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Fender Bender On Way Home From Work

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  1. adamsapple19 adamsapple19 is offline

    Pueblo, CO
    United States

    Posts: 1,769
    Joined: Nov 08

    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 4:50am)

    It's been four months since Black Friday and I finally found and started a job yesterday (Monday). It doesn't pay much but it's better than nothing for now.

    Anyway I'm pulling out of the parking garage after my shift and I'm confused about the downtown area where I haven't spent too much time in my life. There are a lot of one way streets and construction. I was trying to find my way back to the interstate when I realize I've run a red light at low speed and into oncoming traffic. A small Lincoln is quickly approaching. I swerve to my left but it's too late. She breaks in time to prevent any significant damage to my small truck.

    I get out to inspect the situation and see that I have a moderate size dent in my passenger door. I ask if she is fine and she responds with a quick yes. A police care has apparently witnessed the accident because he is on scene within seconds without a phone care from either me or her.

    We pull off the road and I am cited for "Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Signal - Red Light". It's a 4-point violation and $85.00 fine. I have no problem accepting the points and paying the fine. However, my concern here is my insurance company. I have no interest in filing a claim for damages to my truck. I'll accept the ugly passenger door as-is.

    But do I HAVE to report this to my insurance company? And even if I don't, will she be filing a claim? Will I get in trouble with my insurance company if they find out a claim has been filed against me and I didn't report the wreck to them? I took a picture of her car with my phone and her front bumper is barely damaged. My passenger door dent is the bulk of the wreck of the damage.

    I've never been in a wreck before and am clueless how to handle this. Any advice/knowledge would be appreciated.

    Cliffs:

    -Got in fender bender.
    -Was cited for fault.
    -Very little damage to either vehicle.
    -I'm not interested in filing a claim with my insurance company for repairs.
    -Need to know repercussions (if any) if I don't inform my insurance company.
     
  2. tamayo85 tamayo85 is offline

    Addison, IL
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 4:54am) in reply to adamsapple19

    Hard to tell without pics of lady you got into the accident with
  3. midmoguy midmoguy is offline

    MO
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 4:57am) in reply to tamayo85

    Yes, her insurance company will file a claim against your insurance and your insurance rates will go up.
    Edited By: midmoguy Aug 24th, 2011 at 04:58 AM
  4. MattAKA MattAKA is offline

    Drysdale
    Australia

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 4:58am) in reply to midmoguy

    just pay out the qoute she gets and not report it?
  5. adamsapple19 adamsapple19 is offline

    Pueblo, CO
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:02am) in reply to MattAKA

     
    Originally Posted by MattAKA View Post

    just pay out the qoute she gets and not report it?

    I didn't get any of her info. The cop was on scene within seconds and we never even spoke except when I asked if she was OK and when I took a pic of her front bumper as I was leaving and apologized to which she said "It's not a big deal". I kinda got the impression she was going to let it go but I can't be sure.
     
    Thread Starter
  6. SerlinSteak19 SerlinSteak19 is offline

    Brooklyn, NY
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:13am) in reply to adamsapple19

    How in the world do you not ask to make sure what she will be doing especially when you know insurance will be a problem if she files a claim?
    Edited By: SerlinSteak19 Aug 24th, 2011 at 05:15 AM
  7. Mr323 Mr323 is offline

    Saratoga Springs, NY
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:17am) in reply to SerlinSteak19

    Yeah, no hate, but how do you not get any of her info? I'd take the wait and see approach if your instinct was that she wasn't going to report.
  8. Tilted0o Tilted0o is offline

    Holy See (Vatican City State)

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:31am) in reply to Mr323

    That's obv. what he wants to do, but hes not sure if he can. He wants to know if you HAVE to report it to your insurance right away? Will you get in trouble if you don't?

    That's in response to Mr323's wait and see approach.
  9. Shaaarrrp Shaaarrrp is offline

    Arlington, VA
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:34am) in reply to midmoguy

     
    Originally Posted by midmoguy View Post

    Yes, her insurance company will file a claim against your insurance and your insurance rates will go up.

    This isn't necessarily true....some insurance companies don't increase rates for a first accident and furthermore a lot of states have ridiculous laws where if an accident is even 1% the other persons fault, it's considered even fault.

    Just speaking on experience, I've been in 2 very minor parking lot accidents that were clearly my fault and both were deemed equal fault-even after I said I was the one to blame. My rates didn't increase either.
    Edited By: Shaaarrrp Aug 24th, 2011 at 05:35 AM
     
  10. BSherman2 BSherman2 is offline

    Tonawanda, NY
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 5:54am) in reply to Shaaarrrp

    Whether or not you need to report it depends on your policy agreement with your insurance company. Most police officers won't let you communicate with the other party involved in an accident once they are on the scene, so it would be tough to exchange information. Realistically the other person will be filing a claim through your coverage once they obtain a police report, so not reporting may just be delaying the inevitable. Comparative negligence laws depend on the state but this seems like a pretty standard 100% negligent situation especially if the point of impact is your passenger side door.

    Bottom line, your insurance company will probably have to pay for this.
  11. norcaljeff norcaljeff is offline 2010 OT Thread Kill Leader

    San Francisco, CA
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 7:26am) in reply to adamsapple19

    wait and see. if she files you will be screwed (rightfully. no offense). if she doesn't no worries. there's nothing you can do at this point. imo

    ps I see no reason why you would have to file
  12. Lameass_ Lameass_ is offline

    WI
    United States

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    Aug 24th, 2011 (8/24/2011 2:24pm) in reply to norcaljeff

    why would you have to file a claim on this?
  13. krispycream krispycream is online now

    PA
    United States

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    Aug 25th, 2011 (8/25/2011 1:33am) in reply to BSherman2

     
    Originally Posted by BSherman2 View Post

    Most police officers won't let you communicate with the other party involved in an accident once they are on the scene, so it would be tough to exchange information.

    Not sure this is right, at least in PA. Just had the same thing happen, accident coming home from work. The police were already there, eating at Chic Filet. Anyway, after the one cop verbally raped the one guy for no reason, then he just sat there as the 3 of us involved all exchanged info.

    If you were the one at fault, she is going to file a claim against your insurance to collect the money for damages to her car. Do you know what was filed in the police report, who was cited for being at fault? If for some reason it's her, I wouldn't worry about it, but otherwise a claim has probably already been made for this.
    Edited By: krispycream Aug 25th, 2011 at 01:34 AM
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