I just reversed into a car behind me and hit him. What is the smartest way to handle this situation?

I've heard never say sorry, but when it's my fault-- not saying sorry can make him really want to screw me, whereas he was like "do you look behind you??" and I said, I'm really sorry, I couldn't see you. it was dusk and it happened fast. We looked at his car...some minor scratches but an old car- so they may have already been there- he said "I'm not gonna be a hardass since this is an old car and I dont really care about cosmetics, but I'll have to get your info and look at it again in the daylight"
I gave him my AAA card- it may have been just the road service card, but they are my insurer so it could be both, he also got my number and name and license plate number.
Is there any way I could've handled it better and if he could've handled it better? Just trying to learn for the next time it happens. And are there a set of best common procedure tactics or does it just vary case by case? I wonder what will happen...grrr.
thanks in advance.

sactoking

If you are clearly at fault, an apology doesn't hurt.

If you are ever in an accident where there is the slightest possibility that it's the other person's fault, NEVER say "I'm sorry". Instead, try to offer condolences with something like "Wow, it's really unfortunate that this happened."

The reason is that courts recognize anything you say in a traumatic situation (like right after an accident) to have special weight to it. Since you haven't had any time to think of an excuse, it's most likely correct. The legal term is an 'excited utterance'. Saying "I'm sorry" is an excited utterance and is the equivalent of admitting fault at the scene. That's a big hole for your insurer to start in, and most claims adjustors will be unable or unwilling to put in the time to argue you out of the hole, even if it's later found to be someone else's fault.

In your case, it sounds like you did everything ok. However, if you had any thoughts that maybe he was at fault for speeding or pulling through a parking space illegally, you probably just admitted fault and eliminated that argument.

faulty_cortex

Maybe....did you get his information? That is important. The police will not respond to an accident where both vehicles are driveable, and there are no injuries, but a cell phone call to them will give you a record (in your statement from the cell company) that you made the attempt and will record the exact time and date of the incident.

Scott H

If you backed into him, it's fairly obvious who is at fault. You didn't hurt anything by apologizing. Sounds like the other driver was pretty cool about the whole thing. You are legally obligated to provide your name and your insurance information.

grasshoppah

yes dont put car into reverse when you are in traffic...or in front of someone...next time person may not be in car...

J.I.M.M.Y

you can be civil with everyone and say something like "I'm sorry this happened"...exchange information and communicate with each other...it's when people fail to communicate with each other about "roadside promises" that insurance companies are involved for petty damages that could have been handled with a phone call and a couple hundred bucks...just refrain from admitting any guilt, no matter how sorry you are, and how much at fault you think are..!! good luck

Mr. C

A poltie sorry can always do the trick if the damage is not big.

MrZ

You told the truth, so you did the right thing. He sounds like a good guy, because he said he would not be a "hard@ss" with you. I would trust him. However, in the future, it's always best to get a police report when you have an accident. Call them right there, and wait for them to come out. And please be careful backing up. The key is to go slow in reverse and look hard.

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