My car got violated today...by a semi.

[MSP]

You are seriously delusional if you think the average driver is going to carry around $1500 plus the cost of repairs in cash. I'd bet he(the driver) likely only has enough to cover what he thinks the damage would be. Most drivers who are worried about keeping an accident from the company or insurance. Are usually living paycheck to paycheck. And it won't make him never hit another mustang as long as he lives. Nor will it make him respect the car. It will only make him think you are a jerk. And slightly less value? It's not being reported to insurance if you go that way. So only the owner will ever know it has been hit. No loss of value unless he tells a future potential buyer.

Well yeah SVT, this all a matter of opinion.. He could start out at $1500 in the hopes to clear maybe $500 extra by way of bargaining with the numbskull who hit his car.. No need to make sarcastic remarks towards me because I injected my opinon like he asked for.. Are you saying he should not be compensated for the loss of his vehicle while its being fixed? What value do you place upon a rental car while his is in the shop for ahwile? He may need to find an alternate way to work.. Afterall, his car was in the parking lot at work.. You seem to have been offended by my suggestion.. Why? Its my opinion, why should I be called a jerk Mr. SVT Badass? Real tough guy huh?

You know, having SVT in your name does not make you any more special than anyone else..

 

[SVTdriver]

Well yeah SVT, this all a matter of opinion.. He could start out at $1500 in the hopes to clear maybe $500 extra by way of bargaining with the numbskull who hit his car.. No need to make sarcastic remarks towards me because I injected my opinon like he asked for.. Are you saying he should not be compensated for the loss of his vehicle while its being fixed? What value do you place upon a rental car while his is in the shop for ahwile? He may need to find an alternate way to work.. Afterall, his car was in the parking lot at work.. You seem to have been offended by my suggestion.. Why? Its my opinion, why should I be called a jerk Mr. SVT Badass? Real tough guy huh?

You know, having SVT in your name does not make you any more special than anyone else..

Sorry if you thought I was referring directly to you. But I thought since we were talking about the owner of a damaged car asking for $1500. You would understand I wasn't directing it at you. And I never stated I was any better than anyone else here. I'm no better or worse than anyone else. I just happen to driver a cobra. That's it.

 

[MSP]

Sorry if you thought I was referring directly to you. But I thought since we were talking about the owner of a damaged car asking for $1500. You would understand I wasn't directing it at you. And I never stated I was any better than anyone else here. I'm no better or worse than anyone else. I just happen to driver a cobra. That's it.

Ok Mr.SVT.. But seriously, what value do you think he should be compensated for even being involved in this entire scenario? Nothing? You think he should just be happy to get parts and labor, and pay for his own rental car? Plus his time? Plus the fact that should he risk not making a police report, he could risk being screwed by the other driver, should the other driver play games.. This could get dicey.. The DMV demands you report an accident valued at $500 bucks or more.. Should he fail to do this, if and when he does take the other driver to court, for which he would have to come out of pocket, the first question from the judge would be where is the police report..

So, now for all this, what is a good dollar amount over and beyond parts and labor do you suggest would be fair for hitting a brand new 2005 GT Mustang?

Brand new 2005 GT Mustang man.. I'd be pissed off!!

Lets not forget he would also have to have the other driver tracked down and served with papers to go to court.. This could cost him $500 bucks alone..

 

[SVTdriver]

Ok Mr.SVT.. But seriously, what value do you think he should be compensated for even being involved in this entire scenario? Nothing? You think he should just be happy to get parts and labor, and pay for his own rental car? Plus his time? Plus the fact that should he risk not making a police report, he could risk being screwed by the other driver, should the other driver play games.. This could get dicey.. The DMV demands you report an accident valued at $500 bucks or more.. Should he fail to do this, if and when he does take the other driver to court, for which he would have to come out of pocket, the first question from the judge would be where is the police report..

So, now for all this, what is a good dollar amount over and beyond parts and labor do you suggest would be fair for hitting a brand new 2005 GT Mustang?

Brand new 2005 GT Mustang man.. I'd be pissed off!!

No doubt I would also be pissed off. But if you read my advice. I would not bother trying to settle this with the driver. I would take it to insurance to solve all the headaches before they happen. To me it's the only way that makes sense.

 

[KrisHorton]

Hey everyone, I just got back home. I was out all weekend. Thanks for all the encouragement/advice.

As of Friday morning, I told the guy he was looking at $1000. That includes the estimate of 5-700 to fix the car, $100-$150 for the rental, and then the rest to pick up any extra charges, but I am having second thoughs. I am still worried that I'd be screwing the guy over by reporting it, but I am more concerned with whether or not he can cover the cost.

Also, this might make some difference: The deal will be "mediated" by my company's General Manager, who is also going to be the translator of sorts. I have a valid concern that the GM might not be on my side in this case if I try to ask for double or triple the estimate. And I don't want to get into a situation where I look like a bad guy. Yeah, sure it'd be nice to keep some money for myself, but what it comes down to is getting my car fixed and looking pretty again, as soon as possible.

