Did I just get scammed for 400$ ?

[khansaheeb]

Alright, don't be hard on yourself now. Its $400 that you have lost where as you could have lost much more. Think of it as a learning experience and move on. Don't dwell on it. Such experiences in life are teachers.

So today I was coming home, it was raining a little bit so roads were bit slippery, At an exit I gave the indicator and a car from behind hit back of my car, and my car spin 3 times before going off road to grass, because of rain the Grass with water (I think) save me and my car from flipping over, I came out side quickly to check on other drive to make sure they are ok, a cop showed up and he ask us if we both are ok and need any medical attention, I was just panic and shocked and processing the situation cause this is the first time I was dealing with a accident and Cop, Cop asked us both to get our Registration and license, I get it but cop ask us if we don't want to file a report than we can go through insurance or settle it among us, he help push my car out of grass and he was on his way. The Guy and I was talking about and he said if I pay him cash than there is no need for insurance companies to get involved, he told me that would take my insurance go up and I had a 500 deductible which I would have to pay anyway, so he asked for money and I ended up giving him 400$ through cash app, my car was not damage just Rubbed off, his fender was damage and bumper was damage to and Rubbed as well. When I get home my room mates told me that I should not have done that, he did took Pics of my License and registration but upon transaction he did delete and he went on his way, now after talking to my friends they told me that I should've filed the report and he probably did not have insurance.

What I don't understand that I told cop that I am new here and this is first time dealing with this kind of situation and yet Cop did not seems to be helpful, he just bailout super quick. Now my friends told me that, guy can still file a claim from Insurance although there was no police report done so Is it possible ? they also told me he can try recover picture from deleted Pics but if there is no report can he do that ? I hope he do not do anything because I paid him because I thought it's easier and more reliable way as even the cop suggested that before he left.

Did I make a Mistake ?
What can I do better next time ?
If the guy try to do anything else what else I can do ?


@gambit @F-22Raptor @Hamartia Antidote @SQ8 @KAL-EL @JamD

First thing I would have done is taken pictures of the vehicles, the driver , the location, etc anything that can help in an insurance claim, lay blame and provide evidence. Should have looked for witnesses who may have seen the accident and were willing to support you. American police have more important things to do than waste time on small accidents unless someone is injured.

 

[fallstuff]

Just giving a signal is not enough. It is the responsibility of the car changing lanes to make sure it is all clear before changing lanes. Every competent officer will fail you on the driving test if you don't physically turn your head to check the blind spot before changing lanes. Just glancing in the rear view or side mirrors is not enough.

P.S. I am talking about cars. Buses and trucks usually have huge side mirrors.

You are not supposed to pass from the right side. Left lane is the passing lane, right lane is the travel lane in all 50 states. Additionally the driver has a responsibility to avoid crash .
If OP was exiting then the other driver had to be on the right lane.
Well he is off $400 , just be careful next time

 

[jhungary]

You are not supposed to pass from the right side. Left lane is the passing lane, right lane is the travel lane in all 50 states. Additionally the driver has a responsibility to avoid crash .
If OP was exiting then the other driver had to be on the right lane.
Well he is off $400 , just be careful next time

He is in Australia, Aussie drive on the other side in Australia.

In Australia, we pass on the right, almost all the highway exit is on the left. Which mean it is not safe to pass on the Left in Australia. US drove the other way, almost all ramp (I don't remember seeing a left turning ramp in the US) are on the right side.

 

[PradoTLC]

the times when the guy hitting from the rear isnt at fault...

remember just buy a dash cam...

 

[RescueRanger]

Brother just a word of advice - a rear fender bender is always the fault of the other party. Because they didn't maintain situational awareness and breaking distance.

If anything they should have offered to pay you.

 

[SQ8]

A bit late to the party but it sounds much like a case of immigrant fear being exploited by a racist “cop” on a power trip.

You have nothing to fear regardless of a passport or not. You should stick to process and procedure in these situations and not cower down.

Ive taken racists to task when I was on GC and I still take on people today.

This country isn’t without justice unlike other places so don’t be afraid.

 

[GriffinsRule]

I would not but I am in need of money and I was saving up for something, that unexpected 400$ will definitely hurt me.


