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[Erdrick]

So on my way back home tonight from doing some shopping, I decided to punish myself with some McDonalds food. While picking up my order, I get bumped from behind. It was more of a nudge even. I looked back surprised at the person who came into contact with me, who was some elderly woman.

I calmly drove over to an open parking spot and proceeded to step out and survey any damage to the back end of my vehicle, to which, there is none that I could see. All it did was be better illustrated where contact was since it slid the dirt away from my bumper where contact was made. I waited for the woman to come around so we could exchange info (And also an apology) but of course...

She just drives off like nothing happened.

And to be fair, it's really not anything significant, but technically, I have to report this since it was a collision of sorts and we're supposed to do a police incident report within 7 days of such things. I'm also going to file a report with our public insurance company here even though there really is no damage in my view worth repairing.

I really don't want to go through the hassle but it's mostly to cover my own ass since what if she comes back and says that I backed up into her or something first? Just want to cover my bases, so to speak.

I snagged a pic of her car leaving and got her license plate in the process, and I also have a few pictures of the scuff mark on the back of my vehicle. Wrote a report for my own purposes while it was fresh in my mind, and I plan on also going to the McDonalds tomorrow and ask for the camera footage of the drivethru during the time of the contact.

I was more irked at her nonchalance to just drive off like nothing happened, but I get she was probably afraid (It was dark out, and I dunno, maybe I look scary or something?) but some interaction with me about it would have gone a long way towards putting my mind at ease.

I kind of just want to be like "Whatever." and leave it be. If I had any damage of significance, I'd certainly be more apt to go forward with no reservations about it.

What say you, GAF?

 

[Ionian]

Why bother if no damage?

Don't waste your time.

 

[RNK]

I really wouldn't go through the hassle if there isn't any damage.

 

[haxan7]

No damage on either car = leave it alone. Not worth the hassle.

“supposed to report” you say? What authority is going to come after you for not reporting a 0 damage accident? What party is going to pursue a claim?

I’ve been in such an accident where we did call the police, and the cop told us not to brake check / tailgate and left.

 

[Yoboman]

Take a bat to the back of your car and smash it up. Then ram your face into a wall until its bleeding and broken

Then call the cops and sue for damages

This is your only option

 

[epicnemesis]

I got bumped at a light and the woman was having a meltdown in my rearview mirror and I thought was for sure a flight risk, but to her credit pulled over. No damage so we went our separate ways, and I felt good about humanity.

 

[Erdrick]

No damage on either car = leave it alone. Not worth the hassle.

“supposed to report” you say? What authority is going to come after you for not reporting a 0 damage accident? What party is going to pursue a claim?

I’ve been in such an accident where we did call the police, and the cop told us not to brake check / tailgate and left.

Taken from my city's Police website:

"But if your collision involves any of these things, you must report it the police:

• Fatality
• hospitalization because of injury
• an unlicensed driver or unregistered vehicle
• an unidentified vehicle (e.g., hit and run)
• you failed to get the other driver's particulars
• you suspect the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• a domestic animal and the owner could not be located

You must report these types of collisions to the police within seven days. Reports can be made in person at Police Headquarters"

The bolded is why I am debating or not to bother.

I pretty much agree with leaving it alone, but I've got about 10% of me that's nagging me to at least call tomorrow so they can laugh at it and say "lol Don't bother."

 

[haxan7]

Taken from my city's Police website:

"But if your collision involves any of these things, you must report it the police:

• Fatality
• hospitalization because of injury
• an unlicensed driver or unregistered vehicle
• an unidentified vehicle (e.g., hit and run)
• you failed to get the other driver's particulars
• you suspect the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• a domestic animal and the owner could not be located

You must report these types of collisions to the police within seven days. Reports can be made in person at Police Headquarters"

The bolded is why I am debating or not to bother.

I pretty much agree with leaving it alone, but I've got about 10% of me that's nagging me to at least call tomorrow so they can laugh at it and say "lol Don't bother."

If there’s no damage to the vehicles you’re creating an unnecessary nuisance for the police to deal with by reporting it.

The only reason to report it would be that if you’re worried you were at fault. In that case, best to err on the side of caution and give them a call. Although you should have done that as soon as you were able in that case.

