Bumped into Someone Backing Out of Parking Spot, No Insurance, No Police Report

My question involves insurance law for the state of: Ohio

I was backing out of a parking spot after picking up my children at daycare. It is a very small parking lot and there was a car parked long ways (like the top of a T) behind me. I was in the row of parking spots, whereas he was behind me along the other edge of the parking lot directly behind me. I was backing out very slowly and trying to turn as tightly as possible, but I lightly bumped his car while backing up. I looked in my mirror, I didn't see anything, so I left. I didn't think anyone was in the car, so I didn't worry about it. I pulled out and started to drive home. Apparently, there was someone in the car, and they chased after me in their car and followed me a few streets away from the daycare. They were honking their horn, trying to get me to pull over, running up beside me on a two lane side street into oncoming traffic to get me to pull over. He ended up getting in front of me and slamming on his brakes so I couldn't move-there was a school bus right behind me. When he first came up behind me, I didn't realize this was the same person from the daycare. I thought he was mad at me for driving too slowly. So, anyway, he is on the phone with the cops once we are stopped and he is telling them I hit his can and ran away and they needed to get here ASAP. Well, the cops are literally a half of a block away and get there in a minute or two. We pull off to the next side street to let traffic continue. The guy I backed up into started telling the cops I bumped his car so hard that his back and neck hurt. The cop was looking all over his car and didn't see anything at all. He also told the guy to "give me a break" when he was talking about back and neck pain. The cop asked me what happened, and I told him. I didn't lie that I hit the car and left without doing anything. The cop said I should have at least given him my information. The guy I hit was trying to get the cop to give me a ticket, but he said there was no damage, so there would be no ticket, besides the fact that they had no jurisdiction because it was on private property. The cop gave us both a reference number where we could go to the police station to get information on the other person, their car, address, etc. I did not go to get any information. I assumed there was nothing really to do. The other guy apparently did and has filed a claim with his insurance company. Now, this is where the problem is. I have no insurance. I am a single mom to 4 kids making $10.25 an hour and I just don't have it right now. I have been planning on getting it, but I am more worried about keeping a roof over our head. We are so very close to eviction at the moment. So, my question is, what do I do? I have a piece of paper from the other guy's insurance company asking if I have insurance or not and if I have filed a claim. I do not know what to do. If this is pursued, my license will be suspended for 2 years and I will have to carry high risk insurance for 3 years, plus whatever fines I incur. If he tries to go after me, since I do not have insurance that will not pay any claims that are won in his favor, I will have to pay for those. I am assuming I will get a judgement from that, but to be completely honest, I am not going to nor be able to pay anything. If I had a judgement, I would probaby end up filing for bankruptcy, which I already need to do anyway. I wish I could just tell this guy there is nothing really worth pursuing because there won't be any money he can get out of me. I don't know if he is being so stubborn because he thinks he can get some insurance money or what?! If someone could give me some advice ASAP, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!

not sure what anybody can tell you that will help. You hit a parked car. You didn't see the person apparently setting in the car and then you left the scene of the accident. You are quite lucky there wasn't any noticeable damage as it would have become a criminal offense.


If the guy makes a demand of you, you either pay it or not. If you don't, they may sue you. Unless you can win in court, there will be a judgment against you.

In the interim, you might have dodged a bullet on not having insurance but I wouldn't bet on it.

I don't get why you are putting this in the other guy though. He has no blame here. On top of that, if his insurance company pays for his damages, you can put money on the fact they will come after you for repayment.


sorry you are where you are in life but the reality is; it isn't going to get any easier in the foreseeable future due to this situation.

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Quoting jk

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not sure what anybody can tell you that will help. You hit a parked car. You didn't see the person apparently setting in the car and then you left the scene of the accident. You are quite lucky there wasn't any noticeable damage as it would have become a criminal offense.


If the guy makes a demand of you, you either pay it or not. If you don't, they may sue you. Unless you can win in court, there will be a judgment against you.

In the interim, you might have dodged a bullet on not having insurance but I wouldn't bet on it.

I don't get why you are putting this in the other guy though. He has no blame here. On top of that, if his insurance company pays for his damages, you can put money on the fact they will come after you for repayment.


sorry you are where you are in life but the reality is; it isn't going to get any easier in the foreseeable future due to this situation.

