So I decide to stop in a bookstore for a few minutes while driving between locations. I'm in my company van with the logo plastered all over and it's my lunch hour. I'm a good driver and always either back into a spot or pull through so I'm facing out. It's safer that way. Usually.

This time, however, I don't get my angle right and I scrape the bumper of the car next to me. I was going very slow so I noticed immediately. Once in my spot I checked the car for damage. The only thing I saw was where I had scraped off some road salt and grime. I almost walked away but decided to leave a note with my name and number and an explanation. Fifteen minutes later or so, I come back out and the car is gone. I say to myself, "they must have decided there wasn't any damage." I was wrong.

Just a few more minutes later I get a call. So we meet and I look at the bumper again. Sure enough, there's a spot where I discolored some of the plastic on the corner. The lady was nice and understanding, was appreciative that I left a number and almost didn't bother calling me except for the fact that it was a brand new Jeep with less than 3000 miles.

Ugh.

So I start the paper work. After a half hour on the phone I'm done and she's on her way with a case number from my insurance - or the company's insurance. But I've got 3 more days of paperwork and statements to fill out. I'm glad I did the right thing and admitted my mistake but wow! All this for a spot that a little 600 grit sandpaper and some polish will fix in a matter of minutes. As I said to the other driver, I would want someone to tell me and let me make that decision and not just drive away.

I'm glad I've never had to fill out an accident report before now. 

So there we are, a public display of my guilt.  Oh, the shame! Oh, the humiliation!

Oh, the paperwork!