How do I handle this....

[popo8]

Yesterday, while hanging at the garage celebrating the graduation of a shop friend from a local automotive school, we had a semi full parkinglot of partiers...

Well, as the food and drinks were flowing, and we were having fun, a guy pulled in with a dodge pickup with a cap on the back.... he stepped out, I walked over to him and he asked if we could fix or change a tire. Well being that it was early and the shop was closed for business, I told him that no one was available....

One of our friends that was there is an on call tow truck operator, and he had his truck with him. he stepped up and offered to plug the tire for a few bucks. The guy appeared happy and e was instructed where to put the pickup to have the work done. There was a large spot between my vette and the tow truck and he was told to pull it in there.....

Being the genius this guy was, he pulled out on to the street and started to back up into this spot. keep in mind this spot was big enough to put a semi in..... As he began to back in, I yelled "DONT HIT MY CAR..." people giggled and we brushed it off, because he seemed to be careful and was moving soooooooo slowly. Next thing I know, I hear the tow truck operator laying on his horn, and I look up just in time to see the truck back right into the front of the vette. I watched my car shake from the hit...... I SKITZED!!!!!!!

I tossed my drink, I yelled, "are you fucking kidding me!" and began my quick approach towards the shit as he was getting out of his truck. He immediatley said, "I didnt see it..." I was seeing RED.... I could feel myself all puffed up, and I remember my throat scratching as I was screaming in his face..... Then it registered...... he was "special." or at least appeared to be.... I put my hands on my head, turned around and walked away... I asked a friend to get his license and insurance information, and he was told to leave the property.......

Took me a little while to calm down, before I even walked back out to look at my car. At first glance (sun was setting) It appeared as though he may have just scuffed the nose right on the corner... today, I inspect it closer, and its clear he cracked the paint, scuffed the nose, possibly shifted the nose (gaps look way off now) and may have even begun what looks like eurothane splitting.......

WHAT DO I DO..... Im a big believer in KARMA.... i feel the way you treat people will come back to reward you or bite you in the ass in the future...... So, being that I skitzed, and I may have said some things that put me out of line (if I truly was)..... do I just forget about it (after all the car aint perfect)....

I have what I guess you would call a "soft side," and because he may be "special, do I help out my fellow man.... or do I take care of me.....?
:(


http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/popo08/GSfenderbender1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/popo08/GSfenderbender3.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/popo08/GSfenderbender2.jpg


I know it looks minor.... but it makes me SICK....

[95ImpySS]

I would have lost it just like you. There is no excuse for poor driving. Most people cannot back up to save their life. Did your friend get his info? Take a good look at the car and decide if its bad enough that you cannot fix it your self and then call the guys insurance company. Most insurance companies wont do anything for a minor accident without a police report. But if you have the time to duke it out with them you may get a few bucks to repair it.

EDIT: Always look out for #1.

[popo8]

I loaded pics.....
Being a cop, I wouldve hated to bother any on duty officers for something like this. In PA its whats called a "non reportable, and with all of his info (yes, got it all) and at least a half dozen witnesses to the actual collision thanks to the tow truck operator calling all our attention before impact. I may be OK....

:(

[Mrs Popo8]

After Larry went off I think the guy did not even know what was going on.....he did look a little slow......I dont think he was scared even, I think he was confused.....But seriously......I will admit I am not "that great" at backing into spots or fitting in tight spots like that so do you know what I do, AVOID them when I can, and look for somewhere else, LIKE THE BIG EMPTY LOT RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE SHOP, to park where I am comfortable and know I will not hurt my own or anyone else's cars......been with Larry long enough to know that his cars are like family members and if you fuck with them, you will pay a consequence.....I want him to do whatever he thinks is right but in this case the dude was wrong....and the whole thing couldve been avoided......

[popo8]

After Larry went off I think the guy did not even know what was going on.....he did look a little slow......I dont think he was scared even, I think he was confused.....But seriously......I will admit I am not "that great" at backing into spots or fitting in tight spots like that so do you know what I do, AVOID them when I can, and look for somewhere else, LIKE THE BIG EMPTY LOT RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE SHOP, to park where I am comfortable and know I will not hurt my own or anyone else's cars......been with Larry long enough to know that his cars are like family members and if you fuck with them, you will pay a consequence.....I want him to do whatever he thinks is right but in this case the dude was wrong....and the whole thing couldve been avoided......


