I was in a car accident this evening.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (38708)
October 28, 2023 9:08pm CST
For the record, I don't even think I have been in a fender bender in years and years. The last one I can even remember was 1998? 99? I was rear-ended then by a young man who didn't stop, and he admitted he was messing with his phone. No one was hurt then, but he did a number on my car.
My son and I had been to pick up one medicine he needed that we had to wait--we went this morning and they didn't have it, they said they would have it at 6PM. On the way back home, I was on the highway, had just turned on the next highway and gone about 20 feet (I was in the right lane, there was a left land and also a turning lane, this was an 8 lane intersection) and all of a sudden--BOOM. An old van hit my front driver's side. The van had no working headlight for me to see, but she went into my lane. I pulled in the next place close to me, a Subway parking lot. We called 911 for a squad, the ladies in the van just sat in the road. My son made it out there to talk to them and they said they were fine, but they sat there blocking the lane of traffic. Waited for police, they came. The ladies finally pulled over next to me when the police came--and OMG OMG they had called for an AMBULANCE!!! NO WAY were either one of them hurt, she hit ME, and other than a scrape to my car, very little damage, mine is fine. Her passenger/right front side is squished in, but truthfully, the van was so beat up, I don't think anyone would really notice the damage! But off one of them went in the ambulance, as she claimed to have terrible neck pain.
I feel like this could well be a set-up. No tickets were issued. Report filled out. Insurance will get report.
I got the shake super bad. It really surprised me, I know I am a good driver. I also know this wasn't my fault. Yes, I had on my seat belt and so did my son. The other ladies said they did as well, but I still don't understand the ambulance for a bump that wasn't a crash, NO WAY was she hurt.
I feel scammed. Should I??
21 people like this
21 responses
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
29 Oct 23
I wouldn’t feel scammed yet. She might be worried about a previous injury or something? Or, she could be setting up her own insurance. Did the police indicate in the report it was her fault? It sounds obvious it was.
I’m so glad you two weren’t hurt.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
They are not allowed to say who's fault it is. They turn in the report, and I guess that's up to insurance. When I told the one policeman that her headlight was completely out on one side, he looked at her car and said ''Yes, I can believe that'' which is as much as I supposed he could legally say. But yes...sorry, but when you bounce out of your van claiming dire pain and then step up into an ambulance, I am not going to believe you are in agonizing pain.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Oh! In Oklahoma, they say right up front whose fault it is. It saves a lot of worry. She definitely sounds like a con artist. But she really could be trying to scam her own insurance. She knows they’ll give her more if a hospital is involved. Goodness, she sounds like quite a performer.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
@AmbiePam
No tickets, so I think they can't play favorites if there isn't. I am not familiar with accident procedures as I have not been involved in one for so many years now.
Yes, my son said she was trying for an acting award!
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472114)
• Switzerland
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle I know we have scammers who cause an accident to get some money here in Europe.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
In all honesty that vehicle isn’t worth repairing, it didn’t even appear to be safe to drive. But, that’s just my opinion, not from an expert. Time will tell, I guess.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
@LadyDuck
Unfortunately, it happens here too. If it comes to that, I will fight back. I have a squeaky clean driving record, and I plan on keeping it that way!
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
29 Oct 23
I don't think I'd feel scammed yet... Wait and see what happens before you worry too hard about it.
The last time I was in an accident, was four years ago, I think... A girl was driving a small sports car erratically... she kept slamming on the brakes in front of me. I passed her and went on... She started chasing me. I had to stop for a car turning in front of me and the girl slammed into the back of my LeSabre... no damage to either car but she stood in the highway screaming that I'd made her hit me on purpose. Since it was during the pandemic, cops weren't doing their job so after trying to call the police to report the accident and them hanging up on me, I took a picture of her license plate and drove on home.
I found out later she was friends with some cops in my city... That backfired on her when my nephew, one of the cops here, told her there was no damage so let it drop.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Thanks... I was glad, too.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
Some people should not have a car or a license. I’m glad her little plan backfired on her!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108144)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Oct 23
Your insurance will handle it and you should be fine.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
Eva, I am fine, it was just upsetting. Thank you.
2 people like this
@sallypup (61633)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Take care and wrap yourself up tight. You're in shock. I'm glad nothing terrible happened.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
I got the shakes and I cried for a bit, I'll admit that. I am SO careful! I am having some hot tea and trying to get warm, this all happened in a downpour of cold rain!
