Today I was at a red light.Light turned green, everybody moved, then everybody stopped because the first car did. The car behind me did not, ran into the back of me, my foot flew off he brake and before I even realized what was going on I TAPPED the huge suv in front of me, with a giant metal tow bar on the back of it (I was driving a tiny 1999 saturn) The car that hit me reversed, then took off like a bat out of hell. I didn't have time to see anything but the color of the car. The driver of the suv in front of me got out and was pissed. I cannot stress how lightly I tapped his car. My car is a plastic piece of crap and I didn't even get any damage, let alone damage his vehicle. I explained that the car hit me and took off. He said all he saw was the car speed away, he had no idea it hit me. We got out, assessed the damages, there were NONE. I figured there wouldnt be, I was rolling at about 2 mph! He still insisted on calling the police and writing down my name, address and phone number and my policy number. The police never showed up, he acknowledged there was no damage, but said he would be contacting me, because he didn't want to wait any longer. He also told me himself and his passengers were fine.He gave me all his info also. My question is, can he go make a report later on and make false claims, such as I caused damage that I really didn't? Does he have to show proof of paint transfer if he does make any false claims? He seemed decent enough, but I don't know what hes capable of. Also, what should I be doing at this point? Waiting for his move? Thanks
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I would imagine all these people saying that you need this report are not in law enforcement..... In most states (well ALL that I'm aware of) accidents are only required to be reported to the police under certain circumstances. In my state if there appears to be more than $500 in damage (on either vehicle, not total) then a police report must be made. Otherwise, it's up to the involved parties whether or not they report it. He "could" make all the false claims he wanted. But why? And without any evidence to back up his claims they would be just that, claims. So what's the big deal? You say the police "never showed up" though. That is just not true. You may have gotten tired of waiting, but that's a different story. You can rest assured that your little accident wasn't the only thing going on. During rush hour on a busy day in my city it's not uncommon for a minor accident to have to wait 1 to 2 hours for a response. Calls get handled in order of priority, not in the order they come in. Your state most likely has a self report of an accident form too. It's probably available online. Just fill out one of those. In my state (Georgia) it's called an SR-13. You did get his information right? Surely you would have once he started copying down all your stuff...
You should have met with police. Some places, if you had an accident on a public street, you have to report it or its considered a hit and run accident. Other places, if it happens in places like a parking lot, its considered private property accident and unless there are any injuries all parties involved just exchange information anyways and turn it into their insurance. Now in your case, I would have waited for the police because they are the one true people who can look and assess damages done besides and insurance agent.
At this point I would suggest taking any and all pictures of your vehicle where it was supposedly damaged and print it off and date and time stamp it, in case you are called to court by this person. Also ( I know its too late now) I would have taken pictures of the other guys vehicle where the damage was done, just in case he decides to get shady and add a little more damage to his car. Not saying he would, not saying he wouldn't but like YOU said, you don't know what he is capable of!
Good luck to ya!
Javi is correct.... you would have been better off with a police report
and, rather than claiming property damage.. he & his whole family might show up at a chiropractor's office claiming whiplash... supposedly that can happen even with very light impact at very low speeds --- then try to file to your insurance & sue you for causing damage to them when you rear-ended
even though you were hit by another car.... in most states, you are still responsible because you rear-ended him ---- are you in a fault or no-fault state?
if you are in an at-fault state & he files medical claims to your insurance... then your premiums are going to go up --- if he does file, you will know because your insurance company will contact you to get info about the accident from you
hopefully, that won't happen --- but there are people who make at least part of their living off situations like this
Go to the police division and provides them all of the knowledge, tell them to seem at your auto and provides them the name and info about the driver of the SUV. That way you are definite there is a police record, additionally get a copy of your document. The law enforcement officials is not going to do anything to you and that manner you're included someday. He can not come again later and declare you didn't make a file. Just right luck to you.
Pigs need to be reported so that its an excuse to avoid danger which they are employed to do.