 

[nush]

Only if you can be 100% sure that old woman isn't coming back to sue you for whiplash.

 

[Erdrick]

If there’s no damage to the vehicles you’re creating an unnecessary nuisance for the police to deal with by reporting it.

The only reason to report it would be that if you’re worried you were at fault. In that case, best to err on the side of caution and give them a call. Although you should have done that as soon as you were able in that case.

Definitely don't feel at fault. Just me overthinking it, is all.

 

[navii]

Just do a police report or whatever just to cover your ass. She probably didn't, but if she did go to the cops and said you hit and ran on her.

I had a guy crash into the back of my car then proceed to tell me it was my fault for reversing into him. Fuck I hate people.

 

[Yoboman]

Just do a police report or whatever just to cover your ass. She probably didn't, but if she did go to the cops and said you hit and ran on her.

I had a guy crash into the back of my car then proceed to tell me it was my fault for reversing into him. Fuck I hate people.

Yeah

Don't trust people to not pull some bullshit

My girlfriend's dog got bitten by some little dog and she didn't do anything about it because it was a small dog and it didn't do much damage. Then found out later the other dog owner went to the police and reported my girlfriend's dog as biting both her and her dog

People are cunts, don't trust them and always get ahead of it

 

[Bournetobewild]

The elderly woman is not going to waste her time with this and neither should you.

 

[Gunslinger]

If there is no damage let it go. There will be an accident report on your car for no reason. I Will affect the resale value of the car.

 

[ScarletSpider]

If there was no damage don’t be petty

 

[HE1NZ]

I once slightly bumbed someone in the back. I stopped and wanted to talk the driver, but he quickly drove off. Guess he was driving without license or maybe hiding something.

 

[Biff]

Wouldn't be surprised if the old lady didn't even know she hit anything.

Old people should not be on the road, full stop. Take licenses away above 70.

 

[TheShocker]

Where I work, we would not take a report on that. First it’s private property. Second there is no reported damage or injury. I wouldn’t contact your insurance if there is nothing to report.

 

[BigBooper]

There's literally no point except to waste everyone's time. They aren't going to track her down for a bump in the drive through that smudge dust on your bumper. Just go outside and sprinkle a little dirt on it and it'll be like nothing happened.

 

[NeoGiffer]

 

[TrainedRage]

Not all damage is cosmetic. Get her plates and track that old bag down. I HATE old drivers who think they get a pass on crazy dangerous shit because "im old".

For all the people going "is nothing bro" I drive a motorcycle and cant tell you how many times I have almost been killed and had to swerve into another lane at a stop because some old person just "didnt see ya there, oops".
Or almost blind sides me because they couldn't bother to look. And yes 75% of the time these people are 65+
Nah fuck that shit. You dont get a pass for hitting shit with a deadly weapon.

 

[Erdrick]

An update:

So... I went in person to a police station here to just see if this was even worth reporting to an officer.

They look up the plate and what do you know? Registered to her husband. She has no license.

Officer calls them and speaks to the husband and husband claims he was driving the vehicle which... No way. I know haircuts aren't a thing these days but no way that was a dude had that long hair. Officer got their particulars so I'm going to not necessarily make an insurance claim but if the other person was driving with no license?

Fuck that.

First it's a bump, then it's a missed turn signal and then what next? Going through a red because they don't realize it and smashing someone else?

It's not about any damage at this point, it's the principle of driving without a valid license.

 

[Virt McPolygon]

Yeah, that lady sounds way too old to be driving. Gonna get herself or someone else hurt or worse.

I agree with others about not bothering with insurance if it was a slight, single-digit speed bump. It could possibly raise your rate and the accident would be tied to the VIN if you ever plan on selling the car.

 

[Erdrick]

Yeah, that lady sounds way too old to be driving. Gonna get herself or someone else hurt or worse.

I agree with others about not bothering with insurance if it was a slight, single-digit speed bump. It could possibly raise your rate and the accident would be tied to the VIN if you ever plan on selling the car.

I don't think I'll bother with a claim but I definitely want some punishment for someone driving without a license. I'll go on Monday and see what my options are. My car is from 2008 so resale value isn't really going to matter in this case anyway.

Just irks me that people think they can get away with doing stuff like this.

