Got in a car accident (I was at fault)

I have never been in a car accident before. The good news is that it was a side swipe of a parked car. My fault. And I think there wasn't much damage.

So this is what you have to know about me. In a crisis. I am bad. My mind turns blank. I had no idea what to do and I had no paper or a pen.

Since I lived about 15 minutes away I just went home to look it up. I was going to leave a note but figured in this day and age did I want someone knowing my info? Would they turn into a crazy person? I thought maybe there was some way via the insurance company to deal with the other person. So I went home. I then found out that was a big mistake. I went back and it took FOREVER due to traffic.

But god is good... and the car was still there. So I left a note. There was already a note there tipping this person off. I threw that note out. Left mine and went into the store to leave my name in case the note got lost. And while I was waiting I took photos of her car. The woman called me on behalf of her daughter. I am hoping it will be easily scuffed out. It doesn't look like there was damage to the underlying panel just paint possible damage. I had some like white powder on my car but most of that came out. I do have some damage.

I do not have collision insurance. I have on my "to do" list "reevaluate insurance" I guess god wants to teach me a lesson. This is going to be a costly lesson.

I feeling stressed out and spaced. This is a new car and I have been feeling stressed out since I got the car. The car is just too big for my center of gravity. I assumed I would get used to it.. I am not getting used to it. I came too close to her car because I just can't get how big this car is. I am wondering if this is the first sign I am old and can't see well. I have a eye appointment in two weeks but will I need to use my glasses? I think I am supposed to be using them anyway.

Feeling bummed.

((((((NatalieJastrow))))))

I'm so sorry about the accident. Glad no one was hurt. You're a good sort for taking responsibility for it.

You may want to trade in your car for a smaller model. The way vehicles are made there days, you can't see the edge of the car as it curves down.

Sorry you didn't have collision insurance. Yikes!

But, now is the time to get you affairs in order.

Heaven knows I need to get my affairs in order, including a crisis plan, and pre-prepared suitcase, in case I have to go to hospital.

Maybe try the 4-7-8 breathing technique to calm down.

Hope all works out...

Virtual hugs

I'm in Canada, so it may be different. When you don't get collision with your car insurance, it means other vehicles damages will be covered, but not yours. So the person's car you hit will be covered by your insurance, but you will be responsible for your own.

Yes I am considering that. The car is brand new but, I can't get over how expensive some cars are today. I looked at a ford explorer and it was listed at 27 K MSRP but they are selling them for 35K.

I am going to call my insurance company and see if i am covered. Hopefully I have some coverage but... we will see. I am still hopeful there is no damage on her car and what is there can be scuffed out.

More importantly than how you handled it, was that you did handle it. You might feel like you struggled a bit, but you ultimately got done what you needed to do. So, give yourself a lot of credit for that.

Totally agree with TheGal about how hard it can be to see the edges of a newer car. When I first started driving a larger car, I struggled with spacial awareness- it was what exactly TheGal said. I am somewhat short and, at best, the hood appeared to drop off like an infinity pool. The solution was two -yes two - seat cushions to lift me up enough to be able to see all four corners of the car well, which makes maneuvering much easier. Perhaps you're dealing with something similar?

Sending positive vibes that this all gets figured out quickly and becomes just a memory.

So the father of the girl I hit called me to say that he took the car to a body shop and they said there wasn't anything for them to do. So they took it to a "detail shop" and they said it would be around $400. So I decided that wasn't enough for a claim for my insurance. However, I was a little taken aback by his offer to have me just meet his wife for the payment. Like right then.

Errr... no.. you need to either get the work done or get me an estimate.

So he said he would. I sent all this information to my insurance along with pictures of the car in the state it was in when I hit it. He said it might take some time and I told him that was ok but if I don't hear from him in a month or so I will file the claim.

Well I think I lucked out. The estimate for the work on the car I hit came out to $300.00. So I paid it. I paid by check so there will be a record and I mailed it to him. I think I made out on that because I imagine that my car insurance would have gone up if I made a claim.

My car will require body work. I got a quote and it was a lot more than $300 but, not enough to make me upset. I did the math and I haven't paid for collision coverage in about 20 years and I more than saved money by doing that. I actually also think the body shop gave me a discount when they heard I wasn't using insurance.

I am adding to the list today to get a new insurance company. I ended up with this insurance agent via the small place I started with closing and being purchased by a large company and this large company has been unhelpful and having an attitude. They seem to think they are in charge of me rather than the other way around.

And I have an eye exam appointment tomorrow -- wish me luck.