Crash Test Idiot

This past Friday, I was minding my own business, driving from one office to another just day dreaming about my lack of weekend plans.  Out of no where, the car in front of me slammed on its brakes.   Thankfully, I wasn't texting, reading, checking email, plucking my eyebrows, playing solitaire, stalking Facebook, or doing any other very safe activity whilst driving so my reaction time was quick.   Not so much for the child driving behind me though.   From the sound, I thought my car was going to be really bad although how bad could it really be at 15 MPH or less.   I pulled over to the parking lot next to us and was thankful she followed.  Immediately, she started apologizing profusely and we both went to check the damage on my car.   Not bad but not nothing.   I point out the two scratches that have removed paint and the bent license plate.   At this point, I had not yet noticed the other dent.    Nervously, she gets excited and says well it is not bad so you don't any of my information, right?   Huh?   Well, seriously that is so minor that you wouldn't really get that fixed, would you?   Huh?   Clearly your car has a dent on every square half-foot so you probably won't understand this - but yes, I am going to get it fixed.   She truly did not understand why I would want to restore my (leased) vehicle to its original shape.  When I was persistent about it, she told me that she has a friend who could just paint over it for me.   He is just around the corner and we could run over there now then she proceeds to do her best at straightening out my license plate.  Huh?   How much will it cost to take it to where you want to take it?  Child - I have no idea - I am not an expert in car mechanics as I don't make a routine out of hitting people. 

While I was trying to be as gracious as I could be, I got very close to losing it.   I looked at her and said - I have a job which I am currently not at because we are having this asinine conversation.   No, I do not have the time to run to your friends shop and, furthermore, you hit me.   I can see that this is a regular occurrence for you but it's not for me - now give me your insurance info and let's be on our way.   Blank stare.   Uhh, I don't have insurance.  Awesome.  How in world do you not have insurance?   To which she answers, well my dad does.   Congratulations, does your mom have it too?  

Thankfully, I am not a pro at this situation but on the other hand - I didn't really know what to do.  So, I got her contact information and her drivers license number and got back in my car.   I immediately call my dad and secretly wish that daddy can take care of it all for me.   After some consulting, I call my insurance agent to see what he thinks.   Basically, I am shit out of luck.   No way I am going to be able to get money from them but you better believe I am going to try.   Best case scenario - file a police report where she will get ticketed for not having insurance.   In other words, help the next guy she bumper cars (which is a whole lot better than nothing in my mind).

Skip to Tuesday morning, I go get an estimate at a place that is certified to repair my leased vehicle.  $450.    This chick is going to shit.  I call her and before I could say five words she asked me to call her dad.   Really?   Fine.   It is more than obvious that her dad has rehearsed what he is going to say to me and it went something like this:

Me:  Yes, I am calling in regards to the accident that your daughter caused last Friday at 2 p.m.   Just want to clarify because I doubt I was the only one that day. 
Her Daddy:  Yes, she told me it was not bad at all and that is just needs a little paint.
Me: Well, there is also a dent on the bumper.
Her Daddy:  I have a friend that has a shop - he will fix it for cheap - just take it to him.  If I am paying for it, I get to tell you where to go.
Me:  Sir, it doesn't really work that way.  Because I have a leased vehicle I will be charged if anything is not returned to it's original condition - therefore, I need to take it to a certified body shop for my vehicle.  
Her Daddy:  I can't afford to pay for one of those expensive places.
In my mind: You should be able to since you aren't paying for insurance.
Me: I haven't even told you how much it costs.
Her Daddy:  Yeah, but I know it will be expensive and besides you don't have a police report.
Me:  Huh?
Her Daddy:  You don't have a police report stating that it even happened. 
Me:   Actually, I have a completed police report right in front of me.   I thought I would give you the chance to handle this before I turned it in.   Forewarning, the police will then have all rights to give your daughter a ticket for not having insurance.
Her Daddy:  Uh, uh, uh.  It's not like my daughter is a bad driver.  You stopped fast.
Me:  At no point did I say or imply that your daughter is a bad driver.   And yes, I stopped fast as did the car in front of me but I didn't hit that car.   Your daughter hit me.
Her Daddy:  Well, can't you just tell them it was me that was driving. 
Me:  Sir, that is called Insurance Fraud and no, I will not do that.
Her Daddy:  I don't have any money - I will have to call my agent and call you back. 
Me:  You want my number? 
Her Daddy:  No, I got it.
Me: What about my name?
Her Daddy:  Whatever.
Me:  Well, talk to you tomorrow.  

Shockingly, he didn't call me back.   So, I left a message for him politely explaining that I was on my way over to the police station to file a report.  

Honestly, it's the principal of the whole thing.  I don't have an extra $400 just sitting in my bank account in case an idiot 18 year-old without insurance hits me.   The person being hit is the innocent victim - I did nothing wrong and I am the one out the time and probably money having to deal with the whole ordeal.   In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal but I just don't get what is wrong with people.   Why does it feel sometimes like there are so few decent human beings left?