Hit someone's car while backing out

kachofool

Hey all...

I nicked someone's car while backing out. It wasn't major, (my car can be buffed, no visible damage), but the other person's car was dented a bit. It was dark so I don't know how badly ... but it's not severe and I hope it can be fixed at a reasonable price. I want to exclude getting insurance involved since I'm thinking it'll be more expensive for both parties going that route. I'm a young driver... and since I'm at fault it will f8ck me silly. My plan was to ask the other party to go to a body shop and get a quote to fix the damage, and I would write a cheque for that amount. Is that reasonable? Does anyone have any ballpark figures regarding getting dents fixed? From what I recall the panel was the one in front of the passenger door.

I haven't spoken to the other party yet (they weren't there, I left my number and stuff).

Orestes

Depending on where you live, it's illegal to leave without first talking to the other party (regardless if they're there at the moment or not).

That being said, if they refuse to go insuranceless route, then you're fucked.

However, if you know of a good bodyshop, ask him for to get a quote and get a check.

Lautermilch

My experiance has been that a police report is needed for a claim and that the claim has to be done in ten days.

State laws due vary and with a few ending 'no fault' it can mean quite a difference in the way the situation would be handled.

Improvolone

Cash not check. If he refuses to do without insurance, offer him more than the estimate.

Mr Blonde

If you use cash then get a signed receipt from him. If you don't, then you have no proof you paid an agreed upon settlement if he decides to proceed with a small claims or insurance case against you.

Doc

That happened to me once and I just paid the body shop directly. That way nobody can scam anybody else (well, body shops always scam everyone, but that's besides the point). He didn't have to worry about the check being bad, and I didn't have to worry about him claiming a different amount than the body shop charged. It was around $800, but that was because the damage was on both the driver door and the front quarter panel, in a difficult place.

Improvolone

Thats a better idea.

admanb

Orestes wrote: »

Depending on where you live, it's illegal to leave without first talking to the other party (regardless if they're there at the moment or not).

Details

Most states are fine as long as you make a reasonable effort to contact them. i.e. leave a note with contact information or take down their license plate and file the accident report yourself.

Figgy

Lautermilch wrote: »

My experiance has been that a police report is needed for a claim and that the claim has to be done in ten days.

The other owner can file the police report once he sees the damage himself. He does not need to remain at the scene, either. You drive to the police station, they come outside and take a photo of your car, and you fill out a form. That's all that is needed for an insurance claim.

kachofool wrote:

I want to exclude getting insurance involved since I'm thinking it'll be more expensive for both parties going that route.

How would that be less expensive for him? Depending on the amount of time the body shop needs to keep the car, it might be even more of a hassle, unless you're planning on renting him a replacement as well.

If he decides to go with insurance, absolutely no money comes out of his pocket. Lots of people go straight for their insurance claim when something like this happens because it's really easy to get bamboozled otherwise. If he does get a police report, you could also be charged with a moving violation. (Reckless driving, for example)