I do about this teen accident?

Question

I was getting a ride with my friend and another guy in a two seater pickup truck. We are a bunch of teenagers. There was an extra little seat in the middle that I sat in. As we were driving, I accidental hit the gas, and we hit a jaguar in front of us. The damage was not bad, but the bumper will need to ne replaced for a lot of money because it was a jaguar. We resolved that I and her would split the costs of the damages. When I told my parents, they said she should pay for it with her insurance. If she does that, she will no be able to afford to drive, as she pays for her phone, car, gas, and is attending school full time. My parents say she is responsible for what happens with her vehicle, and she should not have driven me, while it really was my fault. I also am not going to be allowed to take part in negotiations either. I feel so bad and do not know what to do.

Answer 1

+1 to redbird

Answer 2

what's the problem, let her insurance pay and you can pay her back.

how can a passenger be responsible for the operation of the car?  sounds like an unsafe driving condition, maybe the insurance can use this as an excuse not to pay.

problem solved, pay her half.

Answer 3

I do insurance arbitration.  I just had a case I argued with another insurance company.  Our passenger caused us to hit another vehicle.  We are fighting saying that it was not our fault it was our passenger and to go after him.  You might want to pay or at least be prepared to pay incase his insurance goes after you or her insurance goes after you since ultimatley you caused both damages to both vehicles.  I don't know the outcome of the case yet but it is definately arguable who's at fault.  

On top of that the jaguar's insurance will likely come after her insurance, her or you.  Or her insurance will pay for both damages and may come after you anyways.  If you have the option to pay half and get it over with, it might not be a bad idea.  If not you may risk ending up having to pay for it all.

Answer 4

You're not seeing the big picture here. it's not that your parents don't want you to take some responsibility here but having the insurance company settle this will prevent you and the driver from being subject to future issues -- like, "my car isn't running correctly since the wreck", "my neck hurts", "I have decided you need to pay diminished value to me because my car was damaged". Any or all of these things could come up and it could cost you thousands and thousands of dollars just to hire a lawyer to defend you. Insurance protects you and the claims adjusters will settle the whole matter and get a release -- clearing the both of you from any future anguish.

Trust me on this one, pal...

Answer 5

I have raised three kids and I will give you the opinion of a "mature" person.  Although your parents are technically correct, they are morally wrong.  You already know that you are the one that caused the accident; and as a responsible person you have accepted both the blame and the financial responsibility.  Kudos to you.  Your parents did a really good job raising you, too bad they do not follow YOUR example because it looks like you are the mature one.  What can you do about it?  It doesn't look like you can do much if they refuse to work with you, but you might try again and be very persistent.  I know that they either don't want to or cannot shell out the bucks for this, but maybe you can persuade them to give you the money if you agree to get a job and pay them back.  Swear that you will reimburse them promptly, then make good on your word.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Well, I would let her insurance foot the bill and pay her half the bill without my parents knowledge. She is going to have the accident on her record for quite some time and her premiums will rise depending on age, s*x and driving record. I could not sleep without helping in any way I could.

Answer 7

Aside from the moral issues here.  You say, If she should pay for it with her insurance and if she does that, she will not be able to afford to drive.  When you mention cost Are you referring to a deductible?  If so, there shouldn't be a deductible she would have to pay.  There should be no cost to her at all (except for a possible future insurance rate increase).  I think since she has insurance, she should use it.  Isn't that what insurance is for ?  If you want to be a good guy, offer to pay for any rate increase she may get

Answer 8

In a rear end collision the driver of the vehicle that hit the car in front of it is at fault, period.  The Jaguar driver can go through her insurance to get her car fixed (she WILL have to pay her collision deductible), but her company will seek reimbursement, and get it, from the insurance company insuring the truck.  if she'd rather not get insurance involved and pay out of pocket you can certainly offer to help pay for the damage, but nothing stops her from denying that she "settled" with you, and she can still file a claim for the damage to her car and injuries if she wants.  Whether she'll get anything is another story, but when someone is at fault for an accident it's better in the long run to let insurance handle it.  The insurance company will defend the at fault party in a lawsuit, which might not get filed for years.  If the accident was never reported then the insurance company doesn't have to defend the at fault party, who is then on their own.  That's not a battle anyone wants to fight!