i've been in 3 accidents, none of which were my fault. i was rearended twice and once was an idiot who thought he had the right of way when he didn't. tickets were issued in all 3, all for reckless driving. i know one person who had a parking lot accident for basically the same thing as what happened to the OP and they got a careless driving ticket.
yeah, my two at-fault accidents both had an assortment of mitigating circumstances. If the details had been different, or if the cop wanted to be a hardass, I could have been ticketed in either. Insurance company didn't so much care about details though...other person had right-of-way = 100% at fault. Rear end = 100% at fault.
Lurker but I just wanted to say that I was in that exact same car accident - where someone in a parking lot backed into the tail end of my car as I was almost past them. I had witnesses, pictures and a police report (because it dented and knocked the bumper off the other guy's car and he was blaming me). Both of our insurance companies called it a 'no fault' because it was in a parking lot. They said that rules of the road don't necessarily apply to them because they're private property.
I'd probably pass on calling the parents. They know.
Post by jillboston on Jul 10, 2012 11:32:45 GMT -5
Pixie - my sister did stalk her on Facebook but only after she blew off her phone calls. Her accident was in the middle of the road and the girl ripped off her side view mirror in the accident. Two witnesses pulled over to give her their names as they saw the whole thing. And I would totally tell her parents how she acted - but I'm a bitch like that.
Well now, we know how you would act in an accident.
I don't understand your line of thinking here. I've been at fault in a couple of minor fender benders. I got out and apologized. But they were accidents (hence the term). Of course I didn't see the car I backed into because if I had, I would've stopped in time.
My point is that emotions are high after an accident, sometimes people can say or do irrational things. Obviously it would have been nice if this girl had asked if everyone was ok. But she didn't, maybe because she was upset, maybe because she's a jerk. But it was an accident, they happen everyday, it's not the end of the world.
Well, you have a nice nonchalant view of accidents, which might explain why you've been at fault in a few fender benders. Just sayin'.
First, I'm glad you and DS are okay. I can't imagine how scary it is to have an accident with a child in the car.
Second, I wouldn't call the parents yet. Let insurance handle it. What if it goes to court? Any thing you say might be used.... you know how that goes. Plus, it might piss them off and they'll decide to lawyer up and sue you. Once it's all said and done, the car is fixed, the insurance has paid, then you can call and tell them how their little Asshat acted.
I don't understand your line of thinking here. I've been at fault in a couple of minor fender benders. I got out and apologized. But they were accidents (hence the term). Of course I didn't see the car I backed into because if I had, I would've stopped in time.
My point is that emotions are high after an accident, sometimes people can say or do irrational things. Obviously it would have been nice if this girl had asked if everyone was ok. But she didn't, maybe because she was upset, maybe because she's a jerk. But it was an accident, they happen everyday, it's not the end of the world.
Well, you have a nice nonchalant view of accidents, which might explain why you've been at fault in a few fender benders. Just sayin'.
i have a pretty nonchalant view of them, myself, and i've (knock on wood) never been at fault. fault has nothing to do with it.
Depending where it is, the cops won't do anything if everyone is OK. I back into a car when I was pulling out of B & N by where I work. we called the cops , they showed up, said "is everyone ok? yes? Then we won't file a report unless someone is injured. or the car is totalled"
Yeah, this.
In Philly, the cops won't come if no one is hurt and both cars are still driveable.
This doesn't always work. I don't know if it is just in MA, but the police won't file a report for a fender bender (the damage has to be over a certain amount or there have to be injuries). I was hit by a woman once who was being very rude and not giving me her info. I flagged down a cop and he refused to get involved. It sucked. She also didn't have insurance, which is not legal in MA and he still wouldn't do anything.
This was a big problem in Philly, too, so a previous mayor implemented a "live stop" program (pretty much the ONLY positive contribution he made during his mayorship) - if you're caught driving without a license, registration and/or insurance, your car is towed immediately.
Post by vanillacourage on Jul 10, 2012 12:30:33 GMT -5
I had something semi-similar happen. I turned it in to her insurance, her insurance adjuster took pics of her car, came out and took pics of my car in my driveway, and determined from the damage that it could only have happened the way I said it did and the other driver was fully at-fault (even though it happened in a parking lot).
I wouldn't call her parents, they already know and if they were the kind of parents who would be mortified if their daughter was a jerk, they would have already called you to see how you were doing. They are also not the ones who will buy you a new carseat, that will come from insurance.
in my town, cops won't come out unless someone is injured but you need to go online and file a police report. I don't think I would call the parents, but presumably they are on the insurance policy, so your insurance company hopefully has a way to contact them.