I agree with t_mokes that, if conditions and the law permit, it makes sense to assess the damage quickly.

But it's important to keep in mind a few things: if you're in traffic when you're hit, it could be very dangerous to get out of the car on the roadway just to see how badly your bumper is scratched; the bumper will be easier to repair than your body will, if you get hit by traffic while you're hanging around on the highway assessing damage. I would be particularly reluctant to check my damage on the roadway when it's dark, or in bad weather. Consider as well that you'll likely be a bit dazed in the immediate aftermath of being rear-ended, and that other drivers will be startled and perhaps not at their best when unexpectedly coming upon your accident in the middle of the roadway.

Moreover, in some jurisdictions a failure to immediately pull your vehicle out of traffic following a minor accident is illegal; blocking traffic while you exchange information with the other guy can get you a ticket, as well a get you both killed by other traffic, and cause additional accidents. Strangely, in other jurisdictions, you're REQUIRED to leave your car exactly where it was hit after any accident. It's a good idea to know the rules where you are and, despite the rules, and despite the possibility that the other guy might get away, to ALWAYS do whatever is most likely to keep yourself alive in light of other traffic. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to just stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.

In any event, think about these things and evaluate your situation and options before reflexively jumping out of your car on a busy highway; there are more important things in life than making sure that the guy who scratched your bumper pays for his crime.

-A



posted by 67.170.22...

• Bad car day (long), KR900, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:01:17
  • Road gravel capital of the world, why?, JohnK, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 16:44:45
    • Re: Road gravel capital of the world, why?, Daanimal900, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 23:50:44
      • Re: cause we don't use salt, t_mokes, Mon, 13 Dec 2004 11:41:13
  • The '95 had clearly lost it's will to live, Ari , Fri, 10 Dec 2004 11:57:56
    • I think that's exactly what happened, KR900, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 12:33:25
  • They always come in 3's... n/m, KB900psi, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 11:35:38
  • Re: one good news for you, t_mokes, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 10:31:33
    • Re: one good news for you, Ari2, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 12:16:02 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Bad car day (long), Steve in Chicago, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 10:30:44
  • Sorry to hear, I think an indy will charge ~$600? nm, Wes, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 10:27:57
  • Glad to hear that everyone is okay ..., Urby, Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:41:56
  • Re: Bad car day (long), Dan , Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:40:11

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