I just got into an accident - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

adiaw83 · #1 07-30-2003, 05:07 PM

I'm just am so mad/annoyed/frustrated right now. Anyway i was backing out of my driveway checked both sides there was a car heading away from me on one side and nothing on the other. I proceed to back out into the street. Next thing I know this woman in her car is comming at me in reverse at full speed from almost 100ft away I honked and she plowed into the rear side of my car by the trunk. She said "It was my fault I did not see you. It was my fault." The car she hit is currently unregistered as I'm doing work on it to get it back to 100%. The cops did not come. She gave me her info and I gave her my info. Before I call any insurance companies I want to know how I should proceed I just feel like **** right now. thats the only way I can describe it.

New2MBZ · #2 07-30-2003, 05:22 PM

I would call her insurance company, tell them you were backing out of your driveway to pull back in and move the car over, and their client was driving in reverse down the street and hit you.
I don't know why she was doing such a thing, but I'd stay focused on that fact and don't tell the company anything they don't ask. If they mention your car being unregistered, say "hey.. but I was only moving the car over in my driveway! I wasn't driving down the street."

I'm sure you know that these days, a car even parked on the street with no registration is a no no. If you will be keeping that car, I'd get the registration handled pronto.

adamb · #3 07-30-2003, 05:49 PM

Sorry to hear of your misfortune...
I would be cautious about saying that you were backing up at the same time, as I have heard insurance companies automatically divide the fault because so many accidents occur when backing up and there are inherent blind-spots, etc. Don't lie of course, but as the other gentleman said, don't implicate yourself unnecessarily if you can avoid it otherwise. Also, the insurance companies will likely require a police report to legitimize the accident.
Good luck, Adam Bush

adiaw83 · #4 07-30-2003, 05:49 PM

thanks for the advice I didn't plan on mentioning that to them. Also the car was still partially in the driveway when she hit me.

brookspw · #5 07-30-2003, 06:12 PM

I don't know this for sure, but I'd bet there is something in the motor vehicle code regarding driving in reverse on a public street (except for backing out of a space/driveway, of course.)

adiaw83 · #6 07-30-2003, 06:15 PM

I think you're right and she was not going slowly either. The impact COMPLETELY rearanged the articles in my trunk including a 75lbs box.

sokoloff · #7 07-30-2003, 06:23 PM

If she wants to settle this without submitting it to her insurance company, then that might be the safest way to get your damages repaired at her expense. But I'd sure want her to pay up quickly so that if you have to pursue it via insurance, it won't be too long of a delay. Basically, the insurance line is that if she was going in reverse and you were stopped, then she is at fault.

Good luck.

Len

adiaw83 · #8 07-30-2003, 06:25 PM

I was I just talked to her insurance company I think It was under the met life umbrella and they said she already called it in. The lady I talked to was not the adjuster but she said that the adjuster would be calling me and sending someone to appraise the damage.

Snibble · #9 07-30-2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adiaw83
I was I just talked to her insurance company I think It was under the met life umbrella and they said she already called it in. The lady I talked to was not the adjuster but she said that the adjuster would be calling me and sending someone to appraise the damage.

I would clean the car up and make it look as nice as possible

BoostnBenz · #10 07-30-2003, 09:45 PM

Yea I agree with Snibble, clean it up as good as you can that way it highlights the damage done. Sounds like they aren't going to give you to many problems, good luck with everything.

Mordecai · #11 07-30-2003, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by New2MBZ
I'm sure you know that these days, a car even parked on the street with no registration is a no no. If you will be keeping that car, I'd get the registration handled pronto.

Dude, In Kalifornia they can tow an unregistered car off of your private property. I live on a private road and they tow cars here all the time. Generally, most locales won't tow unless there is a complaint, however, real estate sales types will have anything they don't like towed if it's near one of their listings. In my area, Boulder Creek CA, we know that when a new listing appears in the area then we need to hide the unregistered cars.

I had an unregistered car towed off of my driveway when the house next door went up for sale. Luckily, they saved me the expense of hauling it to the bone yard!

M.

BoostnBenz · #12 07-30-2003, 10:32 PM

Wow, that is kind of absurd. How could a person just walk onto your property and tow something away?!? I could see if it were parked in the street, but your own driveway!!?

rmmagow · #13 07-30-2003, 11:24 PM

Personally, somebody comes on my property and hooks up one of my vehicles they are going to have one hell of a bad day. I don't know if this is actually unconstitutional but at least we still have the right to bear arms.

BoostnBenz · #14 07-30-2003, 11:29 PM

Very, very true.

Wasuchi · #15 07-30-2003, 11:54 PM

Yeah, I don't think I would try to tow an unregistered car out of a private driveway in Texas. That would be a really bad day around here.