I rearended somebody...and not the understanding type!!

[Rock'n Robin]

Today I got stuck at a train on my way home. One of my earrings fell out and I looked down to get it and idled right into a taurus in front of me. I did not see any damage, but of course she did. I gave her my insurance card, which expired in June (I didn't know that--the policy is good, DH probably just didn't give me the new card as his company insures me, which is another problem I'll face when I get ahold of him). She was very snotty and kept looking at me like a criminal--she even checked my VIN number! She said "this isn't your name!" And I told her it was DH's company--I emphasized that it is a SMALL company!
I am just afraid she is going to milk this--For pete's sake, I wasn't even going 5MPH . I have never done this before.
I just talked to SIL who works in records for the city police dept.--she said I need to file a report and this woman may file one, and if I don't I'll be cited--but she is going to meet me down there so I get in and out fast. She can't believe the woman only gave me her name when she has my name, phone #, place of work and DH's company information, so she thinks the woman is going to try and milk it.
So much for our Florida weekend getaway!!
Send some pixie dust my way PLEASE!!
Robin M.

 

[Jingle]

It's very unlikely you caused any damage to her vehicle. It really irritates me when people try and get everything they can, even when they don't deserve it. Good luck with everything!!

 

[Pam]

Oh Robin..............

Were there any witnesses there? The lady did not give you her phone number or anything? I would try to contact her and get some photographs of both your car and hers, and if there were any witnesses, get a statement from them! Good thinking of hustling down there to file a report.

This may sound silly, but I would recommend carrying a small camera either in your purse or car. This is twofold, you have a camera at all times to document events that crop up like this, and you're never caught off-guard when your kids do something great.

I wish you well - that lady sounds like she will be trouble with a capital "T".
Pam

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Sorry, but I take a different approach. You were not paying attention and you hit her.

I think she was just trying to protect herself - especially with you not looking like you had insurance.

 

[Margie J]

Having been on both ends of this situation I can say that people can get a bit "pissed" even if there is little or no damage.

I once "rear ended" a car while waiting in line for a car wash. Similar sort of situation, I had leaned over and just tapped the car in front. There wasn't even a scratch on either car. The woman in front got out of her car and insisted that I give her my insurance info. At that point I refused ... there was no "accident" IMO. There were plenty of witnesses to back that fact up too. I was also afraid she'd try to sue me for some possible prior damage. When she started the "what if I have pain later" crap I knew she was trouble. All I could tell her is that if she was in a real accident she'd know it.

I was also in a real rear end accident where I was rear ended. There was significant damage to my car and I wore a neck brace for a while. In that case both of us did exchange all our info. It's the right thing to do. I also filled out a full police report. Just ask for one at the district office the accident occured in and file it there. It can protect you in some cases if someone tries to claim something months later.

Carrying a camera in the car is a great idea. It's best to get visual proof on the spot.

 

[RoqueC]

I'll send ya some Pixie Dust!

 

[Laurabearz]

(((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))

My friend hit a parked car and caused very little damage( dented his license plate holder), but she left her phone number and name along with a note saying how sorry she was.....

The guy was a real jerk to her from the get go..... and claimed 1500 bucks worth of damage.....

YOu would think he would of been a bit nicer, sicne she didnt have to leave a note..... plus the damage was so little he would have NEVER noticed it, if she didnt write him....

Some people

 

[RoutemanDan]

Always call the police no matter how small the accident.I hope everything works out for you.

 

[peg2001]

I agree with the previous post. Get an onsite police report, if possible.

My brother was rear ended with damage by a teenage boy last year. My brother is very laid back and calmly exchanged information with the boy and they did have a police report made out in a nearby parking lot. Later, the boy's father called my brother and expressed his appreciation for how he handled the accident and the fact that he did not get all mad and yell at the boy.

On the other hand, we had someone intentionally rear end us at a red light because he was mad we got into the turning lane in front of him (ok, to be fair, some may say that my husband "cut in front" of him). He was yelling and cussing at us and with my two kids in the car, you can bet that I was fired up at the intentional "ramming." It was at a low speed but damaged the tailgate of the van such that it had to be replaced, not repaired. He then proceeded to leave the scene so we pulled over and filed a report. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and his insurance ended up paying for our repairs. Luckily, we were able to copy down his license plate before he got away.

Peg

 

[caitycaity]

i'm not taking sides, but you should try to be more careful next time. a friend of mine was involved in a similar accident, where there was little damage to the cars, but a jaywalking pedestrian's leg was crushed between the two cars.

i'm glad no one was injured.

 

[WDW2002]

One thing I learned by the few accidents I have had is always get a police report. I didn't and believe me, 2 of the 3 times the other driver (at fault) did not report it and I had to be very persistent to get the repairs done.

