Urgent Help : Accident

yaz2010

Hi members, I really need help. I have just had a accident.
I was driving in the middle lane of the motorway. It was stop-go traffic. I have hit the car in front.
The dent is on the front bumper towards the left side and the car in front has got a dent on the right rear bumper.
I have never been involved in this before. We bot exchanged phone numbers and took pictures of the car.
I dont know how I hit the car or whether he just cut in front. I am completely in a state of shock.
Please let me know how should I proceed.
I have never claimed insurance and i have got 6 years insurance.
Please help. Should I inform the insurance company or should I wait for that person to contact me ?

Please help.

motorguy

Personally, i'd ring the insurance company now.

It will probably go against you unless the other driver says he cut in and / or there are witnesses.

The insurance will sort it all out - thats what you pay them for.

yaz2010

It was 6.30 pm on the motorway with lot of traffic. I was the only one in the car and he was the only one in the car.

How could there be witnesses ?

yaz2010

I am just worried about insurance premiums as I am looking at replacement rear bumpers and it seems to be quite cheap to replace if it the issue is settled offline. I am worried if I have to pay £1000's and increase my premiums for lifetime.

motorguy

yaz2010 wrote: »

It was 6.30 pm on the motorway with lot of traffic. I was the only one in the car and he was the only one in the car.

How could there be witnesses ?

If you were on a busy motorway, it would suggest there were a lot of witnesses.

However, i'm guessing no-one stopped at the time

lincroft1710

yaz2010 wrote: »

I dont know how I hit the car or whether he just cut in front.

This statement suggests you were not paying attention to what was happening on the carriageway in front of you.

yaz2010

No one stopped. I am really not sure what happened.

motorguy

yaz2010 wrote: »

I am just worried about insurance premiums as I am looking at replacement rear bumpers and it seems to be quite cheap to replace if it the issue is settled offline. I am worried if I have to pay £1000's and increase my premiums for lifetime.

I had a guy drive in to the back of me some years ago and it looked for all the world like just a rippled bumper.

Unfortunately modern bumpers are designed to bounce back into shape and this can hide damage to the metalwork.

In my case the car needed a new rear bumper, new inner bumper, and new rear panel.

I would say the odds of him coming back and saying its £100 for a bumper are close to nil.

Let the insurance company do their job - your insurance will go up for a couple of years but not torturously so.

motorguy

yaz2010 wrote: »

No one stopped. I am really not sure what happened.

Genuinely - ring the insurance company and leave it with them.

Worrying about it doesnt change anything and it wont change your insurance premiums.

These sort of things can take over your life very handy.

yaz2010

I have heard that in such cases, the car which was behind is held responsible. Any idea about this?

somethingcorporate

Yes, without very compelling evidence to the contrary you will be held 100% liable. You were evidently driving too close or not paying attention.