View Full Version : Two people backing up into each other
Clairer55
Jul 17, 2008, 05:47 PM
My Neighbor and I were backing up at the same time and I guess we both checked and thought it was safe to go, so we backed up. Our cars hit, leaving a long scuff mark on my car, and a crack in his rear bumper cover. I tried to offer my insurance information and apologized, but he went off and peeled off down the street. We were on our way out anyway, so when we started driving down the road we saw him coming back. He was coming at us like he was playing chicken, forcing me to steer quickly into a nearby cul de sac to avoid colliding with him. Two days later he sends his son to ask what I'm going to do about his car, and then comes over irate saying I was the one at fault, and nothing like him trying to run me off the road ever happened.
I would just like to know if it is a 50/50 thing at this point, and what I should do. I could go over to his house (he's a bit nuts though) and exchange insurance information with him, even though I doubt that he has insurance on the vehicle after his reaction. Is there any other action I can take, or should I just wait it out?
southerngalps
Jul 17, 2008, 05:52 PM
I would think it is a 50/50 situation. He probably doesn't have insurance after that kind of reaction. Report this to your insurance right away. It would help if there were witnesses, so he doesn't lie and say you were totally at fault. Maybe have your husband or boyfriend or male figure go to talk to him.
Fr_Chuck
Jul 17, 2008, 06:08 PM
Sounds 50/50, you should have called the police when he did not stay and get a police report for your insurance company, and turn it over to them with his name and number.
twinkiedooter
Jul 18, 2008, 04:54 AM
Definitely report the accident to the police. Possibly being that irate he could materialize some sort of bodily injury and sue the pants off you (or at least attempt to sue you). He should have been cited for leaving the scene of an accident no matter how minor since you wanted to exchange insurance information. I would have called the police before moving MY car an inch. Yes, I know it's too late now, but never move your car once it's been in an accident without first calling the police. (Just move it off the roadway so as not to be a danger to other drivers).
ScottGem
Jul 18, 2008, 06:14 AM
At this point, just report it to your insurance company and let them handle it.
JudyKayTee
Jul 18, 2008, 07:44 AM
At this point, just report it to your insurance company and let them handle it.
Absolutely - if the insurance company requires a Police Report, then file one. In the meantime I think it will only antagonize the other driver so I'd leave it alone. It's after the fact anyway.
One thing - you say: "I guess we both checked and thought it was safe to go." You should say you DID check and it was CLEAR to go. I would not try to put words into the other driver's mouth (what you guess he thought) nor would I be anything but positive in my report to the insurance company.
I would report it - as Scott has said - to the insurance company. That's why you have insurance and they will take care of it.
And this is what I say to everyone when I do a motor vehicle investigation - do NOT talk to the other driver. Don't antagonize the other people, make no admissions, discuss it at the scene but not afterwards, let your insurance company handle it. People jump out of their car all the time and say, "I'm sorry [there wsa an accident]," immediately following an accident and this gets turned into, "I'm sorry I caused this accident." And it can come back to haunt you.
Do I see 50/50 here? Hard to say without knowing more about the angle of impact and damages but, yes, usually backing up (both cars backing up), it's 50/50.