Just got into my first fender bender. What do I do?

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Daniel Butler

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Just got into my first accident with another vehicle. Was 2 car lengths behind him when he lost control, went sideways and I hit his front fender. Luckily the person I hit is my friend, and I know well, so I told him that I would pay for the damages. Seeing that this is my first accident with another driver, I'm a bit new to this accident reporting. Can someone please give me some advice? I'm only 20, and I've got a lot of learning experiences up ahead.



Thanks!



Daniel



:haveabeer:
 
Honestly, I know he's your friend but if he lost control and spun around to where you hit him in the frontend it's on his insurance. JMHO, how bad was the damage to both vehicles, pictures? These cases can get tricky when it involves someone you know. If you hit him with your frontend, your truck may look fine but ST's are made to crumple there so even if the bumper cover looks ok you probably have damage you can't even see.
 
I'll post some pics when I get out of work. My truck was centered with his fender pretty much. Very little damage to his door. I'll dig under my truck tonight also to see if there is any damage to the actual bumper.



Thanks Jerry!
 
I agree with Jerry. Go exactly by the law on this one, especially BECAUSE it involves a friend. Nothing will tear apart a friendship like money. You may be surprised how much money you just promised to pay for your friend's accident. You were involved, but from the description, it sounds like this was his fault. As far as HOW to do that, I'm not sure. I called the cops when I had my one accident and then dealt with insurance.



Of course, this is just my opinion and I don't know the dynamics of your friendship so take it just as just that. Just know, I no longer speak with a friend I had since 7 years old all the way through college together over a couple hundred dollars. You'd be surprised how quickly it can become more than just about the dollars.
 
Hitting someone from the rear is pretty much on that driver...
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Unless they're facing the wrong way.



he lost control, went sideways and I hit his front fender
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Last edited by a moderator:
First three rules of accident reporting:



1) Don't leave the scene without first contacting local law enforcement for an accident/incident report.



2) Always exchange insurance information, driver's license info, and contact info at the scene.



3) Tell the other party that you will be contacting your insurance company and they should contact theirs.



Those three simple rules IMHO apply to all accidents, regardless who you may think is at fault and regardless the amount of damage you think there is on the vehicles.



After that, its up to insurance companies, adjusters, etc to help you figure out next steps. The next steps might very well be for you to admit blame to the other party and to pay to get their car fixed without going through the insurance companies. Then again, it may get more complicated than that.



TJR
 
Oh, and BTW, (and for Hugh, I think) just because someone is in front of you and lost control then you hit them, it's still the driver that hit the car in front that is at fault. Safe distance and driving under control means that you can avoid cars doing stupid stuff in front of you.



TJR
 
Les, I disagree.. My Son had this exact same situation. Person in front of him spun out, an he couldnt avoid it. The other guy's insurance company paid 100% on my son's vehicle.



The person at fault is the one who spun out, as THEY couldnt control their vehicle. JMO.
 
My wife had the same accident where someone lost control in front of her. She ended up hitting the jersey barrier to avoid him and the guy's insurance paid for both vehicles, this happened on an icy bridge, my wife was going slow and was way back from him but since he blocked three of the four lanes she had no choice but to either hit him or the barrier.
 
Jerry,



That's great!



It rarely goes that way from my experiences.



Glad it worked in her favor. Your's is the first example of where I have seen where the guy that gets hit pays both...not to say it doesn't happen, can't happen, nor that I don't believe you...I do.



It's just that most insurance companies like to pull out all the excuses. Even when a car in front loses control, the car behind should have been going slow enough with enough of a gap to avoid them. If conditions were too icy to prevent a collision when the guy in front wipes out, then you were going too fast, following too close, etc. I've heard them all.



Like I said, glad it worked out for you, her.



TJR

 
<a href="http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l252/GF_PWNED/?action=view&amp;current=Photo0212.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l252/GF_PWNED/th_Photo0212.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>



and



<a href="http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l252/GF_PWNED/?action=view&amp;current=Photo0211.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l252/GF_PWNED/th_Photo0211.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>



Thats what I did. I'm quite suprised to see all of the talk in this thread. I was about 2 car lengths when I hit him. I went to turn and kept going straight. Biggest mistake I made was hitting the brakes I believe
 
I am positive no matter WHAT the person in front of you does, (with the exception of them backing into you), it will be your fault. Assured clear distance. If you don;t have enough distance, (which you didn't as you did contact them), them the citation would fall onto you.



That may not be fully accurate if you could prove, or he was cited for reckless operation or something to that effect.



But if his sliding was nothing more than by "accident," I think you will carry the legal brunt of this one...
 
All I can say is it costs money to have fun, and for about 15 seconds it was fun, then it turned to sh!t. I talked to the kid this morning and we came to an agreement where both of us pay as we both were going at somewhat unsafe speeds. I would like to thank all of you for these rules and advice. I must say that everyday is a learning experience! And I can agree with Coastiejoe; If I hit them then it's my fault regardless.
 
Glad y'all came to an agreement.



Just a word of advice for the future. If you're ever in another accident, especially one that doesn't involve a friend: Even if you know it to be your fault or it is very obvious it was your fault, never admit fault to the other person, an officer, or your insurance. This isn't a character issue or "doing the right thing." Its probably actually stated right there on your insurance card. You will undoubtedly pay for your mistake, but you can easily compound your headaches by prematurely admitting fault.
 
Hugh makes a good point...fault/guilt is a matter of determination and even opinion after weighing all the facts. When giving reports or discussion a collision, just stick to the facts.



TJR
 




Even if you know it to be your fault or it is very obvious it was your fault, never admit fault to the other person, an officer, or your insurance
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Heh, don't tell people that. Inculpatory statements make my job that much easier. :grin:

 

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