How old were you when you were involved in your first auto accident?

[Scanner]

My first reportable accident was about 4 years ago - fender bender. I was 36. Other than that, a couple of dings here and there.

I rear-ended a Hummer with my old beat-up Buick when I wasn't paying attention at an intersection.

Ha, ha. . .when I do it, I know how to do it big. His bumper probably cost more than my whole car.

[kork13]

In that case, I think you'll find the accident rate is 100% as I doubt you will find anyone who didn't bump a car ahead or behind when learning to parallel park. With that criteria, I was 16 and didn't even have my license yet - just my permit.

haha I think I take the cake on this one... I learned to drive on a manual transmission, and 10 minutes after I got my permit, my father took me to the "practice curb" next to the DMV's parking lot (DMV also uses it for the driving test). First time: perfect -- didn't even touch either of the huge truck tires bolted upright (simulated cars). Second time: messed up the clutch and launched the car onto the curb. It took a tow truck's assistance in order to detach the car's under-carriage from a poorly placed re-bar rod sticking out of the curb.

Sooo.... is 10 minutes post-permit some sort of record?

@ the poll, my response was based on my first real accident though... I was 17 (but it wasn't my fault). Story's on the other thread linked above.

[asmom]

I was 17 when the other driver ran a stop sign and hit me on the side. Luckily no injuries. About 10 years ago, an elderly lady got confused and hit me and my family head on, again no injury. I was in 2 or 3 other minor accidents in between those and since. I've never been at fault, knock wood.

[Seeker]

I'm not really answering the poll -- because I don't remember when (related to my age), but I know there were a few in the beginning years.

Not all accidents are the results of the known driver ("me"), it can be and will, be the cause of another driver at least part of the time.

Dings and scratches (aka "accidents") are a normal part of the learning process. We all learn from mistakes. That's why there's Drivers Ed and Drivers Training classes.

Slipping and sliding during the not-so-often rainstorms and a sudden red light appearing just in front of the newly created stream of water crossing the street in front of the signal? Yes, in spite of my knowing that you turn "into" the slide, I didn't really know what it felt like until it happened and I didn't really see that stretch of water crossing the street in the first place.

Experience plays a major role in whether a person will or will not have an accident. Peers and distractions are often part of the problem as well.

[gamecock43]

I tease my husband that I have never been in an accident since I have had my drivers license.

I was driving home from work one night while I had my DRIVERS PERMIT! and turned left in front of a truck. No one was hurt. My car was totaled. (not my car. my mom's car). My boss was in front of me so she took me home. My mom paid a bunch of lawyers and made it go away. I'm not proud- but true story. Never been in an accident since!

[Goldy1]

My driver's ed training was too short and incomplete. I had a couple benders as a teen. None as an adult. I am careful, but I would die or get injured twice a year if I didn' t look out for others it seems. I am scared for my child to drive and he is a baby, but you can't shild them from life. Maybe the AMish have something goin huh? (half kidding) lol
I fear traffic accidents even tho I don't think much about it. I hate the lack of control.

[goldentraders]

Vehicular Accident!!!

I think I was 18 then, I was riding with my cousin...We were riding slow at 60 KPH, but still my cousin hit a sober man... I don't know what really happened cause it just came about so fast,then when I'm back to my senses, I found myself on the opposite side of the road, I guess It's just miracle that not even one car on that busy route bothered to passed on me LOLs... Glad nobody died on that incident and that my silly cousin happened to save her motorcycle while catching all the wound and scratches caused by the accident...

[Ima saver]

I have been hit twice, first when I was 17 and again when I was 26. I have never caused an accident nor have I ever gotten a traffic ticket. I have always driven like a little old lady!

[fruitbowlk]

I think I was 19-20. And the driver from the other car was trying to sue my insurance company I was shocked. He didn't go through with it though.

[creditcardfree]

I was rear ended when I was 17. I may have stopped too fast for a light, but the car behind me had a 16 year old who was probably on my tail!!

I haven't (knock on wood) been in an accident since. I'm 36.

[blankcheck]

Age 17. Left turn lane, with a separate green left turn arrow on the light. It was in that transition point of going to yellow, then off (the main light was still green). I was in the middle of my left turn when another car jumped the light (meaning, they calculated the exact time the light would turn green on their side; they didn't run a red light). My front hit their driver's side by the tire. Nobody was hurt, my car took the worst of it. Since that time, I've always been the annoying guy who lets cars get through rather than risk another accident due to 2 people being aggressive at once.

The other accident I had was age 25, rear ended, no fault of my own.