Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 3/31/2009

Question
I was just barely rear-ended at a drive thru window about an hour ago.  As I was being handed my food, I felt my vehicle tapped and hit from behind.  I got out of my vehicle and the lady was saying, "I'm so sorry...my foot slipped off the brake...but, I don't think it did any damage."  I told her that I would be the judge of that!  I looked at my Escalade bumper and it definitely made somewhat a small divet in the bumper and some paint scuffs from her mini van were present.  I felt like I should have done something, like call the cops, but instead I told her it wasn't enough to worry over.  She appeared to not have a lot, if you know what I mean.  What should have I done in this situation or would have I had any sort of legal recourse?  BTW, I am in Louisiana..figures, huh?  LOL!

Answer
Hi Sonya,

Although we are talking about an Escalade, we must remember that it is a car and at least no one was hurt. The bumper is there to... well... take a bump. Hopefully any small marks will wash off. Nothing you can do about the little divit. Nothing you can do now since you did not exchange info or call the police.  Maybe you should consider it a good deed for someone less fortunate.

But the next time you go to this take out window and get bumped in the rear, you should get out and beat them to within an inch of their life. LOL

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh