Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

This morning, a woman backed into me at full speed. It was a busy queens street and the person just ahead of her was pulling out of a spot, my guess is she wanted to get that spot and didn't bother looking behind her.

I moved my car over, put the car in park and started to get out.

This chick STARTED to leave the street (making a left turn) so I yelled at her to stop. She did and got out but said she had to get to work. So did I, and asked if we could exchange numbers... She looked at my car and said 'I didn't do any of that' (red flag #1)
I told her 'what are you talking about, look at the damage on your car v. mine, it's all in the same spot... then pointed out the side of my bumper that had peeling paint and said that was there already but the whole front was her fault & suggested we call the cops.

She kept saying no no no I have to go to work and gave me her number... THANK GOD I thought to try the number in front of her b/c she was acting shady. GUESS WHAT-- her phone didn't ring. So I read the number back to her and she said "oh i don't know why I made that mistake and gave me ANOTHER #..." THAT NUMBER wasn't right either.

Still, I gave her the benefit of the doubt thinking maybe she's just as frazzled as I am and told her to call me so I have her number... Then I said that I really think we should call the police b/c I didn't like that she gave me the wrong # TWICE.

She said no no, I'll fix it and jumped in her car to leave... To her credit, I didn't insist she stay and that I was going to call the cops.

THEN I told her I wanted to take a picture of her license plate and damage... she started to leave as I did so I yelled to her to stop... got the picture and she drove off and parked on the side of the road... I then saw her walk to the bus stop... Something wasn't right and I realized she would probably not be very truthful when I try to claim the damage.

So I called my SIL who is an ex-cop. She said it is illegal for EITHER of us to leave the scene of an accident and to call the cops.

Here is where I feel bad. I allowed her to go... TRUE- I suggested twice that we should file a report and she made it hard for me.. I felt bad and backed down.
but I can't help but feel bad that now, she will be summoned a ticket for leaving the scene...

The cops said I did the right thing b/c if say we both left.. The accident was HER fault... but if she stayed behind and called the cops she could have claimed the accident was MY fault. And she'd probably win and *I* would charged with both the accident claim AND leaving the scene.

From the way she was acting
1. about to leave right after she hit me
2. giving me TWO wrong #s
3. arguing with me over the damage

I just felt like something wasn't right and had to call the cops.

I have to be honest, if I was her... I'd be P*SSED if we agreed to leave and then she called the cops. But in my defense, I gave her 2 opportunities to call them... I was just really freaked out and I guess let her bully me into taking her (fake) number & going.

I'm posting this b/c I feel bad and want to know how would any of YOU feel

but also, to remind people TO CALL THE COPS if you get into an accident, even if its a little fender bender... B/C this could happen to you, someone could file a report after the fact and you're slapped with a summons. It s*cks, but it would s*ck even MORE if the accident WASN'T your fault, you leave and that person calls them, and changes the story... You should always cover yourself and get them there... when both drivers are there..

Message edited 11/30/2009 11:51:43 AM.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

I doubt she will be charged with leaving the scene. You did the right thing. I had something similiar happen to me and filed the day after the incident (long story) It was such a hassle, I really wish I would have called the cops right away. I will never not get a police report at the scene again. Good Luck! I hope this works out in your favor, the lady sounds like a nut.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

1) you did the right thing on all counts.

2) glad you are ok.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

My mirror was hit and run last week,

I called the cops.

I ALWAYS call the cops for ANY accident.

Why? bc people are shady, they lie and I do not trust anyone when it comes to this.

I am glad you called the cops. You did the RIGHT thing.

If it was me I would have taken her liscense plate # and any info she offered and said "ok I am calling the cops now".

Let her leave or whatever I have the plate # and any inof she provided (which could be false or whatever) but at least I have the plate number.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

You TOTALLY did the right thing!! She was acting shady. It's her fault and her problem should it come back to bite her. She should have taken care of it the right way and not run on you!

ETA: regarding you agreeing to leave - she is a grown adult and she knows she should have not left. It was up to HER to leave - don't make it hard on you!!

Message edited 11/30/2009 12:03:46 PM.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

About a month ago I was in a tiny fender bender and didn't call the cops. 10 minutes after leaving I second guessed myself but still didn't call. I even posted it here. I think you did the right thing in calling ESPECIALLY since she kept changing it around on you.

No matter how tiny an accident is, it is nerve wracking to say the least! I'm glad you weren't hurt!

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

I don't give anyone the benefit of the doubt when it comes to an accident, too many shady people. So you were MUCH nicer than I would have been.

The moment an accident happens, big or small, cops need to be called, her plate needs to be taken down and any pics done if necessary. I was in a minor fender bender a month ago, and all of this was done....its for your benefit as much as it is for hers. Later on, anyone could say "oh I had serious injuries that I'm gonna sue you for 1 million dollars".

Do NOT feel bad, I have a feeling that woman has more to hide if she was being that shady....and I would bet anything it was something along the lines of her not having updated insurance or the car not being registered in her name. She wrong phone numbers = SHADY!

The moment the first number was wrong, you should have called the police immediately. But I'm glad that you at least called the police when she left.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

I didn't get a police report once and I regretted it. I eventually got reimbursed for the damage but I had to chase the guy down. My insurance company had to camp out to find him.

I would have called the police right away. I learned my lesson.

And too bad if she is slapped with a summons. She deceived you twice.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Posted by HeathKernandez

she didn't offer me any info.. just her number which was wrong twice... and let me take a picture of her plate. I was just so frazzled from the whole thing, I wasn't thinking straight.

