UGH! Got Rear-ended today... need advice please

[RockyRoad]

So I was approaching an intersection as the green turned to yellow. I probably could have made the light if I sped up, but I didn't feel like stepping on it, so I just slowed down. Then this dirty looking beer bellied guy in an old red F150 didn't realize the light change and must have not noticed my brake lights coming on... and so he rear ended me. Luckily the damage wasn't that big because he did try to screech to a stop, and I heard the screeching in time to let go of my brakes.

But, then right after he hits me, he runs the red light and drives away... before I realized what happened, it's green for the cross traffic, so I couldn't follow him and on top of that, I couldn't get a clear view of his liscence plate! @#^%#@%

I'm so freaking mad right now. My first accident, and it wasn't even my fault. PLUS, I'm also 17 so my insurance will likely double if they find out...ugh. so anyway, I'm done with my wining and venting for now...

Here's a pic of the damage:
The scratches on the bumper are pretty deep and it seems like the bumper was pushed in far enough in the center to hit some sort of metal frame behind it...I'm guessing it's part of the hitch. I hope it didn't damage the hitch too much.

(It looks worse in real-life, the flash kind of drowns out the depth of the dents)

What do you guys reccomend I do? I really want to get it fixed, but I'm not sure how to best go about it. My first accident and I'm not sure what to do. I'm going to talk with my parents once they get back, but I wanted your advice too. Thank you for your help.

 

[KnightFire]

Did you file a police report for the hit and run? If not..DO IT! Then immediately contact your insurance company, your rates will NOT go up because you were clearly not at fault. It's a shame you couldn't get his tag number, but the make/model/description will give the police some information.

Your insurance company will want the police report ID number, just make sure everything is on the 'up and up' and more importantly so your rates won't increase. If you just make a claim with out filing the hit run with the local police, look for a rate hike.

Very bad luck...that just really sucks...people have ZERO respect anymore.

I witnessed something very similar, hit run RIGHT in front of me at a 4 way stop near my house (the SOB never even braked) he clipped a car going through the 4 way and kept hauling @ss...even though he completely spun the car he hit 180 degrees. I got out and helped the lady who was driving, she had a pretty bad gash on her forehead (who turned out to be my neighbor) and called the cops, luckily for her the dumb SOB left his front plate at the intersection...so with my statement, I gave the plate to the deputy with a HUGE smile...

Can you think of anyone who can corrobate your incident with the police? That may be helpful when it comes time to fill out the report...

 

[pipspeak]

Any witnesses? File a police report anyway... witnesses would help but are not essential. Even someone who heard the tires screeching is better than nothing. Whenever you get in a minor accident, the checklist in order of importance is: license plate, name and insurance details, witnesses, photographs.

However, people are so chicken shit and lazy these days that they often won't agree to be a witness. I got knocked off my bike at an intersection by someone who didn't see me (I had right of way). Luckily I walked away with only grazes but two guys who were feet away claimed to have seen or heard nothing. A**holes just couldn't be bothered with the hassle of witness statements.

If an accident is not your fault then the insurance company should not raise your rates. Likewise, if someone vandalizes your car and you file a police report your rates should not increase (I can attest to that), assuming of course you have comprehensive insurance. If the insurance company messes with you, raise hell.

 

[RockyRoad]

Hey thanks for all your help!
I filed the police report, although I couldn't give that many details. Going to contact insurance company tomorrow and see what they can do.

In the meanwhile, how much money do you guys think the repair will take? I know they're just photos, but I'm hoping someone with a similar experience could give me some kind of estimate so I know what to expect.

Also, just a quick technical question.. I was researching on what it means to be "rear-ended" and everywhere I've checked, it says that one must be at a complete stop when the collision happens. In my case, I was slowing down while I got hit so technically I was still moving... Is this something I should worry about or am I just being paranoid?

Thanks again

 

[sketch1]

Well the way I see it anytime someone hits you from behind that is being "rear ended" I couldn't imagine really why it would matter if you were moving or not. In Oklahoma if you rear end someone you are at fault no matter what...even if someone pulls right out in front of you while you are going 40, if they have time to get all the way straight in front of you and you ram them, it's your fault...stupidest thing I have ever heard.

