Any way to sue for damage causing value loss?

bcwang · 01-30-07, 12:33

Hi,

I'm the one who had my 04 SVT Cobra repeatedly door dinged by my assigned parking neighbor. The final road here is taking them to small claims court. The current repair estimate is almost $1200, and involves repaint of both the front door, rear quarter panel, and side scoop. So that's two major panels requiring a repaint which equals instant value loss for the car.

So my question is, is there a way to sue for this value loss as well? It hurts that these people took a car with a flawless finish, added 12 marks and denied it. But even if I win the case to get the repairs made, that still doesn't change the fact that I lost value on this car. So if there is some way to quantify the value loss so I can try to get that back as well, please let me know. Anyone with experience for this kind of thing, please help out.

Thanks!

Coupe · 01-30-07, 01:20

What is an "assigned parking neighbor"?

Danase · 01-30-07, 01:27

Probably lives in an apartment or condo with assigned parking spaces.
I don't think you could sue...well, I am sure you COULD sue, but I doubt you would win. Proving it was from your neighbor would be impossible probably and it would be your word against his. That is why there is insurance. Also, as far as value. That car lost value the minute you drove it off of the dealer's lot.

bigfoot · 01-30-07, 01:29

I'dd call a lawyer before doing anything...

Joey

01bluecls · 01-30-07, 01:46

Video tape your spot from your window if you can...

kompressornsc · 01-30-07, 01:53

There was a thread abobut this a few months ago. Try a search for diminished value claim.

toyotaguy · 01-30-07, 03:07

park somewhere else

themightytimmah · 01-30-07, 03:07

Probably not, your average judge/jury is just going to say "it's just a car, deal with it". Maybe if you get lucky they'll be an Autopian judge out there somewhere

.

blkZ28Conv · 01-30-07, 03:51

Consult a lawyer. Unfortunately, there is probably no recouping your loss.
Trade it in for something less expensive and save to buy a home or rental facility that will allow a better parking situation.

Get the home (garage) then get the nice cars.

Sorry about your situation.

Tasty · 01-30-07, 04:48

You're never going to be able to prove that in court. Think it over before pursuing it and investing your time and money, because you probably won't win.

Coupe · 01-31-07, 05:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkZ28Conv

Consult a lawyer. Unfortunately, there is probably no recouping your loss.
Trade it in for something less expensive and save to buy a home or rental facility that will allow a better parking situation.

Get the home (garage) then get the nice cars.

Sorry about your situation.

Thats what i was thinking. I see it all the time. People buy really nice or expensive cars but do not have the *proper* means to take care of it.

bcwang · 01-31-07, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

Thats what i was thinking. I see it all the time. People buy really nice or expensive cars but do not have the *proper* means to take care of it.

Well I wouldn't say it's any more expensive than the multitudes of G35, acura tl, mercedes and bmws that park in apartment parking lots everywhere you go. I just happened to end up with a bad parking neighbor, and happen to be an autopian so I do care about paint damage and dents more than the average person.

I guess the difficulty in making that kind of value assessment makes this difficult to ask for loss of value. I'll just go ahead with suing for damages.

Man, those people just can't stop lying. I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he agreed that we would meet so he could look at the damage (his wife drives the car). I leave work early just to meet him, and when we get there, he doesn't want to look, all he wants to do is tell me "from this point on, I don't want you to call or talk to me, my wife, or my kid ever again". If he wanted to do that he could have done it anytime since we live in the same apt complex. Why did he have to make me leave work early just for that. In any case, at that point I handed him my demand for payment document with the estimate and 10 days later I'm pretty sure I'll have to give him court documents too. I can't believe anything those guys say, nothing has been honest out of their mouths, ever.