Why did the Cop bailout in less than 5 mins ? I mean he did not see my License or Registration, he could at least check us both for Intoxication right ? I could be a drunk driving dude or he could be ? whether we file the report or not at least Cop should've done his part no ? I was expecting the cop to at least stay until the whole thing is over but he was quick to leave.

It's not a cops job to find who is wrong or right in this situation. Be glad he helped move your car. It is your insurance company that would do that.
In fact a police report is not even required for damages under a certain dollar threshold. I think in California it has to be over $1000 in vehicle or property damage.
Anyways live and learn and don't take the perceived easy way out. All that glitters is not gold

 

[gambit]

Thank god my car did not get damage except some paint and scratches, yes it would still take money but i can drive perfectly fine . My only concern is that he does not do anything else, or file claim as @jhungary is telling me. Its a risk to assume he is nice guy and won't do anything, but if he does I won't have anything on me to show anything.

Many people criticizes the US for being such a litigious country. But settling disputes by paper instead of bullets and fists is precisely the point. So for your stay in the US, if there are any issue that could potentially lead to a dispute, just document the hell out of everything in that issue. The convenience of the cell phone camera make this easier. When people sees documentation, it make it less likely, not guaranteed, that they will resort to frauds. I bought two houses and sold one, each event I took pics of ALL papers, front and back. Did not care how long it took.

 

[fallstuff]

Well I got scammed trusting someone to fish water pump when I was much younger. That was hard earned $150 I lost !

 

[Dalit]

So today I was coming home, it was raining a little bit so roads were bit slippery, At an exit I gave the indicator and a car from behind hit back of my car, and my car spin 3 times before going off road to grass, because of rain the Grass with water (I think) save me and my car from flipping over, I came out side quickly to check on other drive to make sure they are ok, a cop showed up and he ask us if we both are ok and need any medical attention, I was just panic and shocked and processing the situation cause this is the first time I was dealing with a accident and Cop, Cop asked us both to get our Registration and license, I get it but cop ask us if we don't want to file a report than we can go through insurance or settle it among us, he help push my car out of grass and he was on his way. The Guy and I was talking about and he said if I pay him cash than there is no need for insurance companies to get involved, he told me that would take my insurance go up and I had a 500 deductible which I would have to pay anyway, so he asked for money and I ended up giving him 400$ through cash app, my car was not damage just Rubbed off, his fender was damage and bumper was damage to and Rubbed as well. When I get home my room mates told me that I should not have done that, he did took Pics of my License and registration but upon transaction he did delete and he went on his way, now after talking to my friends they told me that I should've filed the report and he probably did not have insurance.

What I don't understand that I told cop that I am new here and this is first time dealing with this kind of situation and yet Cop did not seems to be helpful, he just bailout super quick. Now my friends told me that, guy can still file a claim from Insurance although there was no police report done so Is it possible ? they also told me he can try recover picture from deleted Pics but if there is no report can he do that ? I hope he do not do anything because I paid him because I thought it's easier and more reliable way as even the cop suggested that before he left.

Did I make a Mistake ?
What can I do better next time ?
If the guy try to do anything else what else I can do ?


@gambit @F-22Raptor @Hamartia Antidote @SQ8 @KAL-EL @JamD

That is fvcked up. The cop should have helped you out in such a situation. Looks like the cop didn't care. The fool who bumped into you exploited you. Sometimes these things unfortunately happen. You didn't know the rules which is a pity. Did you learn about traffic rules apart from driving? I get a feeling you didn't. Someone hitting you is obviously at fault. That is a general rule everywhere in the world.

You said it correctly. Time to move on and learn from this bad experience.

 

[Goritoes]

A bit late to the party but it sounds much like a case of immigrant fear being exploited by a racist “cop” on a power trip.

You have nothing to fear regardless of a passport or not. You should stick to process and procedure in these situations and not cower down.

Ive taken racists to task when I was on GC and I still take on people today.

This country isn’t without justice unlike other places so don’t be afraid.

No, Not at all Immigrant/racist cop fear, I just got shocked due to a near death experience, it was more like a accident shock and Panic attack. I never said Cop was racist or meh, Its just I hoped that he helped me out a little bit better when he literally saw me all shocked up. There is always first time for everything, I will take this as a learning lesson, I came back with my life and 400$ less in my account, not a bad trade.