 

[toto]

Sorry to hear about the accident. At least you're OK - cars can always be fixed.
Don't worry about the fact that you were moving. The guy that hit you is still guilty of "failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident" - that's the legal term for rear-ending someone. Actually, it helps the story that you started moving again to mitigate the damage.

Assuming there's no hidden damage, you're looking at around $600-$700 to replace the plastic bumper cover, and that hitch has to be a few hundred bucks, too. It doesn't look like the bumper was hit hard enough to require replacment of any of the bumper's internals. But you never know how much damage the hitch might have done underneath - if it didn't give due to the force of the collision, then it had to transmit the energy somewhere. You'll need to have a pro look at it from a body shop.
Finally, verify that the back door still opens and closes properly. It should - the damage isn't that high. But check anyway. If the door doesn't line up with the door opening anymore, then there are even more problems you haven't seen yet.

 

[broncosi]

even if someone pulls right out in front of you while you are going 40, if they have time to get all the way straight in front of you and you ram them, it's your fault...stupidest thing I have ever heard.

yep same here, sorry to hear about the 4runner, it seems like all of the accidents on here lately have all been hit and runs?

 

[RockyRoad]

Thank you for your sympathies...

I guess I won't worry about the technicalities of being "rear-ended".

In terms of the damage, I doubt there is any hidden damage as the collision wasn't too hard. I'm hoping that the guy's front bumper absorbed some of the impact too. That along with the fact I let go of the brakes hopefully prevened any internal damage. The back door works fine, also. Still, I'll check with a professional.
What's a good place to go get the damage checked? Just FYI, I live in california, Bay Area, if that helps.

Thanks again!

 

[toto]

A local can probably name a couple of places.
In general, I've learned that I'd ask a Toyota or a Lexus dealer for a referral to a body shop. Around Chicago, the dealers don't have body shops. My local Lexus dealer pointed me to a nearby body shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus products. Unfortunately I've needed their services twice (rear-ended in an RX300 and an RX330), but both times they did an excellent job.

 

[pipspeak]

In Oklahoma if you rear end someone you are at fault no matter what...even if someone pulls right out in front of you while you are going 40, if they have time to get all the way straight in front of you and you ram them, it's your fault...stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I have heard of insurance companies doing a knock-for-knock settlement in some cases when the driver hit had done something stupid. And such a move is clearly in violation of the CA dirving rules (havign just got out my driver manual) so it might not fly here.

Reminds me of one of my many pet peeves tho... people who cut into your lane with feet to spare and then hit their brakes because, lo and behold, there was not enough room for them in the first place. They often do it just as a light turns red. The same people, no doubt, who have never heard of "stopping distance". I always lay on my horn when that happens but they're still utterly clueless.

The few accidents I've been involved in (as the victim) I always feign a minor injury and call the police. Everyone involved has to then wait for the CHP to arrive and the cops have always been smart about identifying what happened and putting that in the report. It saves a lot of hassle when dealing with insurance companies and makes sure the other party cannot lie or cheat their way to a knock-for-knock insurance deal.

 

[Uneek]

Thank you for your sympathies...

I guess I won't worry about the technicalities of being "rear-ended".

In terms of the damage, I doubt there is any hidden damage as the collision wasn't too hard. I'm hoping that the guy's front bumper absorbed some of the impact too. That along with the fact I let go of the brakes hopefully prevened any internal damage. The back door works fine, also. Still, I'll check with a professional.
What's a good place to go get the damage checked? Just FYI, I live in california, Bay Area, if that helps.

Thanks again!

You can try Don's Auto Body on 1270 Bush St. in SF.

 

[Koz]

Sorry to hear of your accident. I too was rear-ended last August with about $8K damage. Sorry to have to tell you this but if you file a claim with NO one for the insurance to go after your rate will go up. You may want to check with your insurance company.

Koz