I was at HB this afternoon hoping to stop and take pictures of the clouds and the clear sky. I stopped at a stop light and got bumped by kid in a truck, who thought I was only stopping briefly. His bumper passed over mine and scratched the paint. Everything else seems ok.

I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions? My bumper already had flaking paint from a previous incident... It also sagged before too.

My insurance agent is at lunch, apparently. That's why I'm here.

 

Sounds like you're getting a free new bumper (or at least newly repainted bumper) to me!!!!

 

That would be nice.
I don't think it will be that easy.

I'm worried that I can't exactly prove that the scratches on the bumper weren't already there.
My folks aren't much help, since the only times they were hit by insured motorists, their cars were totalled!

 

You got all of his information right? If so I would say it probably depends on your deductible what your prospects really are, if you did get his information I would say you try to get some money out of him just to keep things off the insurance radar. Just my 2 cents, sorry to hear about your bad day...

 

Go for the money, live with the scratch and buy the extra engine parts you alwys wanted.

 

Well, I talked to the owner of the car... It doesn't help that the mother sells auto insurance. They noticed that the bumper had already been damaged before, so they offered to buy me another can of spray paint. Oh well.

Maybe I'll put my artistic talent to use and stencil some flames on it!

 

I wouldn't tell the insurance unless you really have to. Get 2 or 3 repair quotes, then negotiate with the guy for cash.

 

Hi Julie!
Sorry to hear about your car!
Hope things work out for you!

George

 

Previous damage is not your concern. Let his insurance company fix your car. When my 86 got hit in the rear, I insisted they fix my car. You have to get tough with them. Dont involve your insurance .... He hit you let him fix it.

 

I really won't hurt to involve your insurance. If he hit you from behind while you were stopped, it was his fault and your insurance company will wave deductibles and go after him and his insurance.

 

I had a bad day myself on Sat.

I got t-boned in my truck by my house.

Maybe it was time for a different one as they are going to total it.

Sorry to here about yours Julie hope they do right by you.

I'm just glad I wasn't driving anything else I own.

I guess I can be thankful for that, but right now it's hard to be thankful about anything.

 

Oh no, that's terrible! I hope you are ok.


I've had estimates for the previous damage and it's just not worth it. The insurance will come look at it and not find anything. I'll just wax it and forget about it.

 

Not a good idea...

This ******* rear-ended you...its an open and shut case. I agree with Russ. If that guy refuses to pay for it, then you should contact your insurance and let them deal with it. Because its the other guys fault, your insurance company will force him to pay up, and your rates will not increase.

Dont let him slide, not even for 1 cent.

 

Julie, You have an impact bumper there that is now squished underneath even thought the outer urethane bumper bounces back into shape. Your next colission could be hazardous to your health and you will own the insurance company if hit again and they don't fix the impact bumper.

Get my drift?

ps, Was it a wiseass kid in a brown truck that powerslid his drivers side door into your car? If so, I think I witnessed the accident and got his ph # for you for the police report
633-7880

 

I agree don't let him slide. But I disagree on the timing of when to involve your insurance company. Don't wait and see "If that guy refuses to pay for it, then you should contact your insurance...". Always contact your insurance company and report the accident. Also, never feel that you should give someone a break and handle it outside of your insurance co. Let them deal with the other guy's insurance co. That is what you pay them to do.

Lon

 

There's something inside the bumper?? How can I prove that the damage to the bumper was done by the kid? I have to deal with his insurance salesman mother...
Meanwhile my mom is yelling at me, telling me there is nothing wrong with the car. Maybe she's right, I mean, I'm the worlds most paranoid person sometimes.

 

I think your neck is starting to hurt isn't it?

 

That's not funny. I've had whiplash twice (as a passenger.) I'll know for sure tomorrow, but I get bumped worse with the ancient streets here in Santa Ana!

I think I will have the car looked at anyway just to be sure. The worst that could happen is that they say no, right?

 

I'm sorry that was a bad joke. but that was what I meant. I was in an accident before and I didn't feel nothing til' a couple days later.

 

Here's a catalog image showing the impact bar and the absorber pad. They can both be damaged from as little as a 5mph hit.

Dean

PS-Julie, don't talk to his mother at all, just call your insurance agent and report the accident immediately. She is trying to intimidate you.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/in...il?v=1&pid=454

 

Yeah he most likely had Spohn parts on it, that's why he lost control

 

Exactly. In fact, I'd tell your insurance company that so they can make a note of it. Sure your car has got some previous damage but that doesnt mean someone can hit your car and say it was hit before so TFB.

I had a guy hit me in a drive thru and do some 'minor' damage to the bumper of my TA. He even tried to leave, but I blocked him in and called up the police. They were able to get his information (he refused to give it to me) and I made a claim with his insurance and got them to pay up with no issues.

 

I agree I'm being intimidated, and not just by the kids mother. I am having a hard time with my folks too. The picture of the impact bumper really helps.
I will talk to my insurance agent again today.

 

ahahhahahhahahhahahhahaha

 

Don: Sorry to hear about your accident as well, just hope that you are okay - BTW - our truck if for sale

Julie: Good luck with all of the insurance things, I hope that you are able to get the better end of the deal by the end

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. It was hard for me to figure out what to do since alot of the people I talked to have only been in accidents where there is major damage.

I talked with my insurance and they referred me to a body shop, which made an estimate to "color sand and buff out the scratches". (Basically what I'd have to do myself anyway.) It's better than a spray paint can, and the owner is agreeing to pay for it, so I'm not filing a claim.
(If it looks good I might have the place do the other dings that have accumulated.)

I crawled under the car and looked over the impact bumper and felt around and it looks and feels perfectly OK and straight. I can't see the internal parts without taking the cover off, but I'm sure its all solid enough to take a hit. Thanks for the info though.

 

Sorry to hear about all this Julie.. Deal is with these cars.. Having only the minimal amount of insurance on these vehicles.. Any previous damage and new damage in same places.. People think Oh there not being repsonsible for anything.. He should be very thankful you only need a can of spray paint.. As you could be in a Kneck brace.. Or living with any such injury that possibly easily could have happend in this lil hit bump..

Hope all goes well.. And No stress..

BrandenCali

 

lol only you Vincent only you

 

Yeah it would be much better to trade a running dirt bike for non running firechicken

 

Yeah but 1 week and your help changed that now didnt it (***)