Well, I got into my first wreck with the Max. Sitting at a light waiting to turn right when CRACK , some guy plowed into me. Not a whole lot of damage, but my shop estimates $2K due to have to replace a Sarona bumper and the quarter panel is slightly messed up too.

Worst part is, I didn't call the police because he begged me not to because his license was suspended. So we called his insurance company right there and filed a claim, so I thought everything was good since I talked to the claims people myself and they said they'd call me back in a few hours to inspect the car. Then I call them back in 30 minutes and they tell me there's a problem. His insurance isn't valid because he hasn't paid his premium since June. They don't know why they didn't catch that at first. If they had, he'd be in jail right now. But I ended up going to the police department anyways and filing a claim. They didn't want to do anything at first, but then I showed them all the info he gave me and they just started laughing. He gave me his home address, his work address, a business card with his phone numbers (I called and he is still talking to me), his social security number, his driver's license number, his insurance policy number, etc. The police said it looks like he plans on paying me since it would be incredibly stupid for him not to after giving me as much info as he did.

As of right now, he is still keeping in touch with me. Says the insurance thing is a mistake made by the local agent that sold him his policy and that he'd call me on monday. But either way I'm covered since I do have the police report and his own insurance company's claims report which states he is at fault. So worst case scenario, I have to file an uninsured motorist claim with my insurance.

Bright side is, the quarter panel that's damaged is the side we were going to have to work on to mold the audi tt fuel door in anyways. So in the end, the custom bodywork I was going to have done is now subsidized. And he gave me $200 cash already for not calling the cops on him. He was a 60 year old man, I figured he'd be trustworthy, apparently not.

 

 

Pics?

 

sorry to hear about your car...

but are YOU ok....?



did you get my email about the roll call decals I talked to you about at NOPI?

keep ya head up....

 

Tomorrow. Not a whole lot to see really, cracked bumper and the quarter panel pushed in and dented about 1/2".

 

Should be fun to get a new rear bumper I missed your showing in miami, I was way in ft lauderdale that day.

 

Damn, now that's gotta suck. Sorry to hear that. Well atleast you will get more out of it.

 

I'm fine, he hit me at only about 5mph. More shock and surprise than anything else. Car barely moved from the impact.

I got your email, I'm working through them all right now, so expect a response tomorrow. I think I've got 200+ to go through.

Thanks.

 

Yeah, the insurance should just about end up covering most of the custom bodywork I wanted to get done this winter and get my car repainted a new color. So I'm hoping this works out in my favor.

 

That sucks Shadow but atleast you get the fuel door out of it. And most importantly you're okay. Now you've had that "dreaded-first-accident" thing so you don't have to worry as much. And how much does that Sarona bumper cost that it comes up to $2k? Or is that just because you have like 6 layers of paint?
-Cyrus

 

Yeah, I'm sure you're a stand-up guy because you didn't want that dude to get busted for his suspended license, but the police report is a smart thing when these incidents happen. Insurance fraud costs everyone tons of money. I know this chick at work who got rear-ended and there was like 2k damage to her car. She then turned around and sued (obviously it was settled) for pain and suffering and got 15 grand out of it. The shyster took 5 grand and she netted 10 large.

I asked her why she did that, and she said she was broke. How pathetic, eh?

Anyway, I think you're in good shape so good luck with getting the car repaired.

 

Well, the bumper has to be replaced. The quarter panel has to be repaired, and the metal between the bumper and trunk have to be repaired because it's bent slightly. It has to be bent back or else the new bumper will never line up. Add the cost of paint to that, Lexus paint colors are rather expensive, and it comes up to $2K. The guy was kind of shocked at the estimate too, he figured $500 or something and I told him not even close.

 

good bargaining there

 

FYI - In some jurisdictions a suspended licence can mean that his insurance does not cover him, even if paid up.

ie, if I get insurance claiming I have a clean record, and they find out after an accident that I actually have multiple DUI's I was drunk this time as well, then the insurance will definitely not pay for my own damage, may even not pay for the victim (or at least pay out and then sue me)

My experience with rear-enders is not good... I got rear-ended by a guy and the damage was very little. We exchanged details and we did not file a police report at the scene. Well, fault is pretty obvious in a rear-ender, yeah? Well he then turned around and claimed that I switched lanes dangerously in front of him and slammed my brakes on. I went to the police after that and they refused to investigate or determine fault because they didn't get to see the resting postions, or at least talk to the drivers immediately before we had time to concoct a story. His insurance refused to pay the full amount of my damage arguing my 'contributory negligence' - and I would have to sue for the rest. In this case the difference between their payout and the full cost was less than a lawyer would have got me so I just accepted the reduced payout. If my car had been totalled ($10k) then I would have lost thousands, or been forced to sue (and even a lawsuit would be difficult because I had no evidence against his argument).

ALWAYS GET A POLICE REPORT, at the scene. Final resting positions should be preserved in a damage-only accident if it does not create a safety hazard for other vehicles. Final resting position should ALWAYS in preserved if someone is seriously injured, or worse.

I carry a disposable camera in my glovebox to be used to photograph the resting position after an accident.

By allowing a driver with a suspended licence to avoid the police you are simply condoning his behaviour, and you know he will continue to drive with his suspended license.

ALSO, in most states you *must* report an accident to the police if someone is injured, and to the DMV/BMV if the damage is greater than a set amoubnt ($300 in Ohio). If you subsequently discovered that you were injured then the lack of a police report would have hurt your legal position.

Not flaming you, just letting you know how my experience has been in this kind of situation...

 

DUDE!

that SUCKS! at least he didnt take off after he hit you, i guess he means well by giving you all that info,

be sure to check out the rear shock mounts, even tho its just your bumper, you dont know if it affected your rear beam suspension and such...

that really sucks.

good luck on the fix up.. maybe you can do something with it. like gas tank relocation to the rear lights out of this since you're gonna have to re do the quarter panel in the back..

--cheston

 

I thought he was going to run, because in this area, a lot of the drivers are illegal immigrants and they always run. But when I looked in my mirror right afterwards, I saw him motion to pull into the parking lot on the corner. And then he gave me so much info, I figured it would be ok. We'll just have to see how this plays out.

 

wow...you're really lucky that the guy gave you all the information and wants to pay you.

My grandfather got his car totalled by an uninsured, unlicensed just-out-of-jail @#$%^&*er and has no options.

 

wow in todays world i wouldn't even attempt to not call the police to file a claim immediatley, last year at school some kids car rolled into my back bumper(his ebrake failed?? on a flat surface) there was barely any damage minus a few scratches and a tiny hole from the screw in his liscence plate penetrating the bumper. Boy was he surprised when his insurance had to pay me $350 for it. The thing is i was lucky enough to go out to my car and witness his car up against mine because if he had gone to his car first i am sure he would have just left(his car was a POS)