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[Neo_ZX]

So I got in my first accident today. I was in a two lane road which has a left turn section. I'm in the right lane and I'm trying to change over. I looked back and didn't see anyone. I had already stuck my car nose out a bit but then as I went forward I clipped the side of a 2003 Altima that came out of nowhere. It is a busy area so I don't know if he was barelling down or if he pulled out from a driveway. He was going fast trying to catch the left signal.

I scratched his passenger front and side doors. The mark is about 4 inches in height but not deep enough to see any black or metal. I also got a very tiny bit on the part of the bumper that extends over the wheel. Also a very slight unnoticable dent on the bottom of the front passenger door. You can only notice it if you're looking at from the side.
There's minimal damage on my car. Just a long gash about a third of an inch in thickness.

How much damage am I looking at for his car? Who's really at fault here? We exchanged info but I don't know if I want to go through insurance or not since I don't know the consequences of reporting it.

 

[Nightbreeze]

From the way I read that it would appear this accident would be your fault becasue he must've been in one of your blindspots when you were looking. My guess on the damage is a few hundred.

 

[Drozmight]

if he was speeding, it might be his fault.

 

[Neo_ZX]

Well I looked back in my blind spot and in the rear view and it looked like there were no cars coming down for at least a good 5-10 seconds. I don't know where he came from. I'd imagine he'd have to repaint both doors and take one apart to fix the dent. Maybe even repaint the bumper if he wanted to be a bitch.

I can't say if he was speeding but he was going fast to catch the light that's for sure.

 

[ShadowRed]

So I got in my first accident today. I was in a two lane road which has a left turn section. I'm in the right lane and I'm trying to change over. I looked back and didn't see anyone. I had already stuck my car nose out a bit but then as I went forward I clipped the side of a 2003 Altima that came out of nowhere. It is a busy area so I don't know if he was barelling down or if he pulled out from a driveway. He was going fast trying to catch the left signal.

I scratched his passenger front and side doors. The mark is about 4 inches in height but not deep enough to see any black or metal. I also got a very tiny bit on the part of the bumper that extends over the wheel. Also a very slight unnoticable dent on the bottom of the front passenger door. You can only notice it if you're looking at from the side.
There's minimal damage on my car. Just a long gash about a third of an inch in thickness.

How much damage am I looking at for his car? Who's really at fault here? We exchanged info but I don't know if I want to go through insurance or not since I don't know the consequences of reporting it.

You are at fault because it's your duty to make sure it's safe to change lanes. His speeding is unrelated to the accident.

 

[Fatghost]

So I got in my first accident today. I was in a two lane road which has a left turn section. I'm in the right lane and I'm trying to change over. I looked back and didn't see anyone. I had already stuck my car nose out a bit but then as I went forward I clipped the side of a 2003 Altima that came out of nowhere. It is a busy area so I don't know if he was barelling down or if he pulled out from a driveway. He was going fast trying to catch the left signal.

You hit him then?

I scratched his passenger front and side doors. The mark is about 4 inches in height but not deep enough to see any black or metal. I also got a very tiny bit on the part of the bumper that extends over the wheel. Also a very slight unnoticable dent on the bottom of the front passenger door. You can only notice it if you're looking at from the side.
There's minimal damage on my car. Just a long gash about a third of an inch in thickness.

Paint and minor body work damage...how fast where you going when you clipped him?

How much damage am I looking at for his car? Who's really at fault here? We exchanged info but I don't know if I want to go through insurance or not since I don't know the consequences of reporting it.

Right now, it seems like it is your fault. You may not have the option of avoiding insurance if he reports his. I'd estimate the damage to be in the 700-2000 dollar range depending on if he needs to replace parts or just refinish them.

 

[Neo_ZX]

The scratches aren't deep. It's actually very minor, its just that the area it covers is going to expensive to pay for. He swerved so a lot of the friction was taken away. I was barely moving. I braked as soon as I saw him.

The good thing is that he basically gave me the option of not reporting it.