bumped fender

[firefly73]

While driving today in Nueces Co, Texas, I bumped someone's fender. Light tap, under 5mph, no damage except for a scratch or two. We stopped the cars where we were, got out of our cars, looked at the fenders. I apologized and asked if she was all right. She said she was, that I just gave her a scare, that's all.

Then before I can say anything else she gets into her car and drives off. Didn't ask for any insurance/license/any info, not even my name. I don't know if she or her companion wrote my license number down and car info down--I did write down her license number and car color (I couldn't get the make).

I followed the car for a bit in case she was looking to pull us over so we can continue this, but she clearly passes up several spots to pull into, and instead gets on the highway. I'm right behind her the entire time until she gets on the highway and we even stopped at a red light on the way, so there's no way she could have missed me.

Since she didn't ask for anything from me and didn't call the police at the scene of the accident, what, if any, is my legal responsibility to do? Do I call the cops myself to say I that bumped another car but the bumpees didn't want to do anything about it? Or should I chalk it up to "getting off the hook" and forget about it?

Also, if she suddenly decides down the road that she did sustain injury (she didn't appear injured in any way and when I asked if she was all right she said she was fine) or wants to press charges, what are my rights? Can she call the police on me after the fact? And if so, how long after the fact?

I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm looking to shirk responsibilty for this. I'm not--I've just never been in this situation before and want to know if there's anything I need to do.

Thank you.

 

[NYClex]

Most probably this is exactly what it looks like: The lady has looked at her car and decided the damage is not worth any more hassle and that the case is closed for her.

If you see it the same way, then the case should be closed.


Now, sometimes people get strange ideas. Someone tells them a week later that if they suddenly develop severe neck pain they might get a nice one million dollar settlement. So they run to the police and file an accident report and whatever claims they invent.

So, sometimes the other party, gets a nasty suprise that 2 weeks later someone claims you have caused a near-fatal accident.

But luckily, this is the exception to the rule. In most cases people mean what they say and you will never hear from them again. And lawyers, cops, judges, juries and insurance companies are used to these tricks nowadays. There usually are no million-dollar-judgments waiting out there to be collected from a fender bender.