Car Accident (backing out)-Please help! I don't know what to do!?

This woman and I backed out of a parking lot at the same time and hit each other. We were both in each other's blind spots. I drive a 1988 hondar accord dx and the right tail light was completely shattered and there's a small dent. She drives a BMW van, and her bumper got a small dent, and scratched near the middle (a little to the right). I was borrowing my dad's car and I don't have my own car, so I don't have my own insurance. A witness gave us his name and number and said we are equally at fault. I was wondering if I'll get in trouble for not having my own insurance policy? I asked the insurance company, and they say I'm covered if my dad gave me permission. How much does it cost to repair a tail light?

Also, according to California DMV rules, I must report the accident to the DMV if the damages were more than $500. I think the lady said she wanted to get an entirely new bumper, so should I still report it even though it was both our faults?
Additional Details
This woman and I backed out of a parking lot at the same time and hit each other. We were both in each other's blind spots. I drive a 1988 hondar accord dx and the right tail light was completely shattered and there's a small dent. She drives a BMW van, and her bumper got a small dent, and scratched near the middle (a little to the right). I was borrowing my dad's car and I don't have my own car, so I don't have my own insurance. A witness gave us his name and number and said we are equally at fault. I was wondering if I'll get in trouble for not having my own insurance policy? I asked the insurance company, and they say I'm covered if my dad gave me permission. She's going to file a claim,I should do it too right even though it isn't necessary?

Also, according to California DMV rules, I must report the accident to the DMV if the damages were more than $500. I think the lady said she wanted to get an entirely new bumper, so should I still report it even though it was both our fault

braiya_midwest320

I live in MN, so rules may be different for you, but the same thing happened to me, but it was actually the other guys fault because I did notice it last minute, stopped, and honked, which would've made it his fault. Plus, the guy didn't even have his license, but he did have insurance, but, yet, his insurance company still only reimbursed me half, being it was in a parking lot. If there's any accidents or anything of the kind that happens in parking lots, insurance company's only reimburse you half of the damages.

â™¥ aichan â™¥

I got in a fender bender and caused about $1200 worth of damage on the other guys car (none on mine), I never reported it to the dmv. i never received a notice or nething for it, so i think u'll be fine.

Ash C

I would look online and find out how much a bumper costs for her car. Ins Should Pay for it anyways. as for your dads car it shouldnt cost more then 75 for the light and the dent might not be a big deal. Check with the insurance agent and find out how to deal with it. they will be more then willing to help thats what they are there for

enigma

See how much the bumper costs... if the bumper and repair are affordable dont worry about reporting the accident. The tail light will probably cost about 100 plus the bulb... let your dad help you out as much as possible

becky_ekeno

here in germany it will be batter if u call the police whan it happen.
but i think u should report it. if she want u to pay for it. bcos bout of u was at fault

kaka90250

really have no answer to you problem..but my good wishes are with you....

bellytail

CA law recently changed. You have to report it if damages exceed $750. Get an estimate 1st. You are probably equally at fault- but the ins. company or insured will probably fight to be 49% at fault. Unless you both want to pay out of pocket- report the claim. If you are 51% at fault it will be a point on your driving record for 3years. You will lose the "good driver discount" for 3yrs as well if your insurance company pays out for "bodily injury." After you report the claim under your dad's policy, his insurance company will probably then insist that you are either added as a driver (and a premium charged) or excluded from coverage as a driver.
If you decide to each pay your own damages- be sure to get something together in writing that says exactly what happened and the terms you both agreed to. You should both sign it and keep a copy to prevent problems in the future.
Good Luck :D

DragonL

Unfortunately, each state has their own rules about motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), You should always report an accident just to cover yourself. Especially if there is significant damage to either vehicle. You may find that the reason the other driver is filing a claim is so that her insurance co. will come after your dad's. As far as coverage, your dad may have a "rider" on his insurance policy that covers other drivers and in that case, you're covered. Get an estimate of your damages and submit them to your dad's insurance company. Good Luck.

Les

Go ahead and report it to the DMV. Both of you were at fault doing a simple thing that, in the eyes of the insurance companies, didn't cause much damage at all. With no-fault insurance, both of you will be paying for your own damages anyway. Your father's insurance should take care of his car... obviously he gave you permission to drive the car or he would have reported it stolen when it turned up missing!

Anyway, his insurance has a deductible and the insurance company will pay any amount above that deductible. So, if he has a $500 deductible and it costs $100 to fix the taillight, he will be expected to pay the whole thing and he might as well have not told his insurance company about the accident at all. However, if his deductible is only $50, they insurance company would then pay the other half.

If the other lady wants a new bumper, she will have to convince her insurance company it needs it and then pay her own deductible. The insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect her car and HE will determine the damages and what the insurance company will pay, not her. Oh, she can disagree but it would take a judge to force the insuance company to pay any more than the adjuster determined.

A 1988 Honda shouldn't cost too much to fix yourself but as these cars get old their value becomes less and less. For example, if the car's value is $1000 and damages to it amount to $2000, the insurance company would consider it a "total loss" and pay you the $1000 (minus your deductible) instead of having it fixed. I would assume your tail light can be found at a salvage yard easily enough and maybe the small dent doesn't affect anything or can be tapped out by yourselves. After all, how many miles are on this '88 Honda? My '85 CRX has over 200,000 miles!

I would report the accident to the DMV. I wouldn't report it to my insurance company. I would fix the tail light myself and live with the small dent.

Good luck!

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