Am I responsible for damages?

About 2 weeks ago I was involved in a minor car accident that didnt leave much damage on either car involved. This is how the car accident happened: I pulled out (going left) of a parking lot to go into the middle (suicide) lane when suddenly someone else pulled into that lane, leaving me nowhere to go but into the traveling lanes....as I did this, someone hit my back right bumper tail light. We both swerved to move out of the way but the accident still occured. The only damage done to the secondary car was a broken turn signal on the right side of the truck. Immediately I apologized to the male for pulling out and he said that we shouldn't worry about getting the insurance involved, that the part that needs to be fixed is minor and that if I paid for it, then everything would be okay (as well as incur my own damage costs). Being young, naive and scared, I agreed to this even though I don't believe the accident was 100% my fault. Due to the light nature of the accident, the cops were not called. A couple of days later I called to set up a meeting for me to give him the part that needed to be replaced and he said that he would install it himself. I proactively sought him out to get the situation resolved and about a week after the accident, all of his parts/damages were taken care of (or so I thought.) When I met up with him to give him the part, he shook my hand and basically said that it was a pleasure, etc and I thought everything was taken care of. Well a week later he called me and left a voicemail stating that after taking his bumper off he saw a different part that was broken and that I was responsible for this second part that I was unaware of. Am I still responsible for the secondary part that was not originally agreed upon?
Additional Details
Yes, I pulled out into the lane but he rear-ended me. I think that means that even though I pulled out he failed to control his vehicle and ultimately if the police were called, in the state of AZ he would have been ticketed....as far as I know anyway.

Optimus Prime

It Over...u gave him the money ...now forget it...

well u should not have given the money//if he forced u too..u should have said ...lets call the cops...n sort out hte matter....that moron ...should have been careful while driving....the mistake is 50-50...u should have properly checked before getting in to lane...n that moron should have drive carefully to avoid it..

tkquestion

Yes.

I am not going to go into who's fault it is, since you have already admitted that it was your fault.

If this is the case, the other person has the right to be "made whole." That means, he has the right to be placed in a position before the accident. Being this, if there was ANY damage, seen or unseen, you have the obligation to make him whole. The only exception is, if it was expressly stated that he considers your last transaction, the last action and he will not hold you from any further claims.

Obviously, it didn't happen. He said, "it was a pleasure to deal with you." He said nothing about any additional problems.

Even when cars are repaired in professional body shop, the shop almost always finds additional problems and bills the insurance companies as addendum to the original estimate.

To protect yourself, write up a document that says, "for the incident of such-and-such date, his-name considers, as of today's-date, the matter closed, and hold your-name harmless of any further claims or obligations." and have him sign it.

Melloyello

No because he might just be trying to get you to replace a part that maybe was already broken.

Rod Knocker

If you pulled out in front of him, how could it be his fault? He would not have been ticketed, you would have been for pulling in front of on coming traffic. The rear end law you are referring to has to deal with cars going forward in traffic, not pulling in front of you. How can he maintain his vehicle when you cut him off!If you do not want to pay for the other part, give him your insurance information and accept 2 points on your record for causing an accident.
Generally when a vehicle is involved in an accident, you can not see all the damage without removing parts.
By the way, you do not have to call the police for a minor accident or report it as long as the vehicle has less than $500 in damage. You also do not have to report any accident to your insurance company if you do not want to, unless you are obtaining a new policy.

n2liberty

Do you believe you failed to yield right of way?
Based on your description it sounds like you may have done that.
If so you are responsible for damages even undiscovered damages.
If however the other driver struck you from behind after you safely entered the lane then he is responsible. The fact that his front light was broken and your rear lamp was broken would support that idea.

If the other driver and you agreed that the replacement lamp sataisfied the damage claim and no further comphensation was due then you should not have to pay more, however a court may side with the other driver if he decides to sue. If you decide to get the other part you may want to do what insurance companies do ask the driver to sign a release from any other damages or injuries due to the accident. Don't give him the part until he signs.

Unless he can show you the damaged part and a reciept for it with the correct date (after you gve him the lamp and before he contacted you about additional damage) I would not give him any money.

Another thing to consider is the cost. How much does the other part cost? If the price is low he may not want to bother with a court case trying to get the money back. Small claims court has fees associated with it that he would have to pay and the outcome is not guarenteed. He would have to take several hours going to court to fill out forms and make his plea to the judge.

If he takes you to court you will also have to spend time appearing and may end up paying for the damages. So that is your risk are you willing to take it?

Lastly can you live with yourself if you try and stiff this guy? If you believe your actions caused him harm then making it right with him is the right thing to do. Is the cost of the extra part worth the damage to your self image? Only you can decide that. I do belive in the concept of Karma not so much the metaphysical but our actions having consiquences.

mbrcatz

Fault is going to depend on how far from the drive you were. You pulled out in front of oncoming traffic. Pretty much, unless the collision happened BLOCKS down the street, this is going to be YOUR fault - because you pulled out in front of oncoming traffic. You can't count on having one lane to yourself - and more than likely, HE wouldn't have gotten that ticket - you would.

He can't HELP but rear-end you, when one minute you're not there, the next, you pull in front of him.

Yes, you're responsible for it. Sorry. And, for a rental car, as well.

okay

nah just dont anwer ur phone anymore!

Heleen K

Sounds like a setup. Get your phone number changed so he can't call you. He can't sue you or anything without incriminating himself for leaving the scene of an accident and getting in trouble for not reporting the accident to his insurance company.

bmerr71

Yes, you hit him.

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