Rear ended .. by a PI attorney no less

SolaireSolstice · #1 02-28-2009, 03:29 PM

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I was rear ended last night by another car in an intersection after work. Light had just turned green, cars in front of me had just started to move, and I felt a big jolt from behind. We pulled off the road into a business to check damage. No witnesses pulled off with us, although the intersection was very busy. I called the police. The other driver did not want to wait for the police, he was "in a hurry; it's going to take hours" (no ****, maybe he should have slowed down a bit then we wouldn't be in this nonsense). But I pointed out we were in the medical center and it just wouldn't take that long. Other driver refused to wait, and short of me (small woman) tackling him (healthy looking man) and hog tying him, he was NOT going to stay. I took his business card and took down his insurance information. It wasn't until after he drove off that I read his business card and registered the irony of him being "Board certified in personal injury law". Police showed up less than 10 minutes after other driver left (I TOLD him it wouldn't take long). Officer took the information I had taken off the other driver and mine and gave me a "do it yourself" accident report to fill out and submit within 10 days.

There doesn't appear to be any damage to my car. I drive a small sedan that usually takes damage pretty easily, and it didn't even buckle the bumper. Seams where the bumper meets the quarter panels are even and no separation is obvious. Trunk opens fine. Rear lights work. Not even a paint transfer (his car was black and mine is beige so it would be obvious). I am not hurt. Since the light had just changed, I believe he just simply was not going fast enough to cause damage.

I am really unsure as to what my responsibilities are at this point. We (both me and the other driver) have the same auto insurance company. I have full coverage, including PIP. I am concerned because obviously this guy would have more knowledge about the laws and I don't want it coming back that any damage or injury he has would be my fault. I think I need to fill out the Driver's Crash Report and turn it in to get the accident report on record, just in case, right? Do I need to report the accident to the insurance company if there is no discernable damage and I am not hurt?

Thanks for any advice.

Labtec600 · #2 03-01-2009, 05:57 PM

You could file a claim with your insurance (your policy) just for report only purposes if you're worried about it.

That way your insurance has notice of the loss in case anything pops up...even though I doubt it seeing he rear-ended you.

ecmst12 · #3 03-01-2009, 06:14 PM

If you want your damage fixed, file a claim with his policy.

SolaireSolstice · #4 03-01-2009, 07:21 PM

As I said, I don't believe there is any damage. And his insurance company = my insurance company.

Is there any reason to report an accident to the insurance company if there is no damage?

ecmst12 · #5 03-01-2009, 07:45 PM

Doesn't matter whether it's the same company or not, but if you don't want to file a claim, you don't have to.