Got into a car accident.

[dyslexsick]

Hello, I've never been in a car accident so I would appreciate some advice on this.

I was stopped at a toll looking for change in my car so I could pay the toll. At some point while I was looking for change my foot let off pressure on the brake pedal and I rolled into the car in front of me.

There was no damage to either car because it was a very slow bump but the person was very angry and called the police. The cop came and said there was no damage to either car so he told me I can leave and he doesn't think anything will be reported.

But today I got a letter in the mail from the other drivers insurance company saying they would like to discuss this claim with me.

If I call the other persons insurance company what kind of questions will they ask me? Should I report this incident to my insurance company first and let them deal with it. Or should I call this other persons company first?

 

[DeadByDawn]

let your insurance company deal with it would be my call.

 

[Heisenberg]

If it were me, I would let my insurance company deal with it. I would at least call my agent and ask for their advice.

 

[Drakkon]

sounds like the guy is trying to get money for "pain and suffering" or some crap.
They will ask you for your description of what happend, details about your car, what you did/saw.
another vote here for call your agent and let them tell you what the best course of action is

 

[Jeeebus]

NEVER... and I mean NEVER... did I mention the word NEVER... speak directly with another driver's insurance company, regardless of how minor any perceived damage was. You pay your insurance company a monthly fee precisely to deal with this sort of thing. Let them handle it.

 

[dyslexsick]

Thank you for the quick replies. So should I go to my insurance website and create a claim or just let them be notified by the other persons insurance?

 

[Jeeebus]

just call your insurance company and speak with your agent. They'll take it from there. If they tell you to file a claim, then do that.
Otherwise, if the other insurance company calls you again, just give them the number of your insurance company, which what your agent is going to tell you.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: dyslexsick
Thank you for the quick replies. So should I go to my insurance website and create a claim or just let them be notified by the other persons insurance?

Just call your agent and explain what happened. They will tell you what to do.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: dyslexsick

Hello, I've never been in a car accident so I would appreciate some advice on this.

I was stopped at a toll looking for change in my car so I could pay the toll. At some point while I was looking for change my foot let off pressure on the brake pedal and I rolled into the car in front of me.

There was no damage to either car because it was a very slow bump but the person was very angry and called the police. The cop came and said there was no damage to either car so he told me I can leave and he doesn't think anything will be reported.

But today I got a letter in the mail from the other drivers insurance company saying they would like to discuss this claim with me.

If I call the other persons insurance company what kind of questions will they ask me? Should I report this incident to my insurance company first and let them deal with it. Or should I call this other persons company first?

:thumbsup:

In the UK (i don?t know about the US), there is like a 4 second rule, where by if you are stationary for more than 4 seconds, ish, you have to put the handbrake on. Although no one ever does. But for insurance purposes if someone goes into the back of you and you hit the person in front, you need to make it clear the handbrake was on.

Aaaaanyway. I don?t quite see what you can be done for. Because there is no damage, and I am pretty sure they would not have a case for whiplash, if you were indeed only rolling slowly.

 

[dabuddha]

Yeah let your insurance company deal with it.

On a side note, this is why I usually pop my car into neutral when I'm stopped for a period of time. Especially if I'm rummaging for something.

 

[UDT89]

dont file a claim just yet. just call your insurance agent.

if you file a claim, and the other driver didnt, they will follow suit.

it might have been a "report only" type thing he did. you need your ins co. to find out more.

b/c if claims are filed thats when rates go up.

 

[UDT89]

sorry.

and for future reference always make sure the cop files a report. b/c a cop saying in his report there was no damage and/or speed of car at accident wasnt significant enough to cause damage is a SOLID piece of evidence.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: UDT89
sorry.

and for future reference always make sure the cop files a report. b/c a cop saying in his report there was no damage and/or speed of car at accident wasnt significant enough to cause damage is a SOLID piece of evidence.

I agree, and also it could have been a company car the other person was driving, if that was the case then he probably had to report it due to company policy (maybe)

 

[FoBoT]

the other dude is an ass, there is no damage! tell the guy/his insurance company to piss off, no damage

 

[EGGO]

The cop didn't happen to write a report, did he? Something like that wouldn't have caused damage, and it really sounds like no damage was caused. It was a slight bump, things like that happen sometimes.

 

[Cal166]

Yes, the other dude is an ass and a moron if it matters, his insurance will go up for something like this. Its like parallel parking in a tight spot and accidently hit the other car.

I remember couple years ago, friends and I were at a stop light, he accidently hit the gas and hit another car in front of him. Women got out look at it and said forget it, its not worth getting the insurance company involved. It was a very minor chip on an expensive suv too.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: dyslexsick

Hello, I've never been in a car accident so I would appreciate some advice on this.

I was stopped at a toll looking for change in my car so I could pay the toll. At some point while I was looking for change my foot let off pressure on the brake pedal and I rolled into the car in front of me.

There was no damage to either car because it was a very slow bump but the person was very angry and called the police. The cop came and said there was no damage to either car so he told me I can leave and he doesn't think anything will be reported.

But today I got a letter in the mail from the other drivers insurance company saying they would like to discuss this claim with me.

If I call the other persons insurance company what kind of questions will they ask me? Should I report this incident to my insurance company first and let them deal with it. Or should I call this other persons company first?

I would get an incident/accident report from the Police Officer,
that responded.

Take your car to your insurance agent, and have them take Photos.

 

[dyslexsick]

Originally posted by: Cal166
Yes, the other dude is an ass and a moron if it matters, his insurance will go up for something like this. Its like parallel parking in a tight spot and accidently hit the other car.

I remember couple years ago, friends and I were at a stop light, he accidently hit the gas and hit another car in front of him. Women got out look at it and said forget it, its not worth getting the insurance company involved. It was a very minor chip on an expensive suv too.

The first week I got my car about 6 years ago someone was parallel parking and slowly hit my car TWICE because it was in a tight spot. I was walking to my car so I saw the whole thing. I just checked for damage and there was none so I said it was ok and drove away. I can't imagine why you would want to make your insurance rates higher when there is no damage.

 

[zoiks]

Same thing happened to me except that I was driver in the car in front that was bumped at a red light. This lady who had stopped behind me mistakenly let go of the brake and her car moved and hit the bumper on my G35. I stopped to look and there was no damage at all. I told the lady that it was okay and we moved on.

 

[dyslexsick]

thanks for the replies