First Accident/ Fender bender - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Vindicated0411 · 05-14-2007, 11:07 AM

Ok, so I am 20 and I had my first fender bender today. It was definitely my fault, no way around it. I was at a stop light and it turned green, well a spider fell on my face, I guess it had been crawling on the interior of my car. Well I panicked trying to get the spider off my face. I went to hit my breaks and instead hit the gas, running into the lady in front of me. I feel really stupid that this is what caused it. Anyways I hit a lady in front of me driving an 03 Toyota rav4. She was extremely nice about the situation and we decided to settle it outside of insurance, since noone was hurt and there wasn't major damage to her car. I don't know anything about cars and was just wondering if anyone might be able to tell me a ballpark figure on how much it may cost to fix her car. My car was fine, a little paint damage that I think will be just fine with a wax job. I included a pic of the type of car. I basically hit where the utility pack is with the tire. It dented the back in on both sides and a little bit of paint on both sides cracked from the dents, and the bumper is tilited inwards. I am sure it's hard to say an estimate without seeing the care but any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated .

The_Jazz · 05-14-2007, 11:31 AM

Call your insurance company and put them on notice. Tell them that nothing will probably come of it and they don't need to do anything at this time other than create a record of it. You want that record in place just in case this spins out of your control and goes to court. If that happens and you haven't reported it, you're technically in violation of the insurance contract and they don't have to either defend you or pay the claim.

My guess is that even the mechanics here won't be able to tell you much without seeing the actual damage and/or taking the parts off to see what else is damaged.

telekinetic · 05-14-2007, 12:36 PM

Even relatively minor damage, if spread over a few body panels, can cost a couple thousand dollars to fix correctly. I'd be wary of agreeing to settle out of pocket.

shakran · 05-14-2007, 05:39 PM

yeah, you're definitely gonna need your insurance company for this. You're in for a grand at least I'm guessing. Possibly 2 or 3. Everything that's dented will be replaced and resprayed, and that might require the whole car to be resprayed so that it matches.

05-14-2007, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vindicated0411 Upright Location: Raleigh, NC	First Accident/ Fender bender Ok, so I am 20 and I had my first fender bender today. It was definitely my fault, no way around it. I was at a stop light and it turned green, well a spider fell on my face, I guess it had been crawling on the interior of my car. Well I panicked trying to get the spider off my face. I went to hit my breaks and instead hit the gas, running into the lady in front of me. I feel really stupid that this is what caused it. Anyways I hit a lady in front of me driving an 03 Toyota rav4. She was extremely nice about the situation and we decided to settle it outside of insurance, since noone was hurt and there wasn't major damage to her car. I don't know anything about cars and was just wondering if anyone might be able to tell me a ballpark figure on how much it may cost to fix her car. My car was fine, a little paint damage that I think will be just fine with a wax job. I included a pic of the type of car. I basically hit where the utility pack is with the tire. It dented the back in on both sides and a little bit of paint on both sides cracked from the dents, and the bumper is tilited inwards. I am sure it's hard to say an estimate without seeing the care but any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated . __________________ Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.~ Teddy Roosevelt

05-14-2007, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	Call your insurance company and put them on notice. Tell them that nothing will probably come of it and they don't need to do anything at this time other than create a record of it. You want that record in place just in case this spins out of your control and goes to court. If that happens and you haven't reported it, you're technically in violation of the insurance contract and they don't have to either defend you or pay the claim. My guess is that even the mechanics here won't be able to tell you much without seeing the actual damage and/or taking the parts off to see what else is damaged. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

05-14-2007, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Even relatively minor damage, if spread over a few body panels, can cost a couple thousand dollars to fix correctly. I'd be wary of agreeing to settle out of pocket. __________________ twisted no more

05-14-2007, 05:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	yeah, you're definitely gonna need your insurance company for this. You're in for a grand at least I'm guessing. Possibly 2 or 3. Everything that's dented will be replaced and resprayed, and that might require the whole car to be resprayed so that it matches.