gacpa
Familiar Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2013 16:08:06 GMT -5
Posts: 738
|
Post by gacpa on Nov 3, 2014 19:50:36 GMT -5
Our son caused a small car accident Sunday. Truly a minor fender bender, but I am so upset and mad at him, I could scream. I just had to come here to vent.
They exchanged insurance info. No damage to his old car, but her new compact car will need some work. This is all I need to start the holiday season off right.
AAGGGHHHH!
|
|
t-dog
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 17, 2011 13:46:06 GMT -5
Posts: 2,016
|
Post by t-dog on Nov 3, 2014 19:57:35 GMT -5
Sorry!
|
|
cyanne
Initiate Member
Joined: Oct 26, 2014 19:46:52 GMT -5
Posts: 97
|
Post by cyanne on Nov 3, 2014 20:16:10 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better my son was in an accident (which he caused) and the damages to our car are $4000. We only had liability on it so we had to buy a new car today. He's a good kid but he's a newer driver (17) and makes mistakes-in this case an expensive one. I don't know what the other car's damage estimate is yet. At least insurance will pay for that one. On the plus side no one was injured. ETA: This doesn't start our Holiday season-it ended it. Merry Christmas son-here is your car! Don't look for much under the tree this year.
|
|
msventoux
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:32:37 GMT -5
Posts: 3,037
|
Post by msventoux on Nov 3, 2014 20:21:33 GMT -5
My coworker has three kids and each of them totaled a vehicle. A client has two kids and they managed to total four vehicles.
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Nov 3, 2014 21:47:00 GMT -5
How did he cause the accident? Rookie mistake? Careless move? Shared fault?
Driving home tonight, we passed so many drivers on their phones. Its so sad... And the stupid ones are the ones who will walk away without a scratch.
|
|
Sharon
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 22:48:11 GMT -5
Posts: 11,287
|
Post by Sharon on Nov 3, 2014 21:59:08 GMT -5
DD was in a minor fender bender as a new driver it doubled my insurance for 3 years. She hit a friend of families car while trying to park next to them at a sporting event. Got all upset that she had hit them so she moved the car to another spot and then apparently sat in the car for almost an hour crying before she called me. Luckily no one called her for a hit and run. (First thing we discussed after things had calmed down). I made her go in and tell them and they were very kind about it. I then went down and made sure they had gotten all the insurance info they needed and made sure that DD had calmed down. I probably should have just paid to have their car repaired out of pocket but because they were friends ran it through the insurance so there would not be any disagreements/discord. Filing the insurance report was interesting. The insurance company wanted to know if the police were notified and DD didn't know how to answer since the Dad of the family is a police officer. He was off duty at the time. Fortunately the insurance lady was also nice and I was standing in the background helping.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2014 22:04:49 GMT -5
Why so mad? Was he texting while driving?
|
|
andi9899
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 6, 2011 10:22:29 GMT -5
Posts: 31,329
|
Post by andi9899 on Nov 3, 2014 23:44:15 GMT -5
Damn kids! Then they wonder why we drink so much!
|
|
gacpa
Familiar Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2013 16:08:06 GMT -5
Posts: 738
|
Post by gacpa on Nov 4, 2014 3:09:43 GMT -5
No texting while driving, just not paying attention while he was pulling out of a parking lot onto a street while other driver was pulling in. He grazed her bumper. No police were involved apparently because it was on private property. He said he looked both ways before pulling out into the street, but did not see her coming in. She has a very small car.
I have offered to pay her repair bill out of pocket, and his car is so old I carry liability only on it. I have not heard back from the lady whose car he hit. Perhaps she will file a claim without allowing me the chance to pay first?
I am very thankful no one is hurt, but still upset over the lack of paying attention.
Our son is a good kid also, and I am VERY fortunate he has been very easy to raise. I am worried how much our insurance will go up if a claim is submitted.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 6:03:09 GMT -5
Heck, two years ago a lady and I backed into each other's blind spots in a parking lot. I'd been driving more than 20 years then. Stuff happens some times.
I know that doesnt help with repairs, insurance... But this is minor, in the scope of things.
Says me, who's oldest turned 16 last week, and is a bit petrified at the process...
|
|
plugginaway22
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 10:18:42 GMT -5
Posts: 1,659
|
Post by plugginaway22 on Nov 4, 2014 7:23:54 GMT -5
My DS hit the bumper of a man in a brand new Mercedes SUV that caused $1200 to repair! He had of course, no damage to the old beater that our 3 kids all drove. We paid out of pocket so as not to make our rates go any higher! Yes, all 3 of our kids cost us money in the driving arena.
ETA: and he was on his way to his part-time job at a coffee shop making probably $30 per week
|
|
The Captain
Junior Associate
Hugs are good...
