need some accident advice...

[wasssup]

For starters I drive a '99 civic coupe and the other individual was driving a Santa Fe (not sure what year). And yes, before anyone starts, I know it was my fault.

On the way to work this morning I was involved in a "fender bender" - I was coming off a jughandle and the person in front of me started to go, I looked left to make sure no cars were coming but didn't realize she had hit her brakes. I ended up hitting her..

We stopped off to the side, she didn't have much damage (the bottom center of her bumper was cracked..also, to note, her bumper was some type of gray unpainted plastic). I offered to pay for the damages rather than go through insurance.

Well, she called later and left voicemail on the phone - she said it came out to ~$1000 to replace the bumper, and she noticed one of her taillights was chipped (not sure how since my car is so low off the ground), plus she wants me to pay for her car rental (i don't think it takes more than a day to replace a bumper and possibly a taillight).

Anyway, think it's worth going through insurance or should I pay up?

(Side note: I also got a ticket for careless driving which sucks. I know it was my fault and all, but she stopped short supposedly because somebody wouldn't let her through. I think the punishment's a little harsh, think something like this can be worked out with a prosecutor?)

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

sounds about right. If the bumper needs to be painted, it might take a couple of days at the shop.

and WTF is a jughandle?

 

[ViviTheMage]

what is your deductible and age?

 

[wasssup]

I'm 26, and since my car is "older" I recently dropped comprehensive, so insurance won't fix my car just hers.

And here's what a Jughandle is..

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
sounds about right. If the bumper needs to be painted, it might take a couple of days at the shop.

and WTF is a jughandle?

Thing is I don't think it needs to be painted, it was just a gray plastic type of bumper. Maybe I'm wrong (should've snapped pictures).

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: wasssup
I'm 26, and since my car is "older" I recently dropped comprehensive, so insurance won't fix my car just hers.

And here's what a Jughandle is..

interesting...

 

[ViviTheMage]

26, I would let the insurance company handle it...unless you have 1000$ to spare.

I have almost gotten in those types of accidents, I guess being more cautious would help me out...hopefully I never get in one like you!

 

[goatjc]

I would go w/ insurance. It's going to get pricey esp. if she's wanting you to pay for a rental b/c who knows how long its going to be in the shop. I got hit and my car was in the shop for a good 2 months for this type of "fender bender" accident, which I was rolling around in a rental. God knows why they had it in there for so long, but I didnt really mind. . .but I'm pretty sure after the total cost of the rental+damages to my car, the insurance company should of totalled it.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: wasssup
I'm 26, and since my car is "older" I recently dropped comprehensive, so insurance won't fix my car just hers.

And here's what a Jughandle is..

Why would comprehensive have covered this? Don't you mean collision?

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: wasssup
I'm 26, and since my car is "older" I recently dropped comprehensive, so insurance won't fix my car just hers.

And here's what a Jughandle is..

Why would comprehensive have covered this? Don't you mean collision?

probably..

 

[PingSpike]

The company probably has to order parts, which will lengthen the time it takes to repair it. Thats assuming the shop isn't otherwise backed up as well. Modern cars seem less likely to explode when hit, but their bumper implodes when you bounce a shopping cart off them.

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: goatjc
I would go w/ insurance. It's going to get pricey esp. if she's wanting you to pay for a rental b/c who knows how long its going to be in the shop. I got hit and my car was in the shop for a good 2 months for this type of "fender bender" accident, which I was rolling around in a rental. God knows why they had it in there for so long, but I didnt really mind. . .but I'm pretty sure after the total cost of the rental+damages to my car, the insurance company should of totalled it.

hm just spoke to her, said she wants $50 total for the rental. So I'm looking at about $1060. I told her I would write something up showing that we settled w/o insurance, any recommendations as to what to put in it so I can't get jacked? Or maybe point me to some sample letters?

 

[buck]

I would let the insurance handle it, that sucks man, I am sorry for you.

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
26, I would let the insurance company handle it...unless you have 1000$ to spare.

I have almost gotten in those types of accidents, I guess being more cautious would help me out...hopefully I never get in one like you!

I've got a decent paying job and am a cheapass (need to buy a car, even more so now but my goal was to save up for a house) so I have a decent sum saved up. Cheap bastards like me hurt inside when money is wasted like this..

