When most people think of car accidents, they imagine high-speed collisions that lead to serious injury or death. However, even low-speed accidents can cause extensive damage to a vehicle. A fender bender may not seem like a big deal, but if you’re not careful, it can end up costing you a lot of money.
If you’ve had a fender bender accident, there are a few things you need to do to make sure everyone is safe and the accident is properly handled. In this article, we’ll discuss what to do in such situations.
What Is a Fender Bender?
It is a minor car collision where both vehicles are still operable, and usually, no one is injured. Damage is typically limited to the fenders or metal panels surrounding the tires, hence the name.
Although fenders can be easily replaced, even a small dent can result in hundreds of dollars in repair costs. In addition, fender benders are usually caused by driver error, such as distracted driving or failing to yield the right way.
In many cases, insurance will cover the cost of repairs, but the deductible may be higher, meaning that a driver will have to pay out of their pocket.
This is considered a small accident but can cause a significant financial burden for those involved. So, stay tuned as we’ll cover the cost of these accidents later on.
There is even a fender bender movie. So, if you are a movie fanatic, especially for horror movies, you can watch “Fender Bender,” a 2016 movie involving a teenager who’s had such an accident with a serial killer.
Does it Count as an Accident?
When most people think of an accident, they picture a serious collision involving multiple vehicles. However, the reality is that even a minor fender bender can be considered an accident.
An accident is defined as an unplanned event that causes harm or damage. The fender bender meaning shows that while these accidents may not cause serious injuries, they can still result in damage to your vehicle.
Fender benders may not be serious accidents, but they can still be disruptive. However, in most cases, a fender bender is a minor accident with little damage. As a matter of fact, a fender bender sometimes causes no damage.
On other occasions, this damage may be enough to cause your car to be totaled. As a result, it’s essential to exercise caution any time you get behind the wheel.
What to Do in a Fender Bender
If you find yourself in a fender bender, you should do a few things to ensure everyone’s safety and protect your interests. First, check to see if anyone has been injured. If so, call 911 immediately.
Also, call the police to report the accident. If you thought that a minor fender bender requires no police report, remember that many states still require you to report any accident that involves an injury.
Next, exchange insurance information with the other driver. That way, after a fender bender, an insurance claim can be filed. Be sure to get their name, contact information, and insurance carrier. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the damage to both vehicles.
So, if you wonder: “what do you do after a non-injury fender bender collision once you have all the necessary information?” remember that you can file a claim with your insurance company. However, keep in mind that insurance rates increase by 41% after an accident.
The insurance company will likely cover the cost of repairs minus any deductible. Therefore, unless there are injuries involved, it is unlikely that the driver will face any serious consequences.
However, if the driver decides to leave the accident scene, they may be charged with a hit-and-run fender bender. This is a much more severe offense, and the driver may face jail time if convicted.
You can avoid legal trouble by simply staying at the accident scene and exchanging insurance information with the other driver. So, if you ever get involved in a minor car accident, do yourself a favor and stay put.
Failure to Report
Fender benders are a common type of car accident, but that doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. On the contrary, failing to report this type of accident can result in severe consequences.
If you don’t report the accident, your insurance company may not be liable for any fender bender damage. Additionally, if the other driver decides to file a police report or a claim with their own insurance company, you could be facing some serious legal trouble.
So, while it may be tempting to sweep the accident under the rug, it’s important to remember that doing so could come back to bite you down the road.
How Much to Fix a Fender Bender
Fixing it can be pretty costly, depending on the extent of the damage and the number of damaged areas. You can generally expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 for fixing.
If you have insurance, your policy may cover a part of the whole fender bender cost of repairs. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your insurer before assuming they will cover the entire cost.
People Also Ask
What does fender bender slang mean?
The definition refers to a low-speed collision that doesn’t cause much damage to the vehicles involved.
It usually refers to a minor accident where cars barely touch each other, and drivers exchange insurance information and go their way. So, that’s the most precise answer to the question: “what is a fender bender?”
Is a fender bender a big deal?
It depends on the circumstances and severity of the accident. If there is only slight damage to the car, it might not be a big deal.
However, if there is more significant damage, it can be pretty costly to repair. In addition, if someone is injured, that can be a serious situation.
What is an example of a fender bender?
You’re backing out of a tight parking spot and accidentally scrape the side of the adjacent car. Although there wasn’t much damage, it still counts as a minor accident.
Another example is a bumper accident: pulling into your driveway too fast and scraping the front bumper against your garage door.
You are driving in stop-and-go traffic on the freeway. The car in front of you suddenly stops, and you rear-end them at a low speed, causing a minor front-end collision. There is significant bumper damage and a cracked windshield.
What is the first thing you do after a fender bender?
After you’ve been in a minor fender bender, you should pull over to the side of the road (if possible) and turn on your hazard lights. Then, you should assess any damage to your vehicle and check for injuries.