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 16:21:23 GMT -5
Posts: 8,717
Location: State of confusion
Favorite Drink: Whinnnne
|
Post by The Captain on Nov 4, 2014 7:48:42 GMT -5
Meh. Minor damage, sounds like your son kept his head on straight and owned up to his error (no hit and run or trying to deny it was his fault). Understandable to be upset but if he were my kid I'd be proud of how hw handled it as well.
|
|
gacpa
Familiar Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2013 16:08:06 GMT -5
Posts: 738
|
Post by gacpa on Nov 4, 2014 8:04:26 GMT -5
Thank you, yes. He did handle himself appropriately it seems. She was very calm and courteous also. We will make this right.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,148
|
Post by alabamagal on Nov 4, 2014 9:02:16 GMT -5
DDnow23 hit a lady's car in the parking lot damaged one panel, she also was in minor not her fault accident DSnow22 hit a Jaguar in a parking lot (he didn't pick a cheap car...lol) DSnow20 totaled his car after we had dropped collision coverage (car was only worth ~$1500 anyway) also did a bit of damage to another car - his fault I am thankful that they have not been in any serious accidents at this point, think it is a decent record for 3 young drivers. Of course when my youngest first got his new to him car (he was 16 and had the car for a week) I backed into it in our driveway . Paid $800 to fix his car, it was under our deductable.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,148
|
Post by alabamagal on Nov 4, 2014 9:06:05 GMT -5
And also you can compare to some other young drivers:
- My nephew now 21 was involved in hitting a pedestrian who died from the accident. There was a big investigation and he was not charged since the pedestrian was jaywalking on a busy street
- Another nephew is 24 and has had at least one accident and 3 DUIs. He does not have a license
- Friend of my sons was driving home the morning after a party and killed a pedestrian, charged with DUI and manslaughter.
Compared to that, a fender bender is not a big deal.
|
|
gacpa
Familiar Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2013 16:08:06 GMT -5
Posts: 738
|
Post by gacpa on Nov 4, 2014 10:32:38 GMT -5
Thank you all for helping me put this in perspective. I have thanked my son for stopping and accepting responsibility. I called the lady this morning to see if she has any estimates for damages yet. It may be she will turn it in to our insurance before giving me a chance to pay, I have no control over that I know.
My son is 21 now and has been driving since he was 16. I guess this was bound to happen sooner or later, especially since he is in a very urban area with heavy traffic.
Georgiagal, kudos on your kids driving records. It looks like they are careful drivers. I have a family member like you have mentioned, with serious driving violations in their youth. He almost bankrupted his parents trying to keep him out of jail. Long story.
I just have a lot on my plate from now until Christmas, I did not want to deal with this. After Christmas, it is tax season and that will be a whole other mess.
|
|
lynnerself
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
Posts: 4,166
|
Post by lynnerself on Nov 4, 2014 10:52:28 GMT -5
Fender benders are pretty standard for young drivers. And even most of us. But what happen to us was less expected. We parked our new Escape (<6 months old) in a parking lot while we went in for fast food. There was a high speed chase and the fleeing car drove into the lot. To stop the driver, the police rammed her car into our new Escape Thousand of dollar of damage. I think the City paid for it to be repaired.
|
|
GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
Posts: 11,291
|
Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 4, 2014 11:07:58 GMT -5
DB had 3 teenager drivers at one time. All 3 AND DB had accidents with considerable repair costs. At one point, DB was paying...$7500 per year for car insurance!!!!!
|
|
gacpa
Familiar Member
Joined: Nov 19, 2013 16:08:06 GMT -5
Posts: 738
|
Post by gacpa on Nov 4, 2014 12:35:27 GMT -5
They would have to pick me up off the floor, GRG, if I had to pay that in car insurance.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 12:41:53 GMT -5
DB had 3 teenager drivers at one time. All 3 AND DB had accidents with considerable repair costs. At one point, DB was paying...$7500 per year for car insurance!!!!! I'm paying around $4000 a year with a 21 year old and 19 year old. $7500 for 3 teens and himself doesn't really sound outrageous.
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,148
|
Post by alabamagal on Nov 4, 2014 13:01:35 GMT -5
Mine is about $4500 for DH and I, a 23, 22 and 20 year old, 2 of them boys. We have 4 crappy paid for vehicles (no collision coverage) and 1 newer vehicle with full coverage. The 23 year old is supposed to get her own insurance by the end of the year and the 22 year old just got a job with a major car insurance company and should start paying for his own in January. That should lower to ~$2200. The youngest has 3 more years of college.
|
|
The Captain
Junior Associate
Hugs are good...
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 16:21:23 GMT -5
Posts: 8,717
Location: State of confusion
Favorite Drink: Whinnnne
|
Post by The Captain on Nov 4, 2014 13:10:44 GMT -5
~GROAN~.
