well, here comes the story

it's a one two-way, one-lane street with a median for turning left. i see a car off the road on the right (on the gravel) with the blinkers on. i see a car on the median with the blinkers on as well. i assume an accident happened or something. but the main lane, which is where i was, looked unobstructed, so i kept on going at the posted speed. just as i was about to pass them i see something in front of the car. couldn't brake in time, i hear a bam. i stop a couple hundred feet after, to look at my car, and look at what happened:

1 2 3 4

i go back, and apparently he had a thick rope going across the road without any warning signs or anything, to tow her car or something. i called the police, and it just so happens that because my car never hit their cars, it's not an "accident" and so they are not responsible for anything. basically, they wrote a police report and told me there was nothing i could do about it, now i have to pay for a new bumper and installation.

now, it seems to me like it's absurd that i should have to pay for something that was caused by this guy's irresponsable behavior in the road (mind you this happened at midnight too). he may not have had malicious intent but he did something that he's obviously not supposed to do on a well traveled road in the middle of the night. all i did was drive the way i have for over a year now on that same road, and it's my responsability to pay for the damages to my car.

can you guys recommend me a good/cheap place to get a replacement bumper painted already? is it difficult to install my own bumper? any other recommendations?

 

Thats some real bull sh*t !
They must know the cop or something,talk to your insurance company and a lawyer on this one .... can't see how they wouldn't be responsible

 

Ya, that's Bull...
Talk to you insurance company about it.

It's like saying that someone can throw a huge rock on your hood, and they're not responsible because their car didn't hit you...

He is definitely responsible for the damage. I would pursue it.


Jimmy

 

I am sorry to hear about that. I would collect info from the other driver. Take the police report and fax it to the insurance company of the towing party. Let them cut you the check. Is it possible that you have ANY of their info? You shouldn't be paying for this. It is not a good idea (Although I have done it to get my sister's car out of an intersection when we couldn't get a tow truck driver there in a safe time. We had back up cars with hazards on running interference for us.
The fact that they towed illegally, and caused damage, you would think it would be OBVIOUS that they need to make this right. Did the officer get any info from them. I would also file an appeal on the report and have it reviewed by the next one up the food chain. I would pursue this until it was made right.

My .02cents

 

That sucks man! Keep an eye on EBAY for a bumper, they show up sometimes. As for install, it's really easy, you can do it yourself.
(4 screws and a bunch of clips)

 

If you dont have the info on them I think you're out of luck. I would imagine even from ebay, a painted front bumper that is in perfect condition is $800+

 

i have their tag number and description of vehicle. the police offer also has his info, and he told me all i would need would be his tag. anyways, i'm decided to go ahead and file a lawsuit against this guy. looking into towing laws in florida right now to start building my case. thanks for the help guys!
if you can find me places online where i can get a quote for a new painted bumper let me know, doesn't matter how expensive it is (actually, the more expensive the better) so i can also have something to bring with me as a price, besides from the quote am getting at the dealership this week. thanks!

 

Good job, glad you're pursuing the legal route. No way I'm going to let some cop tell me that there is nothing I can do if someone places an obstruction in the road and I hit it.

 

that damage should be under 500 bucks, so the insurance will pay for it with no deductible if you deside to get it fixed meanwhile you work out the legal issue.

 

well let me ask you a stupid question. i've had cars for less than 2 years in total (big newbie!) and i've always had insurance, but never had to actually use it. i think my deductible for this car was $1000 because they were raping me with insurance premiums. anyways, i thought i would have to pay for any damage under $1000 and the company would pay anything over it.
meaning, total damage :$2400, i pay $1000, they pay the rest...is that how it works? explain, because if i can get the insurance company whom i've been paying quite a lot to fix it for free with no issues then i don't want to have to pay for a lawyer! i'm not really looking to get the guy in trouble, but rather get my bumper fixed, whichever way i can

 

You are correct, you pay for anything less than $1000. So if this bumper runs you $1001, the insurance company will cut you a check for the grand total of $1.

 

I'd just get a Stillen lip and be done with it... that's what I'm doing for my wife's black '06. We ran over a Pickup/SUV Windshield Visor...



It flew off an older suburban being towed on a flatbed at about 80mph... thankfully, it landed flat right in front of me, and I just ran right over it... but it put to visible creases in the front bumper lower lip... insurance cut a check for the balance after my deductible (estimate for a new cover, and repaint was under $600 here in Dallas).

So she's decided she wants the Street Scene/Stillen setup as a few members on here have, which will cover up the damage, and improve the appearance of her Maxima... win/win! All I need to do know it teach her to park a little further away from the curb... lol

 

thanks guys. i'm going to look into the whole aftermark bumper thing, but if i'm going to pursue this in court i need estimates for OEM parts and installation, not after-market. thanks for the idea though, wish i could get the RedLineMax but I aint waiting that long...

 

aftermarket will run more.

OEM bumber is 235, and they got the labor and refinish at 111 for a total of 346. if your corner lights are in working condition you are good.

 

hey i don't know if it was me buh i really didn't see that much damage on the bumper itself...just the inside "fin" peice...that can be replaced with the lowwer billet cover which would match your grille better too...

 

well the bumper is dented and scuffed in a lot of places. i don't think the light is going to be ok, maybe the bulb but the enclosure is cracked. i dont want a chrome grille on the bottom, i like it black. and honestly the only aftermarket piece i like is the RedLineMax one but like i said above, i'm not buying something i have to wait months for...

 

those corner lights are better bought on ebay, they go for 132.00 each according to my last repair sheet.

I would find out with the insurace, you could get it done with no money out of pocket. I would, I just can't stand riding with my car busted like that, I rather not drive it at all.

 

i have an appointment for next wednesday for the insurance's body shop to give me a quote on the repairs. i'm going hopefully next monday to the court house to file the lawsuit and get things rolling.

 

Just to be clear on insurance and deductibles, you only have to pay deductibles if you are at fault. Otherwise, the other party's insurance should cover the whole thing.

 

the problem here is there is no other party. the cops called it a one-car accident because our vehicles never touched. nevertheless, it's not my fault, and it seems like i'm the one paying for it. i'm going to get an estimate next week and if my insurance says i have to pay anything, i'm going to file the lawsuit against the guy. i'm sure somewhere down the line of justice i'll get my car fixed...