Well, not exactly crashed, but definately damaged!!

I was in a turn only lane @ a red light when a guy in a "Tree removal" company truck cut me off and clipped the front driver side of my car with his chipper. It turns out he is the owner of the Tree Removal company.He said he didn't see me, and I'm sure he didn't but my poor MINI looks horrible! Her plastic trim was ripped from her body, she was scratched and dented and both front rims are scratched. (the passanger side due to being pushed into the curb) I called MINI of Towson. they don't have a body shop, however they highly recommended a body shop in Baltimore. I have an appointment for an estimate on Thurs. I'll keep everyone posted. i can only imagine how much this will cost him. He is opting to pay outright for the damage instead of going through his insurance company. That's fine with me as long as she's fixed, AND SOON!!

It is sooo depressing to drive with a damaged car.



_________________
Silk Green Cooper, Black roof/mirrors, All 3 pkgs, CVT, leather, navigation. Ordered 10/02, finished production 11/20/02. Picked up 12/20/02.

 

 

Is he going to pay for a rental? Go through his insurance.
I just went through this.....

 

When that happens don't you just get this bumm feeling down in the pit of your stomach, I know I do.

 

>>
>>He is opting to pay outright for the damage instead of going through his >>insurance company.

Be careful!

I had a guy say he was gonna pay for damage...until he saw the bill! Then he wanted me to take it to his cousin's body shop. Sorry, but I choose where MY car will be fixed. Ended up going through my insurance via uninsured motorist coverage. :???:

Good luck!

 

Awh no! Mandy! I am so sorry!

 

Thanks everyone for replying so quickly!! He is going to pay for a rental and I am seriously thinking about going through his insurance anyway. I have the info. I'm gonna get the estimate and go from there. I don't think he realizes how much this will cost him out of pocket. I told him I just got this car and it would probably be expensive to repair. Oh also my drivers side mirror is dinged up too. My biggest fear is them matching up my silk green paint. I have to stop thinking about it!!

 

Your car is has less value after an accident.
His insurance company has to pay that difference
as well. You need to get an appraisal after repairs.... :???:

 

Mandy,
File a claim! Maybe the person has good intentions, I can't judge that. But obviously the damage isn't minor, I think you should go through the proper channels and get this taken care of the RIGHT way

 

He is saying that so he doesn't lose his job probably. I was in an accident several years ago with this guy who drove a truck for a company and it was the same deal. You do whatever is most comfortable for YOU. After all, you are the one that got the short end of the stick here.

 

Actually he is the owner of the STUPID Tree Removal company. It is a well known company in Harford County. I'm sure he has the means but I'm just not sure what to do. Ugh!!!!

 

Keep us posted on how this goes!!

 

If you don't want to go through the insurance company, at least draw up an agreement as to what he will be responsible for and have it notorized! This will give you something to work with in court if he decides to bail on you and not pay. Also, this will cover you, in case something accidentally happens to him in the meantime. Who knows, anyone who can't see a car on the road is capable of falling into his chipping machine! :smile:
Myself, I'd be reporting this to the insurance company. A few extra insurance points almost always makes us better drivers!

 

 

Thanks!! You all are cracking me up!! I was just involed in an accident last September on I95. My car was totaled by a dumb girl who rear ended me while on her cell phone and that was my excuse for getting my MINI. I have always gone through insurance companies for any problems. I do feel uncomfortable about this situation. My husband is going to call him tonight and let him know we have an appointment on Thurs for the estimate. I'll have him discuss this with him. My husband is a cop and I don't think he's really happy with this either. I'll keep you posted on the details to follow.

 

OMG! Do NOT let the guy pay himself!!!! Not only are you condoning his bad driving, you are setting yourself up for serious issues down the road. Who is to say your repairs will be correct the first time? Will he be around a couple years from now when the damage manifests itself in another way? Will he be willing to step up to the plate for anything not outlined in an estimate?

