fender-benders

Low-speed parking mishaps

Fender-benders are minor car accidents—collisions at low speed that dent or scrape the fender but cause no serious damage or injury.

The term emphasizes the trivial nature of the incident: We got into a fender-bender in the parking lot.

The singular fender-bender is more common.

collision

accident

Unintended harmful event

crashSudden violent impact
bumpSlight collision or protrusion
rear-endButtocks or tail collision

parking lot · dent · scrape · impact · low-speed · intersection · backing up · sideswipe · tap · crunch

aftermath

exchange

Mutual giving and receiving

informationKnowledge about something
driver's licenseOfficial driving permit
registrationFormal recording of participation

witness · photos · body shop · repair estimate · inconvenience · hassle · paperwork · stressed · shaken · apology

insurance

claim

Statement of ownership or truth

deductibleOut-of-pocket threshold amount
premiumAdded cost for better
adjusterOne who calibrates

estimate · liability · fault · coverage · police report · no-fault · photographs · documentation · rental car · out-of-pocket

damage

dent

Shallow surface depression

scratchSuperficial wound or mark
scrapeRub harshly against
bumperVehicle's protective edge

bodywork · paint · chip · scuff · crumple · cosmetic · repair · panel · hood · trunk

Opposites

accident severity

fender-benderstotaled cars

Vehicles declared unrepairable losses

total losses · write-offs · head-on collisions · rollovers · vehicular manslaughter

driving outcome

fender-bendersnear misses

Narrowly avoided incidents

Family

fender, bender, fenders, benders, fend, fends, fended, fending, defend

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G