Hit and Run today!

RuffRyder · 06-05-05, 02:14

I had to go to Staple today to make a purchase. I was inside the store maybe a maximum of 5 minutes. When I came out of the store and woman was there to tell us that a car that was parked perpendicular to me backed straight into the car. I inspected the spot and found 2 parallel almost 7" long scratches above the rear passenger wheel well. The woman said that when my car was hit, it rocked from the impact. She said that the driver that hit it, didn't even stop to see if there was any damage, but quickly fled the scene. She said she was annoyed that someone would hit another car and just take off without saying anything. She was nice enough to give me the punk's license plate number. So I called the police, I happened to have gone from elementary school through high school with the cop that showed up by coincidence. He came and took the information down and paid the owner of the offending car a little visit. The guy says that if the damage is minimal he would prefer to pay out of pocket and not deal with the insurance companies. The cop said he would hold it is as non-reportable now, but if the offender doesn't want to pay up later, then he'll report it.

I am royally pissed off because: #1 my car is only 2.5 months off the lot and #2 having these long scratches down the side of my car.

For a shot of the damage to the paint:

The wheel that was struck now feel wobbly when driving at low speeds in addition to messing up my paint job, which luckily for me, the dealer didn't like me enough to install swirl marks to.

I'm taking it to the dealer tomorrow to give it a full checkup. But, to be honest, for the paint work I'm afraid to have somebody screw up my beautiful paint further when trying to correct the scratches.

Any advice on what should be my next move or dealing in cash vs. insurance I would greatly appreciate.

PS. Thanks for listening to this post even though it is partly ranting!

And Mods feel free to move this wherever it belongs as I'm not really sure.

Edit: Pic update

Burlyq · 06-05-05, 02:25

Man roughy that's rough. At least you got the *******, I hate people who don't accept responsibilty for themselves.

If you find a body shop that can give you a quote over 500 bucks, you can find a different officer to place the scrub under citizens arrest, payback is a good pain killer.

blkZ28Conv · 06-05-05, 02:26

Screwed the guy and take it to his insurance. He should have thought about this option before he fled like a girlyman. Why should you go though the hassle of dealing with this jerk.

PS. It will also increase his insurance rates. A little pay back can be SWEET.

Sorry about the accident.

SilverLexus · 06-05-05, 02:28

I am sorry that happened...

I would not deal in cash with twits that are willing to do this. Get a police report and track them down with your insurance company. You will get the damage repaired and hurt their premiums going forward as should be the case for such reckless behavior.

josephclemente · 06-05-05, 02:38

WOW, I'm so glad there are still people out there who care enough to get the license number and wait for you.

Lost Pup · 06-05-05, 02:44

I find it totally unacceptable that people just drive away and only admit it when they are caught. I would report it and file a claim.

BigAl3 · 06-05-05, 03:35

ruffryder i know how you feel! my sister who has only had her 05 acura tsx 4 months, was rear ended (back bumper when into frame and the impact exploded the back window) by a big dodge hemi last night by some 19 yr old kid, who said he was "falling a sleep" (filed report with chp). not to mention she just got her car back last week because the front bumper needed to be repainted (had to go to two bodyshops because the first one f'ed up and sprayed on to the front bumpers without permission to try and blend the color in). my sis said she doesn't even want the car now, after all the crap she's gone through. most likely.... the damage will be too extensive, so hopefully she'll get a new one.

p.s. anyone know if that would be the case, if the car is too damaged? i told her to take pics with the digi cam, even though the insurance inspector will look and calculate the damage....

SilverLexus · 06-05-05, 04:35

My wife was almost attacked by a German Shepherd today as she put our two small dogs in her Camry. The dog managed to scratch up really bad the side of the door. I went out and thought all was lost but picked up my PC after a Spray & Wipe and attacked the panel on "6" with SSR2.5. It removed all the scratches after a combination of cutting and finishing pad.

I had Souveran over AIO so that probably helped but I wonder if this would help minimize greatly your scratches....?

Don M · 06-05-05, 04:44

I've been through this a few times. My advice? Don't play games, even if you have to go through your own insurance company. I've gone through mine and even though I had to pay my deductable up front, I always got it back when my ins. collected from his (or him if uninsured). Trust me, they are nasty about getting their money back and you'll see your deductable back soon enough and it won't raise your rates.

94BlkStang · 06-05-05, 04:48

Quote:

Originally posted by imacarnut
ruffryder i know how you feel! my sister who has only had her 05 acura tsx 4 months, was rear ended (back bumper when into frame and the impact exploded the back window) by a big dodge hemi last night by some 19 yr old kid, who said he was "falling a sleep" (filed report with chp). not to mention she just got her car back last week because the front bumper needed to be repainted (had to go to two bodyshops because the first one f'ed up and sprayed on to the front bumpers without permission to try and blend the color in). my sis said she doesn't even want the car now, after all the crap she's gone through. most likely.... the damage will be too extensive, so hopefully she'll get a new one.

p.s. anyone know if that would be the case, if the car is too damaged? i told her to take pics with the digi cam, even though the insurance inspector will look and calculate the damage....

Only if the car is deemed a total will they pay you off at fair market value. The problem is, fair market value will be much less than the cost of a new one and may even be less than what she owes on it. Cars take a big hit in depreciation the moment it's driven off the lot.

:

RuffRyder · 06-05-05, 05:10

Yeah, I'll make sure the estimate of the damages is through the nose. To be honest I wouldn't be as upset if the guy was standing outside waiting for me, but that he thought he'd get away with it and make me pay the damage is too much. I'll take it in and see what they say, but it probably will make more sense to just go through the insurance.

Is it wrong that I'm afraid of having some clown at the dealership try to correct the damage to the paint? But I guess that's the only way I'll get some money back. (lol maybe I can convince the guy to give me the money and take a PC or rotary and some polish to it! haha doubt it, plus I doubt they'll be able to correct the damage enough) In the end I'm just afraid when the lease is up, that they'll overcharge me for this damage, so I guess I should just get as much as I can from the offender. That way I don't get screwed for his stupidity.

FWIW, I'll keep this updated in case anyone in the future is caught in a similarly FUBARed situation.

SilverLexus · 06-05-05, 07:54

"Is it wrong that I'm afraid of having some clown at the dealership try to correct the damage to the paint?"

No. Nobody is going to take care of your car as well as you.