I had an accident today, and I’m starting to second-guess my decision.
While driving, I rear-ended someone after a girl unexpectedly crossed the crosswalk, causing the car in front of me to brake suddenly. I couldn’t stop in time and ended up bumping into him. Luckily, my car only had minor damage, while he just had a small dent on his license plate. He mentioned that he didn’t mind since his car wasn’t in great shape anyway, so I thought it wouldn’t be necessary to exchange insurance information.
I believed that since I was at fault, my insurance wouldn’t cover my damages and might even raise my premium (please correct me if I’m mistaken). When I told my mom about it, she was upset that I didn’t at least get his license plate number, as she wants to report it to the insurance company. I’m trying to convince her not to, but I’m not entirely sure if I’m right about how this works. This was my first experience hitting someone in traffic, so I’m wondering what the best course of action would have been. Any advice?
It sounds like you had a stressful experience, and it’s understandable to feel unsure about what to do next. Here are a few points to consider:
Insurance and Fault: Generally, if you’re at fault in an accident, your insurance may not cover the other driver’s damages if they don’t file a claim. However, if you want to cover your own damages, you might need to file a claim, which could lead to an increase in your premiums.
Documentation: It’s always a good idea to exchange insurance information and document the accident, even if the other party seems okay with the situation. This helps protect you in case they decide to file a claim later or if there are any disputes about what happened.
Reporting the Incident: While it’s true that filing a claim could raise your insurance rates, it might be beneficial to report the accident to your insurer anyway. They will advise you on what to do based on your specific policy. Additionally, having a record of the accident could protect you if the other driver changes their mind about wanting to report it.
Consulting Your Insurance Company: If you’re uncertain about how to proceed, contacting your insurance company for guidance is a good idea. They can provide clarity on your coverage and what the potential impacts on your rates could be.
In the future, it’s best to always document the scene (photos, notes) and exchange information, even if the damage seems minor. This can save you a lot of trouble later on.