The Dink Network

Well, it finally happened. After 16 years of driving with a perfect record I had my first car accident last Wednesday the 8th. Thank you, thank you, please hold your applause.

There I was, going eastbound on Highway 401 just past Toronto's airport, stuck in gridlock and merrily minding my own business, when *BAM*, I got rear-ended. Scared? If you've ever had an accident you know how scary and confusing those first few moments after the impact are. Was that a hit? Was I just hit? Oh my God, I just had a car accident. I managed to make it onto the shoulder of the highway though I was shaking so much and my heart was pounding so hard I'm a little fuzzy as to how I accomplished this. I exchanged info with the other driver, a teenager on his way to college in his father's car, then fumbled my way to work.

Damage was pretty minimal. God bless my 2003 Honda Civic Sedan. The bolts from his license plate punctured my bumper and there's some other impact damage, but it could have been a lot worse.

This past week, however, has been a nightmare. Pardon my naiveté, but having never had an accident before, I had no idea what was involved - constant calls to my insurance company, taking my car to the dealership to get a repair estimate, filing a report with the police, having pictures taken, constant calls from several different claims adjusters and seeing a doctor who diagnosed me as having some soft tissue damage to my neck and shoulders (I couldn't move my head there for a few days).

Anyway, here is where I would appreciate some advice from my fellow Dinkers. The father of the teen that hit me has been begging me not to go through insurance because if I do his premiums will go up so much that his son won't be able to drive to college anymore, and they live over 100 kms away from Toronto. I certainly don't want that, but the father has been handling the situation, well, most unwisely. He first accused me of causing the accident (as the police explained to me, if you're rear-ended it is always the fault of the person who rear-ended you), and is now dictating where I should take my car to be repaired. I want to give the teen a break but if I don't go through insurance I could be setting myself up to be taken advantage of, but if I do go through insurance I'm always going to feel bad that I cut the teen off from the use of his father's car. And now my claims adjuster is saying that with a soft tissue injury, I could feel fine now but have problems a few months down the road so I should make a claim. Seems that no matter what I choose to do I'm going to be unhappy. Arrgh!

I know a number of the members here are teenagers. I'd like to ask them this - if you had just started driving and had an accident that was your fault, would you genuinely appreciate someone giving you a second chance by not making an insurance claim? Or would you just think "suck-er"?

Thanks to anyone who replies.

Hmm... even though I graduated from teenagerhood just a few months ago, I'll bite.

I'd be really appreciative, and wouldn't think 'sucker!' at all. But that's me; maybe the Canadian youth are much more vile

Did the kid seem apologetic at the time of the accident? I mean, I wouldn't hold his father's accusations and such against him, as my dad would probably be just as silly as his is.

Horrors! Oh boy. Yes, by all means make a claim. Your accident is my business. I deal with insurance companies, body shops, injury claims (by default), auto repairs, etc. all day long. The father of the boy is spinning you a tale of woe cuz he doesn't want to pay the deduct or subsequent policy raise. OK. Why does he expect you to foot the bill? He pays for insurance for this very reason: To be covered in case of accidents! He cannot dictate doodly-squat to you. He cannot make you go to any shop you don't want to nor can your insurance co. altho your ins. co will try. If you agree to the guy's request? demand? , you might as well take money out of your own pocket and hand it to him. And believe me, there will be cost's you haven't thought of yet not too mention that he probably will renege on paying the bill. Will he pay for your rental while the car is in the shop? Will he complain and whine and say he will only pay so much for this or that reason? I have seen it happen over and over and as the owner of the vehicle, YOU are ultimately responsible for the bill. You'll end up turning it over to your company. Your rates will go up and you will be out the deduct. Only rarely has the very same situation turned out well and I mean rarely. It has nothing to do with being a sucker at all. Just try the headaches of making a claim later down the road when the guy shafts you!! Your kindness will only get you in trouble.
And besides the guy has the sound of a jerk already. Tell him to bite the bullet or just let your insurance do the talking for you. Insurance co.'s know how to deal with this stuff and they will help you with the paperwork. SUBMIT, SUBMIT, Your claim.

Oh yeah. The damage you think of as minimal may in the end be a lot higher than you think. Auto parts prices are high and there might be some frame damage. You should get an estimate from a reputable shop so you'll know what the damage actually is. Like I said, this is my line of work. If I can help, you can pm me.

At least you haven't gotten into an accident on your first try. That happened to me. For six months I was flogged and my self-esteem was gone. (Well, I wasn't flogged, but there wasn't a day that someone didn't ask me about the accident, It got really annoying.)

i agrre with desert girl, nice people often get taken advantage of.

btw, i wonder y her ocupatio hasnt come up earlier in conversation

talk to your insurance agent, and make sure you are protected. I have accepted payment instead of making a claim,and it worked out well for all, but you need to know how soon you must collect. If the kid asks for an extention, that is trouble. It could leave you waiting in small claims court doing what the insurance companies get paid to do.

Well, at least you didn't do something stupid on your first try alone, like back up, feel a thud, get out and look, see that there is no one behind you, then drive home (about 1/2 hour), then right when you park, realize that the emergencey brake was on the whole time.
Oh, dear, that was a little bit of trouble...

gah.. eventually I'll remember my password..

gah.. eventually I'll remember my password..

Try cookies. They're handy...and yummy.

. . . maybe the Canadian youth are much more vile . . .

Man, did I ever need a chuckle out of this whole situation. Thanks redink1.

Thanks for your generous offer, desertgrl. I did PM you.

And thanks to everyone else for your advice. Wish me luck!

Good Luck.