Don't let yourself get screwed just to make him feel better. He hit YOU. DON'T forget that!!! DO NOT bend over for someone that munched your child!!

Some people regularly have minor run ins because they are never held accountable to their insurer. He needs to understand that you can cut someone off, munch their car and get off by paying their bill.

Not even to mention what your insurance could say about repairs done that they didn't approve should you find yourself in another accident. Remember your insurance company is insuring the VALUE of your car, not your car itself. You've now got dimished value due to the accident. Who's paying for that?...well you are by not reporting this guy!! I don't know what state you are in, but diminished value claims are becoming very normal and you are entitled to such a claim.

Oh, and don't think a notarized document is the holy grail. Many states do not honor such agreements as no legal counsel was involved. Without legal counsel the person should never have signed, therefore making the agreement invalid.

Not trying to scare you, but I am trying to scare you...if you get my drift. Hey, I was an insurance adjuster for a while. Please take my word and FILE A CLAIM AGAINST HIS INSURANCE and report it to the DMV!!!!

Now all that said, have a good day and try not to think about it too much, other than calling his insurance carrier when you are done reading this. No, seriously!

R

 

In the very least consult a lawyer, who is on top of the Maryland Tort and Insurance laws. Maybe the lawyer could even draft an agreement for you two. Don't lose out because you think that you should give the guy a break. He caused damage to your property, and you have rights to be compensated.

 

I am involved in a lawsuit with the other girl from the accident in Sept. I have left a message with my lawyer but haven't heard back yet. You are all right!! Davbret convinced me when he said "Don't let yourself get screwed just to make him feel better. He hit YOU. DON'T forget that!!! DO NOT bend over for someone that munched your child!! " My husband is calling the guy tonight. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. By the time I get home tonight it will be dark. Thanks guys for everything. You are the best!!

 

Depending on the size of the tree company, it could be "self-insured". I was hit by a truck from S.E. Rykoff a few years ago. They paid for everything from their central office. If you have enough vehicles, it can be less expensive to have a very high deductable and just pay the small claims, than to carry lower deductable on all the vehicles.

 

Oh Mandy, I feel your pain. My Silk Green feels your pain, too. She was hit back in January and had to have a new bumper installed. But fear not, the body shop that did the work matched the color exactly. Here is the paint code that the shop will need for Silk Green: PRL MET 901 F5253.

I'm glad you've decided to go through the insurance. I didn't and although the guy paid up for the initial estimate, other parts broke later due to the stress (the rear hangers for the exhaust and the reflector in the wheel arch). Neither was expensive, but a pain to have to order and then wait for HARMINI to be restored in full.

Best of luck with this whole ordeal. Thank God you were not injured.

 

Mandy;
I'm glad you weren't hurt in the accident. Soon your MINI will be as good as new :smile:

Harmini;
Thanks for the paint code for Silk Green. A have SG also, and since it was discontinued, I didn't know how difficult it would be to find the match. Hopefully, I won't need it, but I printed it just in case.

 

DaMINI is SG/Blk also. I am sorry to hear the news. I'm very glad your husband will be talking to the guy and that you have made contact with your atny.

The good news is that a good body shop should not have a problem matching the paint - your car's paint is still new. While it is body work it sounds as though the car is still straight.

DaMINI and all of us at the DaCrema house hope you’re motorin again soon.
John

 

Ohhh ouch! :smile:

I hope you have your baby back soon


Chow!


Donna

 

>>Actually he is the owner of the STUPID Tree Removal company. It is a well known company in Harford County. I'm sure he has the means but I'm just not sure what to do. Ugh!!!!

 

Thanks everyone! My husband called him last night and discussed going through his insurance. He understood. :smile: MINI of Towson also said we shouldn't have any problems matching the paint. Really, in retrospect is is minor damage, but I was very upset yesterday. I am going to have them check EVERything though, just incase. I will try to post pics tonight. Thanks everyone for making me feel better!