CRASH! BMW hits my C4- Questions at the end

If you got no ticket, I'd be tempted to not report it. BUT ...

The BMW guy just may turn it into your company if he has all your information and the accident report. He may well claim it was YOUR fault, like he did to the cop. So this boils down to how good of terms you are with your insurance agent. If good, go talk to him, tell him what happened, and tell him you don't plan to turn in a claim since it is such a small cost. He will be happy about that (no paperwork, no money out.) And see what he says about the possibility the guy may come back in a few days and try to claim against you.

If the BMW guy claims against you, and you have not informed them of the problem, your insurance will immediately assume you in the wrong. They may fight or they may settle in his behalf, depending on the amount the guy claims for, and odds are it will happen before you know. Then you will get the increase or the cancellation notice in the mail.

So be first up to bat on this. The best defense is a good offense.

This may be a bad time to mention it, but it is a very good reason to never do anything that seems reasonable, but puts you in the guilty spot if things go wrong.

- Passing on the right behind left turners - if they straighten out, you are wrong.

- Pull in the left (oncoming) lane - anything there becomes your fault.

- Pull off the side of the road to avoid - if the other guy suddenly goes off the road and you hit, then you are at fault (sad but true).

Michigan still has no fault insurance? Report it, "NOW", and tell them there was little or no damage to you, you never said if there was any damage to bmw. Keep your insurance company in the loop, and suck up a bit, can't hurt. He can come back and claim whiplash and take you for a ride. That may be the, pardon the pun, rub. Rubber comes off easy, light rubbing compound, autocross taught me that. Lived in SE Michigan for years and now live in NW Ohio, and insurance companies and cops do their own thing in both places, be up front and above all be first.

By the way, not all citations go back to your insurance companies in Ohio, only those that have an abundance of under paid and under worked police departments. My guess is that is why the was no citations issued, that way the cop don't have as much paper work unless some dope sues. As an example Toledo won't even make out a report unless there is a personal injury and/or over $1500 damage. Their estimating skills are based on how much work they want to avoid.

Dad

if the bmw guy tries to file a claim against your insurance? (sounds like he may) you may have wished you would have reported it?

my¢

Oops. The BMW had paint damage to his driver side front bumper and his reflecter was damaged. Honestly, he was waffling for so long on whether to call the cops or not, I was finally like, "I'm callin' the cops." Believe it or not, he did have his turn signal on for a R turn. He lied to the cop, straight up. He knew he was lying. That was hard to deal with.

Thanks for all of your comments. But I still think I should lay low. MI. has no fault. Is it wrong to not claim something that is minor? I wish I knew.

OldSchool

If the only damage had been to your car, i.e. bumped a light pole in the local stop & rob, that's one thing. The reason you have insurance - at least in states which mandate it - it to cover the other person's losses, not yours.

Read your policy, you're required in most policies to notify them of any potential loss. That's what this is, a potential loss as this prick in the BMW is not likely to fix his reflector, etc. out of his own pocket.

After all, it was all your fault, he had his left turn signal on the whole time

Get thee to your insurance agent, explain what happened and sit back and wait for the other shoe to fall. I have a feeling that if you talk to him today you'll still beat the other guy by an hour or so.

Is it wrong to not claim something that is minor?

The threshold varies by state and insurance company, but in Tennessee, if damage to ALL vehicles exceeds $200 a report ahs to be filed with the state. Sounds like you already did this by default when the police came. If the Bimmer dude lied about the turn signal, what's to say he won't have whip lash in another month or so? You KNOW how your head gets bounced around in those nasty side impacts - hardly scratched the paint, but I swear I almost broke my neck your honor.

If the Bimmer dude will sign a full and total release of any and all claims of whatever nature for whatever reason for any consequence stemming from the fender bender from now until the end of time, you might be okay not turning it in. My guess the guy is a liar but not stupid. He won't go for the release. If he won't, you need to get this turned in YESTERDAY.

Charlie

bottom line ... the law is what the law is. if you break the law in question? you are wrong.

'This BMW in front of me has his R turn signal on.'

Reply: Sometimes when the sun is bright, it can hit the lense and look like its flashing when it isnt by the driver.

Said that I was not allowed to pass at that spot. Said it was before the 'pass with care' sign. But, he did not give me a ticket.'

Reply: Good thing, cause it appears you were in the wrong for trying to get around him then.

'Any good tips on getting paint (or maybe tire rubber) off a white bumper.'

Reply: Theres a good product called 'Black Streak Remover' which RVers use. Works good. Available in Walmart for about $4. If that doesnt work, try a bit of carb cleaner and rub lightly. Wash it right away and put some wax on it.

The proper procedure for making a left turn is to turn on your right signal, swing to the right, then go left. Being facitious, but how many times have you seen someone swing left before making that right turn -- the big SUVs do it all the time.

---snip---

thats because they are trying to clear the corner. still doesn't make it the right thing to do. anyway, that procedure should not be nessassary in making a left turn.

my2¢