Expert: Neil Wileman - 5/19/2004

Question
Hello Neil,

Yesterday I was involved in a slight fender bender while leaving a train station parking lot.  Both of us went on our way without exchanging information because it looked like no damage was done to their car.  This occurred while traveling no faster than 3-5 mph.  I believe I hit a trailer hitch on a SUV.

Today I looked and noticed that there was a scratch on my car.  I called the city in which the incident took place this morning and asked them if anyone reported a car leaving the scene at approx. 5:30-6:30 last night.  The desk officer looked in the computer and told me that no calls came in.  I'm assuming this is good news and that the damage to their car was minimal.  How do I know that I won't get a ticket in the mail for leaving the scene of an accident if he called the police later today?  Is it my responsibility to call the police every day to see if a complaint was made?  I have a perfect driving record and this just makes me nervous.  Can this person just say I fled the scene?  Do witnesses have to be present for that?  There were no injuries by far because we were both pulling out of a jammed parking lot.  

What has to occur in order for me to get a ticket for leaving the scene or would I get one for failure to report an accident?  I did call today like I said the city in which the accident occurred.  I got the desk officers name and the time I called.  Again, being a clean driver this has been making me nervous all day.  

If there is any light you can shed on the subject, I would appreciate it.  BTW, I live in IL.

Thanks.

Jason  

Answer
Hi Jason,

As I am in the UK the law is somewhat different. I would however suggest that neither of you "fled the scene" and if the other person does report it then they are as guilty. You had as you called it "a fender bender" - thats what they are there for. I would suggest that you forget the matter. Worrying about it will cause distraction, which could lead to a far worse accident.

Hope this helps

Regards

Neil