What Should I Have Done?, - Erie,PA

The first thing my dad always does when he get a new truck is throw a cinder block in the back of it to scratch up the paint. Don't obsess about a tiny scratch on a new car-- it is going to happen one time or another. Best it happens now so you can stop worrying about it.

If the scratch isn't down to bare metal (which I doubt), just leave it. If it is, get some touch up paint ($12 at the dealership) and cover it. Be glad it wasn't worse, and move on.

He didn't follow you and ask you to stop. I'd let it drop. You were at fault. It's called an unsafe lane change. Take several deep breaths and be thankful that you did avert an accident. And that he didn't want to exchange information. Much less complicated this way.

No you don't have to report this to your insurance company nor do you have to have it repaired. Chalk it up to the first of many scratches your SUV will get over the years.

If you didn't change lanes, then it's probably not your fault.

You take your vehicle to a garage for an estimate when you want it repaired. You report it to your insurance company if you want them to pay for the repairs. Keep in mind that your insurance rate goes up after so many reports that require repairs. I would not repair or report a minor scratch. You'd be surprised how much they cost to have repaired.

Later: even if he does report this to his insurance company all that will happen is your insurance company will contact you. They will handle it from there. I didn't call my insurance company when I rear ended a car that stopped suddenly. Accident was my fault. He said he wasn't going to report it, so I didn't. Then he did report it. My insurance agent called me. I told him the story and they took care of it from there.

I would not worry about what if's. Relax! Even if he reports it you're not in trouble! BTW, I'm a retired police officer.

I always kind of enjoy that first little ding--it means the pressure's off!
I would not turn it into insurance. Take it to a good garage and they can easily fix it.

I rear ended an old lady who slammed on her brakes at a green light when my Pilot had less than 1,000 miles on it. PISSED!!

The damage was minor bc I had slammed on my brakes and believe it or not her bumper was all chewed to he'll already so she said she was not going to file a claim. Aka she knows it was her fault even though legally it was mine.

I chose to live with the tiny scratch and dented license plate rather than file a claim that would affect my insurance for years to come.

Sucks, but there is nothing you can do now!

PS I know what you mean about not thinking clearly....my air bags didn't even go off but I got really upset and had an ambulance come check out my kids bc was so freaked out!

Your story is kind of hard to follow and I'm an insurance agent in AZ. The bottom line is, if you put it thru your insurance, you will have to pay your deductible first (not worth it if the damage is $1200 and you have a $1000 deductible) AND you will have an "accident" on your record. The simple fact of filing a claim with the insurance company will reflect poorly. So count it as a lesson learned (and if you bought it BRAND NEW, add gap coverage thru your insurance) and be safe! :o)

It's a scratch, stop worrying about it. From what it sounds like, it was probably your fault since you were in the other lane turning wide and your car hit his. He probably doesn't even know that you nicked his truck. I drive a large SUV and you don't feel every little thing like you do in a car or smaller SUV. You need to relax a little bit and stop worrying about this, it is already over and done with. Chalk this up as a learning experience and to be on the safe side, you should probably take the second entrance, since the first one is a bit dangerous.

Honestly you can't deal in the would have's should have's and could have's. All you have is the here and now. If you didn't get his license plate and the damage is less than you deductible. If you did get his plate number you may want to go on and file a police report and see where it goes from there. It will simple be an out of pocket expense to you. If the damage is over your deductible you will want to call your insurance company and file a police report. Understand depending on the circumstances of the accident and how you tell the story the person at fault or with the most fault gets to pay and pay dearly for the next few years or at least that is how it works in New Jersey.

I hope this helps. I hate it when things like that happen. Drive safely and relax.

Calm down! I live in the city; anything below 5 MPH doesn't even constitute as an accident. People are always bumping each other's cars ;) If the other driver was worried about it, they would have stopped or followed you. If the cops aren't banging on your door, don't sweat it. They hit you, right? That makes it their fault. If I were you, go to the car stuff store and buy one of those crayon looking things to cover the scratch. Don't beat yourself up! I run over my garbage can almost every single week, LOL ;) Just breathe.

I'm glad your okay.

I'm thinking that the truck was tailgating you, or not paying attention... when I see someone put on their turn signal, I start to get ready to break...

Don't bother turning it in to the insurance.

If it happens again, try to get the license plate number and then pursue it from there if you want to do so. But for that small a scratch, I'd just let it go.

You almost caused an accident, but didn't actually? Or that the truck guy squeaked by you just enough to scratch your car and then followed you around without ever indicating you to stop?

If you felt a jolt, you should have pulled over right away to the first safest possible spot. Then you could have exchanged insurance information. Technically you were at fault because yeah, you're a bad driver, but your insurance companies could have worked something out. And if you felt unsafe you could have called 911 on your cell being on a public street to get official statements to send to the insurance companies.

So, it sounds like you weren't clear headed enough to get his information like at least his license plate. He followed you for a while so you HAVE to report this incident to your insurance company. Because I guarantee you that he's going to report it to his and he's gong to give them your license number, which his insurance company will then use to look up your insurance company to file a claim against. You need to get your side of the incident in there NOW. Because not only would your insurance end up paying, but it will look really bad if you don't report it and he does and your insurance rates could go up.

Then you talk to the insurance company about damages and getting an estimate and if it's worth getting repaired.

Hi, V.
I would suggest getting yourself together and learn something from this incident.

If you left work to do an errand, I would suggest that you still at work until your shift is over.

Glad that you weren't hurt.
Take care of yourself. Men in trucks are dangerous.
Just a thought.
D.