Need some advice for a car collision

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**MechaEmperor7000**

So this morning getting to work, I tried to parallel park between two cars and accidentally dented the one in front of me when my wheel came into it. Not that big, but noticable enough that it was visible from across the street. Since most people who park on the street are usually at work by now, I wrote a note and left it under the windshield of the car, as well as took some photos of the damage that I caused (or at least I think I caused, there's a scuff under his/her car that I physically can't reach with my car).

I've never been in an accident like this before and neither has my dad, so we're kind of unsure of what to do next. looking online, people say anything from "contact the police and file an insurance claim immediately" to "Wait for the other party to contact you before doing anything" and everything in between. Again, we've never had a situation like this before so I'm unsure of the next course of action, if any. I'm not afraid of the costs; I know I'm at fault and am willing to pay for the damages. I'm just afraid of potential legal problems if I don't immediately report something that I should have.

As for the damage itself, it's simply the bumper being bent in a little. I actually had this happen to my car before and my mechanic taught me a little trick to fix it (reach under the hood and pop it right back into place). Just don't know if the other guy would deem this ok or not. but I'm already mentally preparing myself to pay for the damages if not. If he does, then I will treat him to the most lavish dinner he will ever have and probably kiss his feet the entire way home.

EDIT: Note that I technically left because I aborted the parallel parking attempt and parked a bit far off where it was easier. I came back, took some pictures first then went to the office to grab a pen and paper to write the note. The car, once I got back, had not moved. Dunno if that would complicate things but I should mention it.

**Inquisitor Lord Bane**

Leave a note with your contact information. If its a slight dent then you might just be better served paying out of pocket for it rather than getting your insurance rates raised due to causing an accident. Seeing as most people would just take off, he might be grateful enough to not bend you over.

**BlaxicanX**

Leaving a note with your contact information was the right thing to do (morally and procedurally). Taking a picture of the damage was also smart. At this point you have two options- you can either contact your own insurance and tell them what happened, or just wait for the guy you hit to call them- at which point they'll call you.

There isn't really a right or wrong way at that junction. You won't be penalized if you don't contact your insurance before they do.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Left a note already. I also basically wrote a paragraph apologizing to him (not to gain sympathy mind you, I really am feeling that crappy right now).

I think he's probably a co-worker of mine. if so I'm gonna treat him to lunch one way or another.

As for the dent itself, it's kinda hard to describe. It's pretty big in terms of surface area but not that serious (like it's not deep, scratched or creased). Like literally if I was given permission I can un-dent it with a good poke.

**JohnHwangDD**

MechaEmperor7000 wrote:
So this morning getting to work, I tried to parallel park between two cars and accidentally dented the one in front of me

Yeah, you're supposed to leave a note with your name and number.

However, in the city, the occasional parking dent is to be expected.

So a lot of those notes go something like this: "LOL, I it ur car. call 1-800-SUX-2beU" or some such.

**MechaEmperor7000**

So an update. The guy just called me and we exchanged more contact info and will be meeting up later today or possibly at another date to talk things out. He says his girlfriend (the actual owner of the car) doesn't want to involve the insurance on it. I don't either because I'm a new driver and would like to keep my record decent. My dad says if he agrees to it, I should just hand him 200 bucks for the repairs and leave it be. However would that leave me open to him just pocketing the money and then call the insurance anyways? Is there some kind of proof I can get in this kind of case? Should I just involve in the insurance?

**Azreal13**

Don't give him cash, instead ask for your details to be passed on to the body shop and have them invoice you.

That way, you're certain that your cash has been used for that which was intended, you've not been ripped off on cost of repairs and you have documentary proof that you made it right.

Strictly speaking though, you should report it to your insurance company, speaking as the son of a guy who's been in motor insurance for most of his life, as that's the only way you can be certain of avoiding repercussions. This will likely increase your premiums irrespective of if a claim was made, but you'll avoid a situation much like yours that happened to my uncle last year, who took my dad's advice after a similar incident to report it, and returned home after 6 months abroad to find that a claim had been filed anyway in his absence. If he hadn't been preemptive, he'd have been taken to court and alongside all the financial implications, might have been convicted for a failure to report an accident.

