Crash Into Me

January 21st 2012 I was in my first car accident. If you want to call it that. It was a Saturday around noon and I was on my way to work. I noticed that the van in front of me had really dim brake lights, but I didn't really think to pay extra attention because of that.

We were coming up to a traffic light and apparently the light turned red (there was a big truck in front of the van in front of me) so the guy in the van slammed on his brakes and I did as well. I ended up sliding into him anyways. Not very hard.. Barely bumped the guy.

We pulled into a parking lot up the street a bit. First words out of my mouth were "I've never been in an accident, so I don't really know what to do." He said, "Well, let's look at the damage." We looked at his van, which was pretty beat up, from a previous accident, I'm sure because I didn't hit him THAT hard. Then we looked at my bumper.. not a scratch.

He told me he didn't want to go through the police and insurance companies. I agreed, because.. well I was stupid, and I was so shaken I would have agreed to about anything. He told me he wanted $250 for a new bumper though. I told him I didn't have it at the time, but when I did I'd give him a call.

We exchanged information, and parted ways. After the accident I called my mom. She told me I handled it wrong, but I'll know better next time. She also said the guy probably doesn't have insurance and that's why he wants to do it under the table. She said I wasn't going to give him a dime and if he called to let her talk to him. He called a month later, but I was working so he left a voicemail. That was the last I heard of him.

Fast forward another month, and I got a phone call from a police officer and his insurance agent on the same day. I was working so I got voicemails. After about two seconds, I knew what they were both about. But I was definitely shocked to be getting a phone call from the police.

I called and spoke with the officer the next morning. I told him everything that happened (even the details I probably didn't need to tell him) and when I finished he told me that the guy I hit had tried to make it seem like a hit and run. The cop told me that he believed me, and he hadn't believed the guy when he originally told him it was a hit and run. So there are no criminal charges being pressed against me. Good thing.

Then I called and spoke with his insurance agent, who was extremely nice and said he was trying so hard to get a hold of me because his client was [basically] crazy. But apparently, the "accident" has aggravated previous injuries, so now he's claiming I injured him. So, I got off the phone with him and called my insurance company to let them know what happened. Now I'm playing the waiting game. But I'm just seriously discouraged with the human race and how someone can be so bored/angry/bitter that they would make up lies just to get money.

So, that's what's been going on in my neck of the woods. When it gets all figured out, I'll let you know.