Minor hit from the back

[GAWAZ]

I'm still in the "park in the back of the parking lot" phase of ownership of my '23 hybrid. However, this morning I was out and stopped at a traffic light and an older smaller Ranger failed to stop and hit me going maybe 5 or so miles per hour. Appeared to be a straight bumper to bumper hit. Got out and didn't see any damage to either vehicle. Checked to make sure the tailgate still opened/closed appropriately, which it did. The lady that hit me didn't see any damage to her truck either. We exchanged info and chose not to call the police, as I didn't want any chance of having an accident recorded on my truck's "permanent record".

Am curious if there is anything I need to specifically check before I dismiss the encounter as just an unfortunate incident. Any thoughts?

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[Paulyz]

I

I'm still in the "park in the back of the parking lot" phase of ownership of my '23 hybrid. However, this morning I was out and stopped at a traffic light and an older smaller Ranger failed to stop and hit me going maybe 5 or so miles per hour. Appeared to be a straight bumper to bumper hit. Got out and didn't see any damage to either vehicle. Checked to make sure the tailgate still opened/closed appropriately, which it did. The lady that hit me didn't see any damage to her truck either. We exchanged info and chose not to call the police, as I didn't want any chance of having an accident recorded on my truck's "permanent record".

Am curious if there is anything I need to specifically check before I dismiss the encounter as just an unfortunate incident. Any thoughts?

I'd get her name an information in case something is discovered later.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Check her phone/texting history.

 

[Dale F]

From a one time experience, a lady changed lanes and hit the back of my vehicle. We exchanged info. She later contacted police and said I was a hit and run. The police believed my story as I had her info.

 

[MavTime]

You could get under the rear bumper to look and see that they main steel cross-member looks undamaged and everything else under there looks factory and unbent.

 

[dochawk]

I'd get her name an information in case something is discovered later.

always, Always, ALWAYS get the information!

I was out of town and my wife drove one of my classics. She followed the full classic car protocol, and even drove across town for another walmart.

She thought she'd been rear-ended by these two crying little old ladies. "We couldn't see you!" they sniffed.

For crying out loud, it was a white 1993 Fleetwood, last of the land yachts, in a black parking lot! And at a stop sign, at that!



Seeing no damage to the rear, she didn't collect the information.

I got home, and saw that the actual strike was on the rearmost quarter panel! Including the absolutely hardest to find piece of chrome for that model!

I called Hagerty, not expecting coverage, but for the concierge, hoping for help finding the parts.

Surprisingly, they told me I was covered!

Anyway, the point is that you're not always going to see the damage; always get the info.

In another one, my teen driver was very, very at fault. But we had comp, and it paid more than I'd pay for the car, even after a large deductible and salvage. We drove it for a year (after pulling the fender off the tire). And then one morning, we discovered the other damage as the magic smoke escaped when we went to start it.

 

[Cocobean]

I

I'd get her name an information in case something is discovered later.

I believe he did… mentioned that in the post.
Always a good move since ppl unfortunately can change their mind after the fact

 

[GAWAZ]

You could get under the rear bumper to look and see that they main steel cross-member looks undamaged and everything else under there looks factory and unbent.

Thanks! Appreciate your response. I scooted under the rear of the truck and everything looks good. Think I can chalk this one up to just an unfortunate "no damage" incident.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I believe he did… mentioned that in the post.
Always a good move since ppl unfortunately can change their mind after the fact

In 2008 I was driving back from the lake in my Ranger when I was, hit from behind at stoplight. Bending the corner of the bumper into the body a little bit. The driver told me he would take care of it.
We took each other's drivers license and exchanged information.
As it turned he no longer lived at the address that was on the driver's license. I was never able to find him.
Remember getting the information is only as good as the information that is given.
Get pictures of everything license plate driver's license front and back insurance and a picture of the person.
Good Luck

 

[Cocobean]

In 2008 I was driving back from the lake in my Ranger when I was, hit from behind at stoplight. Bending the corner of the bumper into the body a little bit. The driver told me he would take care of it.
We took each other's drivers license and exchanged information.
As it turned he no longer lived at the address that was on the driver's license. I was never able to find him.
Remember getting the information is only as good as the information that is given.
Get pictures of everything license plate driver's license front and back insurance and a picture of the person.
Good Luck

Excellent advice!

 

[dochawk]

I was never able to find him.

if you have comp coverage, your insurance is going to find him . . .

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

if you have comp coverage, your insurance is going to find him . . .

The guy who hit me agreed to repair or replace my bumper, then I couldn't find him. Even though there was a police report. The police said, there's nothing they could do.
Insurance wasn't interested because it fell below my deductible.

 

[dochawk]

if I was angry enough, I'd file in small claims, using the address he gave as last known address, and file the default judgment against his title with the dmv . . . and the recorder (or land records, or whatever your state uses), which will pretty much stop him from getting any kind of credit.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

if I was angry enough, I'd file in small claims, using the address he gave as last known address, and file the default judgment against his title with the dmv . . . and the recorder (or land records, or whatever your state uses), which will pretty much stop him from getting any kind of credit.

The house said he was living at which was the address that was on his license was a room he was renting in the house. They had no idea where he went and he never got mail there. I'm assuming he had a private postal drop ( not USPS ) somewhere. A person like that doesn't give a damn about credit. To them cash is king and no paper trail.
I'm doubling down on.
The information you get.
Is only as good as the information you're given.
Even with a police report.

 

[Charles T.]

I

I'd get her name an information in case something is discovered later.

he said they exchanged info!

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