Ultimately it's up to you, people do non-claim based resolutions all the time (did it myself about 4 years ago when my handbrake disengaged and my car rolled backwards into a car parked behind it) with total success, but it does leave you open if the other party has malicious intent.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I was told by my lead (who apparently has gotten into enough incidents to have a whole proceedure lined out) that if I pay him cash I should have him sign a waiver to cover my ass.

Part of me really wants to just say "Have insurance deal with it, I have enough crap in my life to sort through". I can pay it, I can stomach the insurance premium increase (especially since due to being the son of the firm's employee, I already get a massive discount as it stands), but people tell me that the victims would have their insurance increased too. And from the guy's voice on the phone, this would impact their lives hugely, which makes me feel like a dick for punishing someone out of spite or sloth.

Also, the bodyshop thing, how do I make sure that if I ask for that, the bodyshop doesn't just offer the most expensive option?

**Azreal13**

Get a quote, phone around and get at least two others for comparison, that's SOP when running a car through an insurance claim, no reason why you wouldn't do the same if you're paying.

You've got to be very careful with waivers, it's perfectly feasible for you to produce a clear, concise and signed document in court and be told it's of no value (basically, signing a piece of paper saying you agree to something doesn't make a difference if the thing you're agreeing to isn't legally correct.) It would probably be ok for any sort of civil issue that might crop up, but being unfamiliar with Canadian law, I can't say whether it would be any good should there be any allegations you hadn't fulfilled any legal obligations.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I might just do what you say, find a bodyshop that isn't a complete dick, and then have them bill me directly.

Unless of course they decide to hand the guy an executive car and bill me for 3k a day. Then it's off to the insurer I go (since my premiums for the next 7 years would still be cheaper than that).

**Azreal13**

Lol, I wouldn't worry about that, unless you tell the body shop to fix it and hang the cost, they're pretty much obliged to contact you ahead of spending any more of your money than previously agreed by the quote.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Be prepared for some resistance if they'd planned to grab some cash out of you and then live with the damage/get a friend or family member to do it on the cheap, but ultimately your responsibility is to put right what you did, and if they don't like you doing that your way, then fall back on insurance.

**Popsghostly**

Not knowledgeable about Canadian law either, but from a quick glance sounds like you are going down the right path. States in the U.S. have hit and run (for just property) laws that require notice with contact info. Some States have police reporting requirements too. I'm sure there's an internet site for the legal requirements for the province you had the accident in. I'd check those requirements. For sure the relevant laws governing this are on your province's statute site (but you'll be forced to sift through lots of stuff unless a website leads you to the relevant statute).

As to the waiver, its a good idea if you are going outside of insurance; there are plenty of forms on the internet. Generally you want language in it that whereby he accepts your payment of consideration for a promise not to sue, waiver of his right to sue, releasing you from all liability from relating to or arising from the accident, etc. You get the point.

Good luck.

**MechaEmperor7000**

Thanks for all the advice guys.

As for the victim in this case, when he called me he sounded pretty amicable and doesn't even seem to be all that concerned. I think he just wants the bump on his car smoothed out. He's been nothing but kind and understanding throughout all this. Still though, I dislike going under the table at times and prefer to do as much as I can the right way. Otherwise I would have just high-tailed it out of there.

**Kilkrazy**

Give him a cheque for $200 or make a bank transfer. Either is traceable.

It's unlikely he is going to try and bilk you, but in the event that he did, you would have a 'paper trail' of the monetary transfer that would be admissible as evidence.

To be frank, most people are OK and I think we all get a bit paranoid about this kind of stuff.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I did not think of that. Thanks bud.

And yeah I'm overly paranoid about this, but again it is the first time that's happening. I got this worked up with my college application too. At least my lil sis won't have to go through any of this cuz I can walk her through this stuff (the college app, not...collisions. Although given that she once tried to hand me the phone while I was driving, I'm not all that hopeful she'll stay out of trouble).