Any more advice? Thanks again!

Kris

 

[MSP]

No doubt I would also be pissed off. But if you read my advice. I would not bother trying to settle this with the driver. I would take it to insurance to solve all the headaches before they happen. To me it's the only way that makes sense.

You know what, seriously, you might be totally right.. Because its a Brand New 2005 Mustang GT.. The fact that a police report was not made worries me.. This leaves the door open for the other guy to play games.. I already dont like this situation.. But lets see what happens.. This, like I said could get dicey!!

 

[KrisHorton]

Tracking the driver down is not a problem, I have all of his info and he works for a company that my company uses frequently. I see him at the building a few times a week.

Kris

 

[KrisHorton]

Since one of the key guys at our company was there, trying to convince me to settle this without the insurance, I'm already a bit concerned as well. It was the end of the day and I had a great weekend planned (which was still pretty good) and I come out to see a semi just hit it...so I definitely wasn't thinking 100% straight. The guy told me he would bring the cash on Monday if I named a price. Do I believe him? No. I don't trust anyone I don't know, especially not after they damage my car. But we'll see. Right now I'm still unsure about calling the insurance, though the damage was over $500, so it sounds like the thing to do now.

 

[MSP]

Since one of the key guys at our company was there, trying to convince me to settle this without the insurance, I'm already a bit concerned as well. It was the end of the day and I had a great weekend planned (which was still pretty good) and I come out to see a semi just hit it...so I definitely wasn't thinking 100% straight. The guy told me he would bring the cash on Monday if I named a price. Do I believe him? No. I don't trust anyone I don't know, especially not after they damage my car. But we'll see. Right now I'm still unsure about calling the insurance, though the damage was over $500, so it sounds like the thing to do now.

Well, you can wait until Moday.. But next time, dont play games.. Dont have any sympathy.. You must understand this.. There is really no excuse for him being absent minded.. What if it was someone in a wheel chair sitting next to your car.. They would have been crushed..

In the future, dont concern yourself with someone elses problems.. Just take care of your own stuff(for use of a better word).. Now your stuck with a brand new 2005 GT Mustang that has been hit.. Or not a factory installed bumper or fender..

Bottom line is, stop worrying about other peoples problems..

No way he would have left without a police report on my watch.. The police report does not mean the DMV or the insurance company has to be notified.. It just makes a record of the incident.. Its used as a legal foundation to any possible litigation..

 

[KrisHorton]

Well, to be completely honest, the first thing I said when I came outside was, "I'm gonna be sure that this guy's losing his job."

But what made me change my tune was the guilt trips I got from one of the guys at the dealership and then the comments made by the GM. Now I'm back to my original thinking. What if the new bumper doesn't line up as nice or the color doesn't match? It's all his fault. What if someone was standing there, it's his fault.

So yeah, I'm talking to the GM tomorrow and I think I'll be telling him I'm going through the insurance.

I wasn't playing games either. I had to leave town the next morning, otherwise I would have handled it and I couldn't call him because he can't speak more than a few phrases of English. So, now I'm back, I'll handle it tomorrow.

Kris

 

[MSP]

Well, to be completely honest, the first thing I said when I came outside was, "I'm gonna be sure that this guy's losing his job."

But what made me change my tune was the guilt trips I got from one of the guys at the dealership and then the comments made by the GM. Now I'm back to my original thinking. What if the new bumper doesn't line up as nice or the color doesn't match? It's all his fault. What if someone was standing there, it's his fault.

So yeah, I'm talking to the GM tomorrow and I think I'll be telling him I'm going through the insurance.

I wasn't playing games either. I had to leave town the next morning, otherwise I would have handled it and I couldn't call him because he can't speak more than a few phrases of English. So, now I'm back, I'll handle it tomorrow.

Kris

Well, just wait and see if he pays you on Monday.. Then take it from there.. But remember this, the guy was Chinese, and the translator was chinese right? Your not Chinese.. So I want my damn Mustang fixed! How do you say that in Chinese? Ask'em!!

 

[KrisHorton]

I'd do just as well asking "how do you say 'Kris, you're fired' in Chinese?'" I'm the minority in this case. I will call him and tell him "bring $1500 (or something around there) and we will call it taken care of." If he shows up with it, then it's done. Yay. But if he says "half now, half later," or anything like that, I'll tell him no deal, and call the insurance. Does that sound like a good idea?

Kris

 

[MSP]

Please, dont take my advice man.. LOL!! I dont want to be responsible.. Have you priced everything out yet? I just want you to get the car fixed..

How about this.. You have a digital camera? Can you take pics of the damage so we can all view it? This way, we all know exactly what the car looks like..

 

[KrisHorton]

Here are some pictures, I hope they're alright. I'm going to get a little more advice from my boss tomorrow, I think he might have a good idea of what I should do. Either way, I plan to have the car in the body shop by Wednesday, provided the bumper shows up on Monday or Tuesday like they said it should.