 

[Erdrick]

Just to follow up with this:

I ended up having $672.84 worth of damage according to my insurance estimate. They also did indeed determine that I was not at fault, so it will not affect my insurance rating nor incur any cost towards me for the replacement of my rear bumper. I received a letter from them today giving me the go ahead for the repairs that will be covered by them.

It takes some of the sting out of having to pay auto insurance when I actually am the beneficiary of it.

 

[triplestation]

climb to the top of your car and lay flat on your stomach and take a huge whiff of the surface and start crying

 

[iconmaster]

I ended up having $672.84 worth of damage according to my insurance estimate.

For what? A car wash?

Lady shouldn’t be driving without a license, though. Maybe this is the wake-up call she and her husband needed.

 

[Yamisan]

Just to follow up with this:

I ended up having $672.84 worth of damage according to my insurance estimate. They also did indeed determine that I was not at fault, so it will not affect my insurance rating nor incur any cost towards me for the replacement of my rear bumper. I received a letter from them today giving me the go ahead for the repairs that will be covered by them.

It takes some of the sting out of having to pay auto insurance when I actually am the beneficiary of it.

No damage climbed to almost $700 ? lmfao scamming em

 

[Fbh]

Damn, almost $700 worth of damage for what you described sounds insane.

 

[BigBooper]

Thought there wasn't damage.

 

[StormCell]

This is rather typical insurance adjustment type stuff. They looked at the bumper. They got a price on the bumper. They looked at prices around OP's town for bumper work and sent some photos. This was the price sent back to them. If OP wants to replace or have work done on his bumper, the sky is the limit for $672.84.

That's nice considering the insured was not at fault. I once had an adjuster come out to look at my bass boat for cosmetic stress cracks that were forming (that technically shouldn't and are covered under manufacturer warranty) -- they fully covered all of it, including all the punishment I had dished out to the bottom of that boat fishing tournaments and... possibly doing some highly questionable shit.

 

[Erdrick]

No damage climbed to almost $700 ? lmfao scamming em

For what? A car wash?

Lady shouldn’t be driving without a license, though. Maybe this is the wake-up call she and her husband needed.

Damn, almost $700 worth of damage for what you described sounds insane.

Thought there wasn't damage.

It didn't look like any to me either, but I took it to one of our government owned auto insurance places to make sure that there were no hidden issues, and that's what they gave me for damage. It's laughable to me, but I guess I'll get a new bumper out of this instead of one with a scuff/scratch on it from said contact. I assume the cost quoted (Yes, that's insane for such a minor incident, I agree.) is for whatever the new bumper will cost.

As for the woman? No clue. I left things to the insurance company to deal with, so I'm not aware what happens with her. I assume her husband claimed he was driving so his insurance takes the hit. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the fine or punishment is for driving without a license here is. If they are more responsible after this incident though, then it's a lesson learned for them. I'm just glad it's taken care of.

 

[Yamisan]

He already said there was NO DAMAGE to the bumper. This is an insurance company and driver committing fraud.

 

[Erdrick]

He already said there was NO DAMAGE to the bumper. This is an insurance company and driver committing fraud.

To me, who is no mechanic or auto body specialist, there seemed to be none. Just because it looks or feels fine for the moment does not mean it actually is. That's one reason why I went to have experts in that field look into my car. To make sure nothing was damaged beneath the surface.

To my government owned and run vehicle insurance company, they said there is damage. They took multiple pictures first-hand of my vehicle and spoke to both sides involved and determined the above.

I assure you, there is no fraud going on, and if there was, I sure as hell wouldn't be posting about it on a message board on the Internet.

 

[AREYOUOKAY?]

An update:

So... I went in person to a police station here to just see if this was even worth reporting to an officer.

They look up the plate and what do you know? Registered to her husband. She has no license.

Officer calls them and speaks to the husband and husband claims he was driving the vehicle which... No way. I know haircuts aren't a thing these days but no way that was a dude had that long hair. Officer got their particulars so I'm going to not necessarily make an insurance claim but if the other person was driving with no license?

Fuck that.

First it's a bump, then it's a missed turn signal and then what next? Going through a red because they don't realize it and smashing someone else?

It's not about any damage at this point, it's the principle of driving without a valid license.