What is a Fender Bender?

A fender bender is usually considered a minor car accident since it occurs at a low speed. During a fender bender, the involved vehicles generally sustain the most damage to their fenders. As such, they may require fender repairs.

A fender bender is a minor accident between multiple cars. Sure, it’s a fun phrase to say, but a fender bender is also a total pain in the ass. A fender bender is a low-speed car accident that doesn’t result in serious injuries; the vehicle damage is minimal, and your car is still in driveable shape. Examples of fender benders include:

Getting hit when you’re backing your car out of a spot in a parking lot
Running a stop sign and hitting another car at low speed
Being rear-ended in the Best Buy parking lot by a distracted driver who is playing Candy Crush on his iPhone 13
Rear-ending another driver because you were singing along to Bruce Springsteen and accidentally rolled into the car in front of you in slow-moving traffic

Most fender benders leave minor damage to a car. Should you call the cops? Use your own judgment. But whether you report the incident or not you’ll still need to exchange car insurance information with the other driver, and file an insurance claim.

Causes of Fender Benders

Some of the reasons why fender benders occur include:

A collision happens after a motorist stops suddenly and is rear-ended
A driver backs out of a parking space and collides with the car behind their vehicle
A distracted driver inadvertently strikes a moving or parked car

Regardless of the cause of a fender bender, it is crucial to know how to handle this type of accident. That way, all drivers involved can take the necessary steps to manage the accident’s impact.

How to Handle a Fender Bender

There is no standard approach to a fender bender. But, if you approach it in the same way as other types of car accidents, you can move forward from the fender bender as quickly and efficiently as possible.

To reduce your risk of a fender bender, avoid driving distractions, keep a close eye on the road at all times, and park your vehicle in a safe spot. Though, even by minimizing your risk, a fender bender can happen to any driver, at any time.

Fortunately, if you know what to do in a fender bender, you can get through the incident with composure.

How To Report An Accident And File A Claim?

Knowing what to do at the scene of the accident is an important part of filing a claim and, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), it can help speed things along when you do. Here are some basic steps to take at the scene:

Call The Police To Report The Accident And Any Injuries. First, check to see if you or anyone else involved in the accident has any injuries. Call 911 if someone needs medical attention. If no one is injured, you can call the local police to report the accident. The police may send out an officer, or direct you to the station to file a report. Be sure to ask how you can get a copy of the police report (your insurance company will likely need it).
Exchange Information And Take Notes. Share insurance, contact and vehicle information with any other drivers. And then snap pictures, note accident details and jot down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. It can also be helpful to take notes about the accident, including details such as what occurred, road conditions and relevant details of the scene. Your notes may be helpful for your insurance provider as they investigate the accident.
Protect Your Car From Further Damage. Get your car off the road, if possible, or set up flares or reflectors so you are more visible to other drivers, the III says.
Call Your Insurance Provider As Soon As Possible — Regardless Of Who’s At Fault. It’s important to contact your insurance provider after an accident, regardless of how minor the accident may have been, says the III. If the other party or their insurance provider calls, your insurer may be at a disadvantage if they are unaware you were involved in an accident. Your insurance provider will ask a few questions, explain what your policy covers and what deductible you’ll have to pay. Then, typically, you’ll have to submit a claim.

What To Expect After You File A Claim?

Reporting the accident to your insurance provider will get the claim process going. Many companies have a website where you can monitor the progress of your claim, but here’s what you can typically expect:

Call your insurance company. It is important to notify your insurance company right away so they can set up a claim for you and start the investigation into your accident and damage to your vehicle as soon as possible.
Get an estimate. You will need to have the cost to repair your vehicle estimated. The insurance company may send an adjusted to look at the damage to your vehicle, or you may need to go to a repair shop or, if available, one the insurer’s drive-in locations. Depending on your insurer, you may also be able to submit photos of the damage and then receive an estimate online or by phone.
Choose a repair facility. If you don’t have a shop in mind, you can ask your insurer for a recommendation. But, remember that the choice of a repair shop is ultimately up to you.
Pay your deductible. You’ll have to pay the deductible on your policy before your insurance will kick in for repair costs. But if the other driver was responsible for the accident, your insurer may be able to pursue that party to recover your deductible (state laws vary on how this is done).

An accident is never any fun. And, yes, it can temporarily take the bloom off having a new car. But getting a claim filed promptly and properly can help you get your baby back out on the road quicker, so you can enjoy that new-car feeling again.

Can You Seek Compensation After a Fender Bender Accident?

Victims of a fender bender sometimes feel hesitant to seek compensation for their damages. They wonder if such a “minor” accident really deserves a lawyer’s attention. Accident victims may even partially blame themselves for what happened.

Those are understandable emotions, but they should not get in the way of seeking compensation when a fender bender causes injuries. The law entitles all accident victims, including victims of fender benders, to seek compensation when they suffer serious injuries because of someone else’s careless conduct. In a legal action for damages, fender bender accident victims may obtain payment for:

The costs of medical care for their injuries.
Other out-of-pocket expenses they had because of the accident and their injuries, like the cost of fixing vehicle dents and scratches or of paying for a rental vehicle.
The wages and income they lose if their injuries keep them out of work.
Their pain, suffering, and other life difficulties stemming from the accident and injuries.

These categories of damages can add up to a potentially significant amount of money, even in a fender bender. Never assume that you do not have legal rights simply because someone called your accident “minor”. What’s minor to other people may feel major to you, and you deserve compensation for any harm you suffered.

How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Fender?

As with most of your vehicle’s components, it’s usually cheaper to repair your fender than to replace it outright. Several components affect the cost of repairing your front fender, including your vehicle’s size and the extent of the damage. Naturally, smaller vehicles and minor repairs (like removing scratches or small dents) cost less.

If your fender has only been lightly damaged and needs mostly cosmetic repairs, it can cost as little as $300. Small vehicles usually don’t exceed $1,500 in repairs, but as we said it depends on your case. If you’ve experienced a collision and your fender needs significant repairs, it can be much more expensive, particularly if you drive a large vehicle. Medium to critical repairs usually start at $1,500 and can go as high as $4,000 or $5,000.

However, if a fender is damaged badly enough, it can actually be more cost-effective to just replace it rather than try to repair it. The fender can also be damaged beyond repair, which makes replacing it a necessity rather than a choice. Replacing a fender is relatively straightforward for an auto expert, usually taking between three and five hours.

As with the fender repair cost, the front fender replacement cost is variable and changes depending on the size of your vehicle. Smaller vehicles can get a new fender for around $1,000, while SUVs, pickup trucks, and other larger models tend to cost anywhere between $1,500 and $6,000.

Tips to Prevent a Fender Bender

Defensive driving is key, particularly for those who want to avoid a fender bender. There are several things that you can do to simultaneously practice defensive driving and limit the risk of a fender bender and other types of car accidents, such as:

Turn off your cell phone while you drive
Pay attention to traffic signs
Avoid tailgating and stay a safe distance away from other cars on the road; ideally, you should keep at least a 3-second following distance from all other vehicles
Drive slowly and cautiously in rain, snow, and other inclement weather conditions

Along with the tips mentioned above, you should get your car checked regularly by a certified auto mechanic. They can identify any of your car’s mechanical problems that could otherwise hamper your ability to drive safely.

What is a Fender Bender? – Things To Do After A Fender Bender