 

[aprincessmom]

Sorry, but I take a different approach. You were not paying attention and you hit her.
I think she was just trying to protect herself - especially with you not looking like you had insurance.

I have to say I agree with this. I don't know necessarily that she's trying to milk it. Given the circumstances you described, she let you off pretty nicely. If it were me and I saw the expired insurance card I would have called the police because in my state that means you are driving an unregistered vehicle.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

UPDATE
You are all right, I wasn't paying close enough attention, and I'm amazed I haven't had any accidents before now (I'm 39).
I filed my report and have a Oct. 11 court date--here's what will happen--I will plead not guilty and have a trial date set--then at trial I will hopefullly be able to get the moving violation pled down to an equipment violation. I will be cited for causing an accident and I'm fine with that. The other driver will be subpoened.
I am just worried that this woman will show up with a neck brace, etc. They were able to get all of her info. at the police station with just her name--she has a 2001 Taurus. Since she has a 10MPH bumper and so do I, she should not have any legitimate damage. My air bag did not go off and my foot was not on the gas, so I couldn't have been more than a hair past "idle".
the officer looked at my van and verified there was no damage, since she (the officer) will be subpoened for the trial date.
Actually she suggested I take this strategy since if I have a moving violation, the insurance company will double=dip any increase due to the fact I would have points on my license. If it is an equipment violation that won't happen. Also, if the woman does call and say "well let's not go to the insurance company you can just give me x amount of $$ and we'll forget it", I can say "sorry, I already filed a report." So I am covered if she is honest or if she is not. It's a shame in these days you can't be sure if people will tell the truth or try for more money.
Robin M.

 

[Boots]

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

 

[Tinkbell]

Oh, I'm so sorry. I can really sympathize with you. A couple of winters ago I lost control of my car on an ice patch. I rear ended a tow truck that worked for an auto body shop. Sounds ideal, right? The shop was nearby and the guy told me to drive there to exchange our information. My car was the only one with damage. He said he would not have to do any work on his truck. When I got home he called me and asked if I would be using his shop to fix my car. I told him I already have a place that I am satisfied with. About a half an hour later my insurance company called and told me that this guy said that he had $2,000 worth of damages.

I went directly to the police station and told them the whole story. They went to the auto body shop and took pictures of the "damaged" truck for me. Luckily, I got the plates of the truck that I hit. There was another truck that was damaged on the lot and this guy was going to try and make a claim on that truck. If I had not gone to file a police report, he probably would have been successful. This jerk obviously liikes to be in the middle of accidents so that he could get business.

Anyway, sorry for my long story. I hope this lady is not a jerk.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I had something similar happen to me when I worked as a paramedic. My foot slipped off the brake while stopped at a light. I very lightly rear ended the car in front of me, there wasn't so much as a scratch on either car. We were always told that any accident with an ambulance, no matter HOW minor you get the police there and get the information. I asked the women for her info and told her the police were on the way. She said there was no damage and she didn't have time to waste. I insisted and she basically said too bad and drove off.
Several hours later I get a call from a police officer. The women was in the emergency room complaining of neck pain. He asked me what happend and I explained it.
He called me back 20 minutes later and said her neck pain was gone and she signed herself out. Apperantly he went in there and told her that as soon as she was medically cleared he was going to arrest her. She admitted that she refused to give me the information and it is a crime to refuse to leave the scene of an accident without providing it She decided all on her own that forgetting the whole thing was a very good idea!

 

[minniecarousel]

Hang in there Robin! My Sis was rear-ended at a stop sign recently, which made her hit the car in front of her. The car that rear-ended her took off - she didn't have a chance to get the lisence plate #! arrgh!!
Just hope that the woman was just suspicious that you didn't have an updated insurance card. Hope it works out OK.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

BTW I had my agent FAX me a copy of my current card so until the copy she is typing up comes in the mail, I have one in my glove box. I could kill DH. I bet if I waded through his desk at work I'd find it in an envelope. Since he fired his secretary he has had way too much on his plate.
Robin M.

 

[Pugsley]

It's very sad to me that people get so worked up over little things like having their car barely hit. I can't believe you have to go to court over this! I had someone rear-end me in my brand new car last year. There was a little damage, but I just didn't see any reason to make a big deal out of it. She didn't do it on purpose and I didn't think she deserved to have to go through a big hassle and have her insurance rates jacked up for a small dent on my car. It's just a car, and it is going to have dings on it. I wonder how the heck these people handle REAL problems in their lives.

 

[AirForceRocks]

YOu would think he would of been a bit nicer, sicne she didnt have to leave a note.....

I agree, the guy sounds like he was being a jerk. However, I was under the impression that in a situation, the driver must leave a note or wait until the other person returns. Otherwise, wouldn't it be considered hit and run? I'm not sure, but I thought a note was required in a situation like this.