 

[wasssup]

I noticed a lot of people are saying go through insurance. But wouldn't that cause my rates to go up?

*EDIT* or will they go up regardless? I'm not sure if she already called my insurance company and notified them, wouldn't be surprised.

 

[digiram]

Go through insurance. My wife was in an accident a couple years ago, and she was not at fault. However, she made some mistakes for she was scared(I guess) and no one ended up being at fault. So, I went through Geico to get my car repaired and I there has been no increase on my rates at all. In fact, a year later my rates went down.

Bottom line is. This is why you pay some amount of money to them each month. When crap happens, make sure you use them.

Just my .02. Good luck!!

 

[LS20]

plastic bumper for a santa fe for 1000$? ask for a copy of the write-up froim the shop. 800 is already high

 

[Schfifty Five]

I know how dangerous it is to start looking down the road all the while thinking the car in front in you has already turned, only to find out they hadn't.

I just made it a habit for me always look at the car in front of me that's making a turn and only when it's my turn to make the turn will I look down the road for oncoming traffic.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Always look where you are going when you are moving. Once you stop, then look around. Safer that way

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: wasssup
I noticed a lot of people are saying go through insurance. But wouldn't that cause my rates to go up?

*EDIT* or will they go up regardless? I'm not sure if she already called my insurance company and notified them, wouldn't be surprised.

It's a small claim and assuming you've haven't made any claim(s) in awhile they shouldn't increase your rates and if they do it really shouldn't be that much more.

 

[montanafan]

I think I would go with just letting the insurance handle it. First of all you have to consider your deductible, that much of it is going to come out of your pocket anyway. Then you said that you got a ticket, that will probably make your insurance rates go up anyway. Then there's the fact that you don't know this person and she may say that's the amount now, but you don't know if she may come up with some other costs related to it later like, more car rental because it's taking longer to get the parts than expected, etc.

 

[MrWizzard]

Wassup be very careful with the advice you get here, Things to consider.

1. Each state has certain dollar amounts that once you pass you are required by law to report it to the DMV/Insurance Co. Find you what your state's amount is I only know CA.

2. Each state has it's own rules on how long the person you hit can bring up other claims against you if you fix this persons car you better have then sign a form that releases you from any other liability for property damage or bodily injury.

3. Call your insurance agent and ask what would happen to your rates if you got into an accident of such and such type. How long would your rates be affected, it may be that you pay less over time even if your rates go higher, than the amount you would pay upfront to fix this persons car. Remember while his/her car is getting fixed who is going to pay for rental car, what if there is a delay in the fixing process? Do you really want to deal with this for the next couple weeks?

Think about it.

EDIT: The careless driving thing, you were sited for careless or reckless? I have never heard of a careless driving ticket, reckless is bad, it would be hard to fight that especially since there is evidence that you hit someone too.

 

[ponyo]

Let your insurance handle it.

 

[wasssup]

Originally posted by: MrWizzard
Wassup be very careful with the advice you get here, Things to consider.

1. Each state has certain dollar amounts that once you pass you are required by law to report it to the DMV/Insurance Co. Find you what your state's amount is I only know CA.

2. Each state has it's own rules on how long the person you hit can bring up other claims against you if you fix this persons car you better have then sign a form that releases you from any other liability for property damage or bodily injury.

3. Call your insurance agent and ask what would happen to your rates if you got into an accident of such and such type. How long would your rates be affected, it may be that you pay less over time even if your rates go higher, than the amount you would pay upfront to fix this persons car. Remember while his/her car is getting fixed who is going to pay for rental car, what if there is a delay in the fixing process? Do you really want to deal with this for the next couple weeks?

Think about it.

EDIT: The careless driving thing, you were sited for careless or reckless? I have never heard of a careless driving ticket, reckless is bad, it would be hard to fight that especially since there is evidence that you hit someone too.

Thanks guys. Actually I had an accident back in 03 and my rates JUST dropped since 3 years have past since then. It dropped 33%, so it would suck if it went back up...

And yeah it was a careless driving ticket. Two points, supposedly. This is the thing that has me worried the most, I already had four points (one 2 point ticket when I was speeding, the other was a ripoff 27 in a 25mph that the prosecutor wouldn't drop). So I'll be up to 6 points.....

 

[db]

Let your ins handle it. There could be no end to how often she needs more money for something ("now my neck hurts!").