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I know what I did was wrong, but he is trying to sue me for bodily injury. The cop that came to the scene even blew him off and said that he wouldn't have anything wrong. Have you ever slightly backed into a car while backing out of a parking spot because you were trying to make a tight turn? How much bodily injury can happen from that? I know that I can lose my license and have to have high risk insurance, I knew that was a possibility by continuing to drive, I don't mind having to deal with the consequences. When you don't have the money to pay the high risk insurance and you are just trying to get to and from work to keep a roof over your children's heads, you have to pick and chose what you can pay. We are about to be evicted if I can't come up with some kind of payment plan with my landlord. I always have a disconnection notice for all of my utilities every month. All I am saying, is that this guy thinks he can get money from me or my insurance company (of which I don't have), but I would never be able to pay anything like this. I need to know what to do now. I have received a letter from his insurance company and a bodily injury lawyer both with letters stating the same thing that I need to verify if I had insurance or not on the date of the incident. I don't know if it is best to fill out the paper and return it saying I don't have insurance, or look for a lawyer for myself? What kind of lawyer would I need anyway? I can't afford a lawyer though either? Any suggestions?

Here's what I don't get. I too was once a single parent, so let me preface this scenario by saying that.

You're a struggling single parent and you decide to break the law by not carrying insurance on your vehicle when you drive. You're driving and you hit my car. I'm also a single parent, trying to make it in this world, take care of my kids and go to work, but I SACRIFICE and pay the cost for the right to LEGALLY operate my vehicle.

You've got no insurance, so I have to use my money to fix my car, taking food out of my kid's mouths and what not while my insurance is doing an investigation on you...

Why is that, in your book OK? You choose to have a bunch of kids and a low paying job and you're in a position where you may lose your home, but how is that license to screw other people over? Is there a reason why you can't utilize public transportation? Is there a reason why you can't take a cab, walk or do what the other umpteen people in this world do who can't afford a vehicle?

And before you say something, let me say this. I now live in a city where there is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION and I see people, God bless their hearts walking to and fro with their kids and it's cold or hot or humid and the conditions suck, but they have the integrity it takes not to break the law.

Thanks for saying it CC. If OP cannot afford a car, she should walk or ride a bike.

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Quoting Disagreeable

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Thanks for saying it CC. If OP cannot afford a car, she should walk or ride a bike.

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The funny thing is that if someone hit the OP, they'd be the FIRST ONE in line trying to get insurance info. Maybe she should remember that should she be in an accident when they're at fault. God forbid they injure a child.

Well, thank you all for no help. Does it really matter about my situation? I asked for specific help, giving you some details to shed some light on the subject. I have finally found the courage to get out of an abusive relationship after many years. I am by myself. I had insurance, I don't have it now. It was one of the many things I couldn't keep up with. I have a low paying job because it is what I am able to get and what I already had. I was hoping to make it another couple of months until I can get things caught up with my tax refund and get insurance again. Where I work, there is no public transportation to get there. With people who know nothing about the situation or the details, I knew this would happen. I actually need advice, but I can see I am not going to get any. Thank you for all of your insults, I am sure that will help me figure out what I can do.

What advice are you looking for? How to stop the owner of the car from putting in a claim with his insurance? Too late, that's already been done. How to guarantee that the insurance company will not come after you? Too late, they already are. How to ensure that you won't be required to make any payment? Sorry, no such guarantee exists.

So, exactly what is it that you want us to tell you?

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Quoting Banana1025

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I know what I did was wrong, but he is trying to sue me for bodily injury. The cop that came to the scene even blew him off and said that he wouldn't have anything wrong. Have you ever slightly backed into a car while backing out of a parking spot because you were trying to make a tight turn? How much bodily injury can happen from that? I know that I can lose my license and have to have high risk insurance, I knew that was a possibility by continuing to drive, I don't mind having to deal with the consequences. When you don't have the money to pay the high risk insurance and you are just trying to get to and from work to keep a roof over your children's heads, you have to pick and chose what you can pay. We are about to be evicted if I can't come up with some kind of payment plan with my landlord. I always have a disconnection notice for all of my utilities every month. All I am saying, is that this guy thinks he can get money from me or my insurance company (of which I don't have), but I would never be able to pay anything like this. I need to know what to do now. I have received a letter from his insurance company and a bodily injury lawyer both with letters stating the same thing that I need to verify if I had insurance or not on the date of the incident. I don't know if it is best to fill out the paper and return it saying I don't have insurance, or look for a lawyer for myself? What kind of lawyer would I need anyway? I can't afford a lawyer though either? Any suggestions?

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What I asked before, see the last few questions? Don't be rude and read all of the info that is posted.

Speaking of rude, how about you tone down the 'tude when you're looking for free advice from volunteers?