Got run into, cracked bumper..what next?

[AaronM]

The apartment where I live, the parking lot is the shape of a rectangle with the entrance/exit at one end. I was at the opposite end turning around when I saw the brake lights appear in the car behind me as I was turning. The man was backing out and clearly didn't see me right behind him. No place for me to go, I was honking the horn for a second or two before he hit me. For some reason, he gunned the car a little before he struck my bumper. Anyway, there are two six inch-long cracks on the left side of my bumper. Him not wanting to get the insurance companies involved, he said he'd pay me out of pocket, gave me his contact information (Mistake, but I know where he lives.) I agreed as the damage didn't seem too bad, but I just got quoted for $1100 for damage to the tailight behind the bumper. What next? I can't imagine him wanting to pay that much out of pocket, is it too late to get the insurance companies involved? Incident happened yesterday. Thanks for any help!!

[MN Shutterbug]

Ouch. Yep, mistake. I have no idea if it's too late for the insurance, but it's much easier for him to deny it now, especially without a police report.

Good luck.

[bobbymalone]

This same thing happened to me in my high school parking lot, although that was in a different state without this no-fault insurance stuff. Dude backed into my non-moving and honking car, his dad came up to the school and said he would pay out of pocket. My dad and I got estimates for about $600. His dad stalled and changed the story that I somehow hit him... Long story short, we sent state farm after them about a month after the wreck and I ended up with $800.

It's likely you wouldn't get a police report as it happened in a parking lot and unless you are in Buttscratch, MN the cops have got something better to do than respond to sub-5 MPH crashes.

I would contact him and show him the $1100 estimate. He might pay it out of pocket... If is deductible is say $500 and it will jack his insurance up, it might be cheaper to pay $1100 now rather than $500 now and a couple hundred extra for the next few years.

If he stalls or starts to pull some stuff, call your insurance company and let them deal with it. That's what you pay your premiums for. Or just call them now... It's not like you owe the guy that hit your car a favor.

Also, take pictures of your car, his car, and the scene.

Good luck.

[DTro]

I had the same thing happen too. Guy rear ended me with a company vehicle he was driving.

He was freaked and asked that I not call the police. I told him I would have to because I didn’t want to get burned. So he opened his wallet and pulled out 9 $100 bills.

I considered that fair deal and drove away.

Then another time I got rear ended by a lady and she spouted off about this being her 13th accident or something like that and she would lose her license, so asked if she could just pay me.

I went in and got an estimate and it was $1400 for something you could hardly tell was broken. She was not a happy camper when I gave her the bill. I was not comfortable with that so I really think getting the police involved is probably the best answer. Who knows, in both those cases, the driver could have been driving illegally or have warrants or something. You can never go wrong by calling the police and getting everything documented.

[Dave S]

I believe it's law that any damage exceeding a certain dollar amount requires you to fill out an accident report. You can find the specifics on the MN DOT HSOforum including a printable version of the report.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Always get an accident report! Never, ever, ever, leave an "accident" no matter how small it may seem without a phone call to the local police department. You'll get burned one time and feel the exact same way!

[bobbymalone]

I have been told on a couple occasions by the local police dept that they will not respond to minor accidents on private property.

Doesn't hurt to call though.

Filling out an accident report can save you butt though. MN state law says you have 10 days and like lep said you are legally required to do so if damage exceeds $1000.

[Dozer]

I would go show the guy the bill and see what he says. He might just pay it. If not call the police and insurance, you have 10 days.

[gunmunky]

If I was in your position I would go show him the bill and if he couldn't pay me on the spot I would call the police while he was standing there and be done with it. Nice only goes so far and you've been overly nice this far. Don't get taken for something that's not your fault. I wouldn't accept a check either. I would politely ask him to get cash. It wont hurt to have a friend along either. Hope it all ends well.

[Gus]

I know it doesn't help now, but always fill out an accident report with the police. As far as I know, you don't have to file an insurance claim just because you filled out a report with the police. You are simply documenting the incident.

For your sake, I hope he pays.

[Dave S]

Here is the link to the accident report. It states right at the top the $1000 amount. The top link on the left is the one you want. Hope this helps.

http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/PDFForms/FormFrame.htm

[AaronM]

Thanks much for the replies, he agreed to meet with me tomorrow with the police present to supervise. Thanks for the link LEP, and if there is anything else I should know before, please post! Otherwise I'll be sure to post the outcome tomorrow afternoon.

FF

[Dave S]

Sounds like you've got your ducks in a row. Good luck.

[Dave S]

Any updates fishingfrenzy?