If you accidentally hit a parked car, is the right thing to do to run or to confess?

[Krogan Doctor]

Doesn't matter if its an accident or not. Not being intentional just means there's no criminal mind behind it. You still caused damage to someone's property and you should have to pay the damages. This is why we have car insurance.

I would be pissed off if some kid just ran into my car and then drove off because I'd have to pay to fix my car because he did something stupid.

No offense (again) but Jesus said to not exact evil for evil and to turn the other cheek. Being a Catholic, this is just what I would do (not demand reimbursement).

 

[Krogan Doctor]

Standing up for justice is good, but forgiveness is superior. "Mercy triumphs over justice."

 

[Archbob]

Standing up for justice is good, but forgiveness is superior. "Mercy triumphs over justice."

First of all, whether he decides to seek damages is his choice, not yours. You do not get to make that decision for someone else. Its still your responsibility to own up to what you did. Jesus never tells anyone anywhere to not confess their wrongdoings.

 

[Synobun]

No offense (again) but Jesus said to not exact evil for evil and to turn the other cheek. Being a Catholic, this is just what I would do (not demand reimbursement).

I fail to see how expecting accountability is evil.

 

[Archbob]

You can't use the Bible to justify your stance because:

Numbers 5:5-8

The lord said to moses, "say to the israelites: ‘when a man or woman wrongers another in any way and so is unfaithful to the lord, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong and add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wrongs.

Jesus did not come to overthrow the law, but to fulfill it.

Basically if you hit someone's car and damage it, you have to confess and give him resistitution for it.

 

[Hygro]

Go all in:

Spoiler :

All in, or the extra mile?

Spoiler :

 

[Bamspeedy]

If you leave the accident without confessing you run the risk someone did see you and you will get charged with a 'hit and run' (not very fun to deal with).

I would call the police to report it rather than knocking on doors looking for the owner. I'm not a fan of leaving a note, because if the wind blows it away, or some prankster decides to hide it and then make an anonymous call....

 

[bhsup]

You confess. Replace car with dog and ask yourself again. Would you want to be the insensitive bastard that kills someone's dog and just takes off, or would you do the right thing and let them know? The choice is obvious.

 

[Synobun]

You confess. Replace car with dog and ask yourself again. Would you want to be the insensitive bastard that kills someone's dog and just takes off, or would you do the right thing and let them know? The choice is obvious.

But he's a religious man!

 

[bhsup]

So then confess and offer to say a prayer for the car/dog?

 

[Mise]

What the hell? No decent human being over the age of 8 would need to ask this question.

 

[Hygro]

Better to ask and learn not to shirk than to not ask and shirk, though.

 

[Mise]

True. Also there may be cultural differences that I'm not aware of. Maybe in other countries, accidental damage really is just an "oh noes such is life" thing, whereas in the West, it's more like "omg you broke my car you better pay for that!"

 

[bathsheba666]

Arguments for running:

1. It's not anybody's fault (not deliberately)
2. Confessing feeds the victim's anger (once they discover their wrecked car)


Arguments for confessing:

1. They may only have the one car and need it for work etc.


To run or to confess?

Your arguments for are both wrong.

It is your fault - deliberate is irrelevant. If your wild assumption number 2 happens to be correct on some occasions, that is also no reason to 'run'.


In the past I simply left my contact details on a note under the windscreen wipers.
The response was gratitude, not anger.

 

[Hygro]

True. Also there may be cultural differences that I'm not aware of. Maybe in other countries, accidental damage really is just an "oh noes such is life" thing, whereas in the West, it's more like "omg you broke my car you better pay for that!"

Maybe. I bet you're with me and thinking people'd be even more pissed, though.

 

[Josu]

The rigth thing is to confess.
For several reasons, people does not aways do the right thing

 

[Synobun]

Maybe. I bet you're with me and thinking people'd be even more pissed, though.

I can't imagine there being a situation that someone would be more pissed with someone owning up to the mistake rather than coming back to a damaged car with nobody in sight. Maybe someone who has given up on life would be less upset if no one was around? Pretty odd thing to bank on, though.

 

[Perfection]

If someone hit my car failure to confess would feed my anger far more then confession

 

[Quackers]

Running away would be sheer scumbaggery.
You made a mistake, you've damaged someones elses property unintentionally. Still, you are at fault and you're responsible to confess and take the hit.

 

[Borachio]

This is a silly question.

It reminds me, though, of the story about a man who accidentally hit a parked car in front of numerous witnesses. He left a note on the windscreen of the damaged car. It read "The people watching me write this think I'm leaving you my name and address. I'm not".