Minor traffic accident advice

A couple of weeks ago my fiancé was rear ended in a very minor traffic accident at about 6 PM on the "beltline" which is the convergence of several highways here in Madison WI. It was in her 2016 Accord which we had just bought 8 months ago.

It had snowed earlier in the day and conditions were slick and it was about 0 degrees out. Her and the woman who hit her exchanged names and phone numbers and took a few pictures of the cars but since the conditions were bad, the damage was very minor and they were holding up traffic so they went their separate ways. And yes I told my fiancé that was not the smartest move to leave but it's over and done with.

I exchanged a series of Facebook messages with the woman who rear ended my fiancé since her phone was temporarily shut off (not a good sign) and she asked that insurance not be involved if possible and I said I would get several quotes and get back to her

I got a couple quotes for to fix the bumper and replace the damaged trim piece. If the entire bumper is resprayed the quote was about $900. If it was just touched up the quote was $200.

I contacted the woman again and said we'd be fine with $200 to get it touched up. Of course this woman has stopped responded via phone or Facebook now.

I'm not going to let this one slide as we were trying to be as accommodating as possible and now she is being a dirtbag and not responding.

I know her name, phone number, address and insurance company (which happens to be our insurance company as well) What is the best course of action to get the car fixed?

Should I file an accident report with the police? Should I call the insurance company? Should I file a claim in small claims court for the amount of the higher quote?

Thanks in advance

Contact your insurance company, and be ready to provide them with all the text/facebook messages, and pictures as those will prove she was the guilty party. It will make it easier to prove your wife had 0 liability in the accident so your rates won't go up. You may have to pay your deductible though.

They may ask you to ask for a police report, they may not.

I don't see a downside to contacting the insurance company (for you). No deductibles would be involved especially with an accurate account. Police report will probably do no good - they likely would have not come out to the scene anyways.

Lawyer up if possible and see what they can do for you. I just had the same problem with my GT500 a few days ago, rearended on the interstate due to ice. Your other party doesnt sound like they are cooperating so go ahead and have your insurance talk to theirs.


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Good advice above, time to get insurane involved, but you have to weigh the cost to fix vs potential increase in your premiums.

Never leave the scene unless you're prepared to pay for the damage yourself.....

Thanks guys, I reported a claim with Progressive who is both our insurance company as well as the woman who hit my fiancé. We'll see what they come back with.

I agree, she shouldn't have left the scene but $200 to get it touched up is pretty minor and certainly better than if another accident had been caused due to holding up traffic on the side of the road.

He in CA it's just a simple exchange of info and pictures for minor accidents. But in CA if you rearend another vehicle you are instantly at fault, unless you go hit from behind and the other vehicle pushed you into another vehicle. I hope that helps and makes sense

byronj said:

He in CA it's just a simple exchange of info and pictures for minor accidents. But in CA if you rearend another vehicle you are instantly at fault, unless you go hit from behind and the other vehicle pushed you into another vehicle. I hope that helps and makes sense

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I believe this is the case in most states, my wife rear ended a car, after the driver in front swerved to miss, car that she hit had no working brake lights and my wife was still at fault because she rear ended the car.

In Oregon , if you rear end a car in front of you , you are at fault , and if you are rear ended , and hit another car , you will be at fault , for following too close ....
Can't make this shut up .

byronj said:

He in CA it's just a simple exchange of info and pictures for minor accidents. But in CA if you rearend another vehicle you are instantly at fault, unless you go hit from behind and the other vehicle pushed you into another vehicle. I hope that helps and makes sense

Click to expand...

I actually think the below describes California's stance.

ashleyroachclip said:

In Oregon , if you rear end a car in front of you , you are at fault , and if you are rear ended , and hit another car , you will be at fault , for following too close ....
Can't make this shut up .

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