4RUNR

So I'm stopped at this yield sign on the ramp onto another major street, looking for the traffic to clear. I'm obviously leaning forward with my head turned back to see the cars. Then BAM!

A new VW Beetle rams me from behind, and my head goes into the handle near the windshield. The hit moved the rear view mirror and opened the sunroof shade a few inches, so I'm guessing about 5mph hit?

The middle aged chick driver and I get out and look over the damage. Since I got a hitch, the only damage was to the rubber plug in the receiver, and amazingly her car only had superficial damage. Black mark on the yellow bumper from the black rubber plug, maybe it was dented in. Either way it was not worth more than staying in that dangerous intersection. We decided not to call the cops and just exchanged numbers, names and insurance info.

The guy in the LandRover who was behind the chick jumped out and asked if I was ok as I did have a nice bump on my forehead from the handle. I said 'sort of' and he gave me his name and number also just in case, a witness I guess. The bump went away in a few hours, but in case I wake up tomorrow with a migraine and would need anything, should I call up the insurance and tell them to open a case, just in case? Or it's a lost cause if no police report was made?

This happened near the Turnpike in SE Pennsylvania.

FirstToy

well if you think you might need to file a claim, call the witness and ask him to send a written statement or fax it over to you so you have a record of it from his point of view- while it was fresh in his mind.

Because of the independent witness, you're ok not filing with the cops I think.
If it's a small amount, I would try to just settle it between you and the woman as going to court or insurance is more of a hassle to everyone involved.

Of course, if it gets costly you have the witness account. Take some pics of your injury and the truck (even with minor damage). Write down your account and how you felt. Visit a doctor soon for your own benefit as well as any future liability.

Usually any lawyer will tell you to wait to file a claim since physical symptoms may take a while to occur. Insurance companies are the exact opposite and will want to settle immediately.

4RUNR

Good advice. Btw, check out the pictures, it just looked like nothing to even bother an officer for, but my pessimistic 'friend' already tried to scare me saying the chick might try to sue ME since the cop wasn't there.

4RUNR

and the VW.

Do you think the horizontal mark on the bumper was made by the hitch?! That the bumper was so elastic that the hitch actually went into it? The notch sure does line up well.

L33T35T 4Runner

i wouldnt worry about that, as you have a witness