I rear-ended someone today. Advice?

I've never done this. I'm terrified the guy's going to make a huge claim. He was very friendly, and the only damage to his car was a couple of scratches -- not dents, not chips, not cracks, no broken glass, etc. -- to his rear bumper.

I asked him several times if he was hurt and he said no, he was fine. In fact those were the first words I asked him: "Are you okay?" He was. He walked fine when he got out of his car, walked to mine, walked back to his, back to mine another time. Gestured w/ his hands, head, nodded, shook his head, etc. And he sat back down in his car just fine. At one point I noticed him shaking and said, "My god, are you sure you're not hurt?" He said, "Yeah, it's just cold out here."

Obviously I gave him my name, phone, tag #, DL # & insurance info. I got the same from him sans phone & insurance -- didn't think I needed his insurance since I hit him. I keep a disposable camera in my car, and said to him, "I hope I don't offend you, you look like a really nice guy, but do you mind if I take a picture of your bumper?" He said that would be fine, but then I remembered the camera's in my car, and I had Kathy's car today -- yes, I did this in her car, not mine. (They're both ours, but you know what I mean.)

Oh -- no damage to my car, and although my muscles are extremely tight and I seem to have jammed my wrist, I'm okay.

I'm scared. Should I be? Any advice?

:)

You should be fine.

BTW, did hit 'em REAL hard -- no anti-locks. :(

I think you are in MD. Are they no fault? EIther way, there is nothing to be afraid of. If he is injured (and he may not FEEL it til tomorrow deoending on how hard you hit him) that is what insurance is for. Check your policy to determine the amount of coverage you carry.

I'm from CA, never had a wreck there, so this is my first wreck anywhere. Thanks for the advice.

And I'm guessing most don't get gouged.
And, worst case scenario, that's what insurance is for.

Right?

Don't worry. Watch some fun brainless TV and mellow
out your brainwaves.

n/t

made no report to MVA yet because no one was hurt. Please god, the guy wasn't hurt....

.....you might not be at fault. In Missouri, for example, some rear-end collisions are not the fault of the driver in the rear. It depends.

You really should have filed a police report. (Don't mean to be preachy; sorry.) In a very minor collision -- minor enough that the drivers look their cars over and agree to not call the cops -- there is no reason to trade info. If it was serious enough that you traded contact information, it was serious enough for a police report.

I have learned this from difficult personal experience.

Sorry, couldn't resist either....

Sorry about your accident. It sounds like the damage to his car was minimal. Take a long hot bath and maybe have a hot toddy or glass of wine. It's upsetting to be sure, but not the end of the world. It's more inconvenient than anything else.

You may be able to settle this individually. Try.

... ten minutes after it happened, but they laughed and said "it's okay, you have 24-48 hours to report it. Go home first." So I did. By the time I got home 2 hours later, the guy I ran into had already called them. hmm.

You call always call the guy tomorrow and see how he's doing.

Your insurance people will know if this is going to be a problem.

(I got hit 2 weeks ago by a charming lady. There was no damage to the car and no damage to me. I reported it to my insurance. No further action required.)

And even now I'm finding an aerial photo of where it happened, and writing a memo about the incident.

I was rear ended a few months ago, in my brand new car that I bought after I hit a moose in May. I've had some experience with insurance this year!!

Both cars were damaged, we called 911, and a state trooper came and wrote up a report. It was her fault - just as it will be yours. Sorry. :-( That's the joy of rearending someone. ahem...

A claims adjuster came by to take pictures and do an estimate on my car, from her insurance company. I had to take it to a body shop for an estimate - and between the 2 they came up with the ammount they paid. It's a little more than I need - not a bad thing.

Good that you took pictures. Try not to worry too much. The most important thing is that no one was hurt.

I got whip-lash just reading your posting. What's the name of your insurance carrier?

My insurance carrier stopped doing business in NH. ;-)
I don't think that had anything to do with me!!

It was Pawtucket Mutual from Rhode Island. Neither accident was my fault - and they were great during the moose incident.

edited to add - I didn't get hurt either time.

.....my posting was made to the original poster, but glad to hear you're OK.

I had a friend hit a deer on his motorcycle. Does that compare with hitting a moose?

Hitting anything on a motorcycle is always going to be way worse. I hope your friend is okay.

My carrier is Erie.

I'm retiring... hopefully the thread will stay kicked overnight. I need all the comments I can collect -- it helps.

TY, and 'night, all.

there's nothing to worry about. the worst thing you have to do is pay your deductible.

Like the nervous nelly I am, I was worried for nothing.

The person I hit was seventeen years old -- I knew he was young, but not that young. His mother called my insurance co., Erie, for him, isn't that precious? He's not hurt. Thank the maker!

I'm out of pocket not one cent. My liability insurance will cover their repair costs. Erie referred them to local body shops that the ins. co. uses & recommends all the time.

I've learned a lot. Thanks for everyone's support.

Now if I could just get my spine out of its current Z/L shape.... ;)

They are a series of stretches and mild exercizes that will break up the muscle spasm. Also if you can tolerate anti-inflammatory meds such as over the counter advil, take them on a TIMED basis around the closk (that is how they work best) for about 4 to 5 days to reduce inflammation.

A "whiplash" type injury creates microscopic bleeding due to tiny capillaries busting and forming scar tissues in the surrounding muscles in the spine...doing a combination of the exercizes and meds will heal you in short order if nothing else is wrong.

but glad it was for nothing.

:pals:

As to worrying for nothing: welcome to my world. :eyes: I wouldn't be me....

I only made a claim to his insurance company for repairs to my car, which came to $2,700. My whole back end was smashed. And I got a new paint job out of it.I hope the other driver is a good guy and only claims for the damages to his car. Did you or he call the police? I think that if there isn't a police report, there is not much he can do. At least, in some states that is the case.

You're fucked. The guy's gonna park his car on a railroad track and let a EMD Dash-Nine finish what you started....And the next time you see him, he'll be wearing a whiplash collar and claiming he sees flashing lights all the time.

And you don't have his insurance info or phone number....

just saw your update. Looks like you have better luck than I ever did.
I've been rear-ended twice. police reports both times. pretty bad damage to the back of the van. first time, it was a drunk chick w/no insurance who gave bogus info and disappeared. Second time, it was some yuppie broad who's Kung-Fu Looie boyfriend keep scowling at me and flexing. She gave bogus info and split too, "I'm sorry, she doesn't work here..."

I ever get rear-ended again, i'm gonna hurt the other driver so I'll get SOMETHING out of them...

but as to your post -- cynical much? Sorry you've had it so bad.

people act like that's a bad thing or something?
Hell, my own father tells his grand-daughter "You need to cut your old man some slack. He's had a rough life without a lot to smile about..."

Glad you like the sigline!

;-)
sorry
I just hadda.

n/t

where the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is not at fault - when the vehicle that is rear-ended is backing. When backing, you are supposed to yield to everyone.

My car was totaled when I was rear-ended at a red light by a 'moran' who didn't even slow down. I still have back and neck trouble from it. >(