 

[SVTdriver]

That's not a lot of damage. The way it was made out was like the back end of the car was hit badly. And speculating about someone standing there. If someone would have been standing there. The driver would likely have compensated more for the person there and not hit your car. Or the person there would have moved since most people don't like big trucks that close to them. It's all fine to say "what if". But then everything would have changed. By no means should be construed as saying go easy on him. If a driver made a mistake it is his and the companies responsibility to make the car right again. And to cover all the accompanying costs.

 

[KrisHorton]

Yeah, I was worried it sounded worse than it was. By no means did I think of it as worse than it is. The damage doesn't extend beyond that point, unless some grey metal underneath got dinged. I am happy to see the car stood up to it pretty well, those trucks might not move fast, but they're not light either.

Kris

 

[stanmckinney]

A little old lady backed into me a couple of years ago. My Mustang's rear quarter was damaged and it had less than 1,000 miles on it.
She admitted that it was her fault and said she'd take care of it. I said don't worry I've called the police on my cell phone and someone will be here soon.
When the police got there she told them she did not hit me and that the dent in my car must have already been there.
The police fortunately did not believe her.
She also told her insurance agent there would "be a problem" with a guy claiming she had hit him.
The company didn't believe her either and paid.
If I had taken her word for it and not called the police I would have been out the cost of the repair.
This happened in the parking lot at Wal-Mart and would you believe their video monitors for that area happened to be off at the time of the accident.
I was lucky.

 

[SVTdriver]

Yeah, I was worried it sounded worse than it was. By no means did I think of it as worse than it is. The damage doesn't extend beyond that point, unless some grey metal underneath got dinged. I am happy to see the car stood up to it pretty well, those trucks might not move fast, but they're not light either.

Kris

No they are not light at all. And unfortunately most people don't give them enough space in traffic. I hope everything works out well for you. Definately check under the bumper cover.

 

[MSP]

So what happen Kris, did he kick down? Did you have the car towed home after you got off work? I would have went ballistic if my mineral grey GT got creamed like yours!! Thats some horrible damage man.. Dont listen to SVTDriver, it really looks bad!! Damn!!

SVTdriver
Dont worry man, someday I'll buy you a brewsky! LOL!! You know that looks jacked man.. I dont care how much damage was done.. It never should have happen.. No matter how much you want it sugar coated, I'd be furious..

Its one thing to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, and things are kinda tight on the freeway.. But in a parking lot? Comon man, that driver should be fired.. Professional truck drivers dont hit parked cars man.. It just does not happen, unless the guy is not legal.. No matter what you say man, I would have had a fit, and reached into my glove compartment.. It would went something like this..

"Hey Mr. Shinese check dis out, I get off work by 5PM.. (My right hand is in the glove compartment--he cant see it) Either cut me a check for $1500 right now, that I can cash on Monday or have my car fixed and back by 530PM today"......Nah...Nah Mr. Shineee, Save the drama for yo mama man, you hit my ninteen....I mean Two Thousand Five Mustang GT... Thats Grand Touring.. Cut me a check, or its on!! So whats up Mr. Shinee?

LOL!! Simple as that SVTDriver!!

 

[SVTdriver]

So what happen Kris, did he kick down? Did you have the car towed home after you got off work? I would have went ballistic if my mineral grey GT got creamed like yours!! Thats some horrible damage man.. Dont listen to SVTDriver, it really looks bad!! Damn!!

SVTdriver
Dont worry man, someday I'll buy you a brewsky! LOL!! You know that looks jacked man.. I dont care how much damage was done.. It never should have happen.. No matter how much you want it sugar coated, I'd be furious..

Its one thing to be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, and things are kinda tight on the freeway.. But in a parking lot? Comon man, that driver should be fired.. Professional truck drivers dont hit parked cars man.. It just does not happen, unless the guy is not legal.. No matter what you say man, I would have had a fit, and reached into my glove compartment.. It would went something like this..

"Hey Mr. Shinese check dis out, I get off work by 5PM.. (My right hand is in the glove compartment--he cant see it) Either cut me a check for $1500 right now, that I can cash on Monday or have my car fixed and back by 530PM today"......Nah...Nah Mr. Shineee, Save the drama for yo mama man, you hit my ninteen....I mean Two Thousand Five Mustang GT... Thats Grand Touring.. Cut me a check, or its on!! So whats up Mr. Shinee?

LOL!! Simple as that SVTDriver!!

Professional drivers hit parked objects more than you think. If you think bumper to bumper traffic is tight. You should see some docks and parking lots I have had to get semi's in. And while I think sometimes the people I have seen driving trucks should not be even driving cars. I having been an OTR driver. Can tell you this. With rare exceptions. Even the best drivers have an accident like that sooner or later in their career. And yes I do think the damage is there. But is you had ever seen a truck hit a car. You know the damage could have been A LOT worse.