DD is 12. I am NOT looking forward to her driving/insurance/stayinguplateworrying...
|
|
CarolinaKat
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 16:10:37 GMT -5
Posts: 6,364
|
Post by CarolinaKat on Nov 4, 2014 13:15:24 GMT -5
Look at how many people on these boards have gotten into fender benders. It's going to happen to all of us at some point. On Friday I almost hit a deer, had someone (same person) merge into my lane twice(!), and had a different person cut me off all within 3 miles of my house in a 5 minute timeframe. Any one of those things could have caused an accident. Drivers are idiots (I include myself in this category on occasion), conditions are iffy (every major street and freeway in the city I live is torn up under construction atm) and all drivers make mistakes, especially newer ones. If he got his license at 16, he went at least a year without an accident...I'd call that a win. I had my license 12 days when I totaled my first car. Granted all I did was destroy the bumper in an accident that the judge ruled was not a 'fault accident.' It didn't take a lot of damage to 'total' that junker One trip to the junkyard later the car was fixed
|
|
greeniis10
Well-Known Member
Joined: May 9, 2012 12:27:09 GMT -5
Posts: 1,834
|
Post by greeniis10 on Nov 5, 2014 12:29:42 GMT -5
DB had 3 teenager drivers at one time. All 3 AND DB had accidents with considerable repair costs. At one point, DB was paying...$7500 per year for car insurance!!!!! I'm paying around $4000 a year with a 21 year old and 19 year old. $7500 for 3 teens and himself doesn't really sound outrageous. DS2 (22) has a completely clean driving record and a CDL. He has a 2003 Chevy Silverado and a 2010 Honda Accord and pays $2600.00 /yr. He's looking forward to turning 25 hoping his rates will go down!
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 13:24:43 GMT -5
I'm paying around $4000 a year with a 21 year old and 19 year old. $7500 for 3 teens and himself doesn't really sound outrageous. DS2 (22) has a completely clean driving record and a CDL. He has a 2003 Chevy Silverado and a 2010 Honda Accord and pays $2600.00 /yr. He's looking forward to turning 25 hoping his rates will go down! I believe it's now 30 for unmarried males.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 13:41:57 GMT -5
With 8 years between them, I'm glad I'll only have one teen driver at a time. I already told older son if he wanted a car I'd pay his insurance for the first year, but then he's going to have to have a job to cover it. If he doesn't have a job, he doesn't need to have a car anyhow.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Nov 5, 2014 13:52:17 GMT -5
DS2 (22) has a completely clean driving record and a CDL. He has a 2003 Chevy Silverado and a 2010 Honda Accord and pays $2600.00 /yr. He's looking forward to turning 25 hoping his rates will go down! I believe it's now 30 for unmarried males. That's probably true. I noticed that my insurance dropped a bit around that age, but I also got married the same year so I don't really know if it was the marriage or the age that helped me out. At 25 I was seeing significant drops per year, but I suspect that was more to do with the fact that I only moved to the US at 23 and got my first US license then. All the insurance quotes I was getting were showing me as a brand new driver, despite having 6 years experience from my home country.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Nov 5, 2014 13:53:56 GMT -5
With 8 years between them, I'm glad I'll only have one teen driver at a time. I already told older son if he wanted a car I'd pay his insurance for the first year, but then he's going to have to have a job to cover it. If he doesn't have a job, he doesn't need to have a car anyhow. My parents always told us the other way around. They helped us out with our first vehicles (my was ~$1000) but they insisted that I had to have my own insurance policy and pay the premiums myself.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 11, 2024 2:15:35 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 13:57:17 GMT -5
With 8 years between them, I'm glad I'll only have one teen driver at a time. I already told older son if he wanted a car I'd pay his insurance for the first year, but then he's going to have to have a job to cover it. If he doesn't have a job, he doesn't need to have a car anyhow. My parents always told us the other way around. They helped us out with our first vehicles (my was ~$1000) but they insisted that I had to have my own insurance policy and pay the premiums myself. How is that the other way around? That's exactly what I said, only I'll cover the first year of premiums because I figure they need a car to get a job and won't have money for insurance right away.
|
|
Baby Fawkes
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 6, 2011 15:39:53 GMT -5
Posts: 812
|
Post by Baby Fawkes on Nov 5, 2014 14:21:12 GMT -5
My parents always told us the other way around. They helped us out with our first vehicles (my was ~$1000) but they insisted that I had to have my own insurance policy and pay the premiums myself. How is that the other way around? That's exactly what I said, only I'll cover the first year of premiums because I figure they need a car to get a job and won't have money for insurance right away. Just in the fact that my parents refused to pay any money towards the insurance. They knew that the insurance was the expensive part and they were happy to buy a cheap car, just not pay the insurance. I guess in their mind (really it was my Dad) if I couldn't find a way to pay the insurance myself then I shouldn't be driving.
|
|