I see that she called me phone while I was in the bathroom... I'm afraid to answer b/c I have a feeling she's NOT happy

The cop who was filing the report tried to call her and left her a message so she knows I called them.

They also said she WILL be charged b/c leaving the scene is illegal.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

In Cali they discourage "tieing" up a Cops time to call them to come to a minor accident! Most times they tell you to just get the info and call in the accident report for insurance purposes!


You did the right thing by getting her liscense plate #. You have to take care of yourself /cover your bases first and not some moron who is in a hurry! I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt.

Taking the pic of how the cars were positioned was smart! If you were in Cali and didn't have that proof you would have been held liable for her damage because no matter what if you hit the rear end a car it's automatically your fault! Yeah, I've had friends and family that got totally cut off with no time to get out of the way and they were automatically at fault.

Message edited 11/30/2009 12:16:25 PM.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Always call the cops..when they come they will run license & registration checks...everything will be documented and you will have all the info you need and everything written down...just gives you a sense of security...they will also ask about injuries..not that someone tries to scam on that later...sorry this happened!

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Posted by HeathKernandez

Posted by DiamondGirl

My mirror was hit and run last week,

I called the cops.

I ALWAYS call the cops for ANY accident.

Why? bc people are shady, they lie and I do not trust anyone when it comes to this.

I am glad you called the cops. You did the RIGHT thing.

If it was me I would have taken her liscense plate # and any info she offered and said "ok I am calling the cops now".

Let her leave or whatever I have the plate # and any inof she provided (which could be false or whatever) but at least I have the plate number.

she didn't offer me any info.. just her number which was wrong twice... and let me take a picture of her plate. I was just so frazzled from the whole thing, I wasn't thinking straight.

I see that she called me phone while I was in the bathroom... I'm afraid to answer b/c I have a feeling she's NOT happy

The cop who was filing the report tried to call her and left her a message so she knows I called them.

They also said she WILL be charged b/c leaving the scene is illegal.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Caz- STOP feeling bad. You KNOWshe was being shady. Thank GOD you were smart enough to get pics and check that her number was working.

Do you need dad to call you and tell you that you did the right thing (cuz what Daddy says is ALWAYS right.... ).

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

You did the right thing...but be forewarned, she most likely will NOT be charged with leaving the scene and she can very easily deny it and you still have no recourse.
I was hit in a parking lot last year and the woman tried to leave...I had a witness, her plate and her description.
She swore up and down she wasn't there and both the witness and I had the wrong info. Her insurance co. refused to pay, she didn't get any tickets (I called the cops and got a report) and I still have a dent in the front of my truck.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Posted by Porrruss

Caz- STOP feeling bad. You KNOWshe was being shady. Thank GOD you were smart enough to get pics and check that her number was working.

Do you need dad to call you and tell you that you did the right thing (cuz what Daddy says is ALWAYS right.... ).

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Posted by Gertyrae

You did the right thing...but be forewarned, she most likely will NOT be charged with leaving the scene and she can very easily deny it and you still have no recourse.
I was hit in a parking lot last year and the woman tried to leave...I had a witness, her plate and her description.
She swore up and down she wasn't there and both the witness and I had the wrong info. Her insurance co. refused to pay, she didn't get any tickets (I called the cops and got a report) and I still have a dent in the front of my truck.

Message edited 11/30/2009 12:23:15 PM.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

You definitely did the right thing!

I got into a sticky situation once when I was rear-ended...

I was stopped at a red light and a car came out of nowhere and just rear-ended me. We both pulled over to the side and 4 guys got out of the car and basically told me that I can't call the police. I felt so threatened! Luckily an off-duty cop was driving by and saw the situation and came to help...

turns out the driver of the car didn't have insurance and none of the others were licensed!

my car ended up not really having any damage (theirs did) but still... people can be WEIRD when it comes to accidents! you did the right thing!

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

I would've called the cops without even asking her.

You did the right thing. YOu really cannot trust anyone these days.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

The only way I don't call the cops is if the other party hands me a stack of Benjamins at the scene.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

you did the right thing. Do not feel bad for telling her to leave. there wasnt much more you could do to make her stay. thank god you got her licensce plate pic.

i've been the victim of hit and runs 2x's..i have no sympathy for a$$holes who cause accidents and leave the scene.

i hope they summon her and she gets a huge ticket and pays for your repairs.

take her to JUDGE JUDY

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

You definitely did the right thing.

The only thing I don't understand is how she backed into you. Did the front of your car make contact with her rear bumper? Because then it will be very difficult to prove it was her fault (and she seems like a b!+ch claiming she didn't do any of the damage when she damn well knew she did). But maybe I'm just not understanding your description.

Either way, it was good that YOU called the cops because it seems more likely that you were NOT the one at fault if you were the one alerting the police. She knew you wanted to call the police. I'm sure most people would never even consider leaving the scene of an accident that was their fault. She's a B, plain and simple. She'll hopefully get what she deserves.

Accidents suck. I hope your day gets better.

Re: Leaving the scene of an accident - WWYD

Posted by timanda

You definitely did the right thing.

The only thing I don't understand is how she backed into you. Did the front of your car make contact with her rear bumper? Because then it will be very difficult to prove it was her fault (and she seems like a b!+ch claiming she didn't do any of the damage when she damn well knew she did). But maybe I'm just not understanding your description.

Either way, it was good that YOU called the cops because it seems more likely that you were NOT the one at fault if you were the one alerting the police. She knew you wanted to call the police. I'm sure most people would never even consider leaving the scene of an accident that was their fault. She's a B, plain and simple. She'll hopefully get what she deserves.

Accidents suck. I hope your day gets better.