I hit someone with my girlfriends car.?

Question

I hit a bicyclist with my girlfriends car. The bicyclist said they were okay. The police came and since it was a minor collision it wouldnt be investigated and it was up to us to contact our insurance. The bicyclist said they were not going to contact their insurance and said we shouldnt worry about it.

What should we do?

Answer 1

Have a report made, and contact the insurance company. If nothing comes out of it, then it's over.

Answer 2

Don't worry about it! Not only do you have a witness if...and I said "If" they decide to change their mind..(the witness being your girlfriend) but you also have the police officer who is a witness too. And if worse comes to worse he will be summons to court if they change their mind. However, usually when people tell you don't worry about it (meaning the bike rider) they tend to stick with it, especially when they said it in front of the police officer. Now about your insurance, if their was no damage then what's the fuss. You have to think about this as well...are you covered to drive her car? If the answer is no then she will most likely get dropped from her insurance. Or the other possibility is her rates will raise. If you exchanged info maybe you can take the time to call that person in a few days & ask them how they are & repeat the fact that you are sorry. It's really hard to say what could happen at this point. Also, keep in mind that you can call a lawyer & get a free consultation in the phone book. That's what I would do. Good luck!

Answer 3

Whenever you are involved in an accident you should always insist that the police do a proper report. It is important to document the accident for your own protection. Just because the person said they are okay doesn’t mean that they won’t come back later and say that they were hurt and you have no documentation to prove otherwise. I had one case many years ago where two people were involved in a minor motor vehicle accident. Both of them agreed to settle between themselves. I did take the time to list the plate numbers, license numbers, the damage to both vehicles and also that both said they were not injured in CAD. Later one of the individuals claimed to be injured and claimed that his car had sustained ‘extensive damage’. His car did have extensive damage but not from that accident. Basically he lied and when I was called to testify I could prove it because I had documented it at the time of the accident.
In your case you should report the accident to your insurance company and let them do the proper follow up. They will talk to the other individual and this will get something documented. He may very well say that he isn’t hurt and that will be the end of it.

Answer 4

Nothing but wait. You sound like you're in pretty good shape. The cyclist said they weren't going to do anything about it and the police were contacted to take down the facts.

Some things you didn't say might bear in what you should do. Whose fault was it? Did they run out in front of you and it was their fault or for some reason it was your fault?

Since the police were called, took the facts and didn't charge you with a crime, it's unlikely that any criminal action will be taken against you. As they cylist said they were ok, and I assume, this is in the police report, it's unlikely that any civil action will be taken against your girlfriend's insurance company.

Just watch out for these people that can dart out from no where. I've seen people stalled in a trafic lane and open their car door nearly missing another car that was in the adjoining lane.

Just sit tight. I think if there was any damage to the car and it was the cyclist's fault, your gf's insurance company will take it up with the cyclist's insurance company if that person was covered. If not, your gf's insurance will no doubt pay for any repairs.

Answer 5

Have your girlfriend contact her insurance company. If the bicyclist does not contact them they will not file a claim but it will be better to give them the heads up just in case the bicyclist changes his mind in a day or two.

Answer 6

Uh, Binky, you ALWAYS notify your insurance company when you've had an accident. Otherwise, when the attorney for that other party contacts your insurance company claiming that his client has sustained severe injuries, your company is going to wonder WHY IT WAS that you didn't contact them.

As in "We're tired of these scam artists and their doctors and lawyers making false claims - wonder if our insured is in on this one."

I've been through what I've just described. Your contract with your insurance company compels you to report accidents to them - usually within 72 hours of the accident.

Answer 7

Hopefully you exchanged information. Get a copy of the police report, the statute of limitations grants 2 years for a person to sue in an auto accident.

Answer 8

Ummm yess.. And no... Depending on the situation if you hit my car out of anger hell yes I'd be mad.. You betta go hide.. But if your driven and sumone hit ou I'd be mad that my car is hit and damage but as long as your safe I wouldn't be that mad.. But if you caused the accident I'd be super mad. Even more if you got sumone hurt... But if you caused the accident I don't think I'd trust you to drive my baby again...

Answer 9

DO nothing. If you report it even for record purposes only to the insurance co., they will raise the rates since your risk will be higher next year. You were lucky. Be happy!

Answer 10

CONTACT THE INSURANCE COMPANY! people say they are fine until they go home and discuss it with family and friends. Then all of a sudden they want to sue you.