Many people criticizes the US for being such a litigious country. But settling disputes by paper instead of bullets and fists is precisely the point. So for your stay in the US, if there are any issue that could potentially lead to a dispute, just document the hell out of everything in that issue. The convenience of the cell phone camera make this easier. When people sees documentation, it make it less likely, not guaranteed, that they will resort to frauds. I bought two houses and sold one, each event I took pics of ALL papers, front and back. Did not care how long it took.

Valuable lessons learnt from this, another lesson is that one mistake from you or anyone and you are gone, all that you earn and make will be left, Yes I am seeing it from a bit of religious lens but I am glad that I am alive and, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Soon I will buy a dash board Cam for my car and next time I know what to do, call police , let them file report, show them ID's and anything they want, exchange insurance information and let cops/Insurance do their job

That is fvcked up. The cop should have helped you out in such a situation. Looks like the cop didn't care. The fool who bumped into you exploited you. Sometimes these things unfortunately happen. You didn't know the rules which is a pity. Did you learn about traffic rules apart from driving? I get a feeling you didn't. Someone hitting you is obviously at fault. That is a general rule everywhere in the world.

You said it correctly. Time to move on and learn from this bad experience.

I did, In US you have to first pass the permit exam and than after 6 months of driving I give my driving test (failed the first time), passed on second attempt, but I consider myself a very good driver, I drove a lot so far in US. From SC I went to Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida (twice), Georgia , I drove in harsh weather, fog , even snow , and yet I have not even came close to a accident, I think that guy was speeding and I also missed him coming that fast as well, I am glad to be alive and Thank God for prevent a major accident or injury on my part, again I was only sad for a while that I am going through some weird situation here, and 400$ was something I could've used for something which is coming, now I would have to probably take a loan and than pay huge Interest on it which I really hate.

 

[Goritoes]

Brother just a word of advice - a rear fender bender is always the fault of the other party. Because they didn't maintain situational awareness and breaking distance.

If anything they should have offered to pay you.

Yes I know and now that I can think straight, Its just that was a bad time, bad situation and I just lost control over my nerves and fear, I mean after all it was my first ever in life near death experience, people say it right that we don't care about Allah until Allah show us how vulnerable we are and how close we are from death, from past 2 days I've been playing Surah-Al Baqarah in my car lol

 

[Genghis khan1]

sounds much like a case of immigrant fear being exploited by a racist “cop”

Spot on. Racist or just lazy Cop, who decided to screw over dumb sounding Desi guy.

 

[Genghis khan1]

Holy shit man. You’re from Karachi and got scammed like this? I thought you were some paindu because then it would have at least been understandable...

Karachi folks are the biggest phatu when it comes to confrontation. Specially around uniformed person. Paindu wouldn’t have given $400 even though if he was at fault.

 

[Genghis khan1]

Why did the Cop bailout in less than 5 mins ? I mean he did not see my License or Registration, he could at least check us both for Intoxication right ? I could be a drunk driving dude or he could be ? whether we file the report or not at least Cop should've done his part no ? I was expecting the cop to at least stay until the whole thing is over but he was quick to leave.

As an ex-LE officer, your post give me aches. You made me login after months. As far as being in initial shock and not doing a report is understandable, but using cellphone to transfer money is plain stupid.

Here are your options now.

#1. Live with the fact that you made a stupid mistake because most probably you wanted to avoid confrontation and or being at fault in front of the Cops. (Phat gi thi)

#2. Understand the fact both Cop and other driver screwed you over and take step to (somewhat)rectify the situation.

Cop didn’t wanted to do a report because that’s what Cops do, Talk people out of reports and than hangout at gas stations, sip free coffee. Cops are lazy.

Look up Police dept website, go to Internal affairs division. Call them and file a complaint, because officer didn’t help you, despite you told the cop your are new (or whatever you said). and you end up getting scammed for $400 at the police scene. (Once police is at the location, it’s a police scene)

If you have pic of other person Driver license or License plate than file an accident report. Since he scammed you, **** him too.

If you do not have pictures than let internal affair know that you want accident report Also. They will get the information from officer Body worn camera and send an officer to other party house to get more info and possible write him a ticket and than complete an accident report.

You may not get you $400 back but return them the **** you favor.