2 people like this
@sallypup (61633)
• Centralia, Washington
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Years ago I was heading down a city street, stopping for road work. The guy in a much bigger vehicle did not note that I was stopping. He nailed me from behind, knocking me into the other lane, causing havoc. He knocked my small car seat out of its frame. I was not hurt much but for sure emotionally I was a wreck. I've not had a wreck since. Thank God.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92589)
• United States
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle Hmm. Yeah. She's trouble. I hope it all works out and fairness and reason gets applied here. But you never know these days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
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29 Oct 23
@porwest
No, you don't know. It seems often the innocent is the one who pays in the end. I am hoping for the best. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
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29 Oct 23
These are my same thoughts. My son said the same you did. We watched her bounce out of that van and into the ambulance with no hesitation on her part. But she wanted to go and claimed horrible pain? So I just have a feeling this could be long and drawn out.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
Oh yes, we called them right away, and they came, report is filed. Something very similar happened to my daughter a few years ago, in another state. This seems unbelievably familiar.
2 people like this
@Vikingswest1 (6304)
• United States
29 Oct 23
If the police didn't issue a ticket, (assign fault) it's very likely going to end up with insurance carriers fighting over payments.
Did you get any non passenger witnesses?
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
One young man in a pickup truck was pulling out of an Arby's across the street. He was the first one there, but he didn't actually see it happen, just right afterwards. Unfortunately, no one else stopped.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41750)
• United States
30 Oct 23
Not sure of their motive, but so thankful you and your son didn't get hurt.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
30 Oct 23
Vicki, I am so thankful as well, thank you.
Ever since my son was in the terrible wreck, my entire family has become even more aware of ''the other guy'' on the road. The son that was with me is the son that was in that wreck. I thought maybe he might freak out over it all, but he ended up calming me down, I was glad he was with me.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
29 Oct 23
That does sound suspicious. It's easy to think of this afterwards of course, but if your son had a phone on him he could have recorded the conversation when he went to check they were ok. Nowadays it's always good to have evidence! Also a dashcam might be a good idea, I'm thinking about getting one.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
29 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle As I said, it's much easier to think of things afterwards : (
Dashcams are becoming more common around here, but strangely I haven't seen any reports of them being stolen. Whole cars, yes; wheels, yes; catalytic converters, yes; so I wonder why not?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
I am afraid neither one of us thought of recording anything at all at the time. That would have been a good idea. We considered a dashcam at one point, but then a friend of my son had one installed and his car was broken into within a week it was stolen.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
@Fleura
The catalytic converter thing is still wildly done. Someone tried to steal my son's, his car sits low, and they managed to tear up some of the undercarriage of the car...he was parked where there are no cameras, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
When I called it in, the dispatcher asked me if anyone was hurt, and I told her no. But then the lady decided she was hurt, so SHE called 911 for an ambulance.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181642)
• United States
29 Oct 23
I would wait and see what happens. Too bad you don't have a dash cam. I hope they don't give you any trouble. I'm glad you and your son weren't hurt.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181642)
• United States
30 Oct 23
@MarieCoyle You're welcome. The important thing is that you and your son weren't hurt. Have a good week.
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
We have considered a dash cam, but have not purchased one. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I understand. Someone hit the bumper of ours in a parking lot and kept going.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
7 Nov 23
@CarolDM
That has happened to some of my family as well. So frustrating.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
6 Nov 23
I just hated that someone hit my car. I pride myself on taking care of it. Thank you, I was glad we were not injured as well. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160952)
• United States
30 Oct 23
There are scams that work like this scenario, but there are also people who are so anxious and worried that every little bump becomes a major catastrophe and they are all the time expecting to be hurt, injured, ill, etc. Sending you a hug. Take a deep breath. I am glad you are fine. I would get the shakes too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
30 Oct 23
I accept that hug and it's much appreciated, Heather. Thank you.
Yes, I thought of the hypochondriac thing. I once knew a lady who called 911 for splinters. I am not joking. It's just a feeling I got, when I saw her bounce out of that van, claiming to be in excruciating pain. But you are right, I could well be wrong. I just know I didn't do anything wrong, I was in the lane and she was in two lanes when we crashed
@Tampa_girl7 (50528)
• United States
29 Oct 23
That definitely sounds like they were scamming.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80748)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
30 Oct 23
Don't worry yet, If you get any notice about physical injury then start thinking about what to do, I hope it all works our fine,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
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30 Oct 23
Thank you, I hope it does! My sons both say it's fine, mom...hopefully it will be. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14760)
• San Jose, California
29 Oct 23
What a scary experience!
I don't think you're the one getting scammed, but her insurance company might be.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
Time will tell as to what all happens. I am glad my son was with me, the police talked to him and to me both, that went fine, the police were very kind. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38708)
•
29 Oct 23
Let's hope it is decided in my favor. I have gone over and over it in my mind, and I can't see that I did anything wrong. Thank you.