LOL, well said dear........ Just think I could've handled it better....

[94Blackbird]

Slow or not there's no excuse for poor driving. When you're talking about a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds, it makes me wonder why cup holders a legal sometimes with some of the stupid shit I've seen people do.

Take care of number one man, that's my opinion.

[gregrob]

If he has insurance, I guess I don't see the issue. If he pays insurance that's why its there, use it.

[popo8]

Slow or not there's no excuse for poor driving. When you're talking about a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds, it makes me wonder why cup holders a legal sometimes with some of the stupid shit I've seen people do.

Take care of number one man, that's my opinion.


Thats what Im thinking.... Just not sure if I shouldve let it go, due to his slowness.....


If he has insurance, I guess I don't see the issue. If he pays insurance that's why its there, use it.

He does... its GEICO.... anyways, I realize thats what its there for, just trying to fig out if its worth hurting his insurance rates for..... thats all....

[gregrob]

I understand you there man, and it's very thoughtful. Take it from me though, you want it fixed or it will bug the shit out of you. Maybe give him a chance to personally cover the damages, otherwise I would file a claim.

[popo8]

I understand you there man, and it's very thoughtful. Take it from me though, you want it fixed or it will bug the shit out of you. Maybe give him a chance to personally cover the damages, otherwise I would file a claim.


Thats not a bad idea.... probably what I shouldve done yesterday rather than skits..... I just couldnt control it tho....

[BLK95-Z]

Man I know your pissed.

I would ask him to fix it. I mean damn..... its a CORVETTE!

[popo8]

Man I know your pissed.

I would ask him to fix it. I mean damn..... its a CORVETTE!


WAS I EVER!!! I calmed wayyyyyy down today. Mist and Shine'd the entire car and feel better.... but not quite right...

[gregrob]

Show up at his house unexpectedly, while on duty. Might persuade him to get a hold of the money a little quicker and not feed you some BS.

[Chris]

Show up at his house unexpectedly, while on duty. Might persuade him to get a hold of the money a little quicker and not feed you some BS.

:claps:

[popo8]

Show up at his house unexpectedly, while on duty. Might persuade him to get a hold of the money a little quicker and not feed you some BS.


LOL, thats some funny shyt.....

[zooguy]

how much trouble could that get you in ... your just following up on someone who was in a car crash that you are concerned about :shiner:

[chevymec]

He does... its GEICO.... anyways, I realize thats what its there for, just trying to fig out if its worth hurting his insurance rates for..... thats all....


I honestly could care less if his rates go up but my vehicle is gonna get fixed. If you dont have it fixed then if and when you go to resell your car people will start to pick it apart because of the damage. I pay $2600 a year for my 4 vehicles you can bet im gonna use it when I can, especially if it wasnt my fault.

[harner]

He has insurance for a reason. Get a new paint job out of it :)

[Ricehammer]

1) Make the insurance claim and get your car fixed. I doubt that his insurance rates will go up very much if at all. I was involved in a fairly serious accident many years back (judged my fault) during a snow storm and my rates went up about $10 per month. Yours isn't anywhere near as bad, so I doubt it will hurt the guy much if at all.

2) If you see the fella again, give him an apology for wiggin' out on him. He wasn't intentionally trying to run into your Vette or do you any harm personally. Accidents happen, that's what it was and there is a solution to fix the damage.

[popo8]

Ok, I appreciate everyones insight, and here is what I have come up with.....

-First off, I was gonna call the guy and appologize for skitzn today, but I dont have his number (DOH)

-anyways, it is going to DENNY's CORVETTE RESTORATION this week for an estimate on the repair.

-I will then follow up with either the guy (I have my ways of finding his number) or just calling his insurance company. (My insurance company is already aware of the incident.)


-If they are willing to play ball, or if I get a hold of him and he wants to cover the damages, that is where it will end....

-Currently the car is for sale in my front yard, and I allready got a bite.... from some highschool grad that is offering me 8g, a 32" flat screen and a net book.... for the car........

If the car sells prior to me finalizing the arrangments to fix it, I will let the "special" guy slide, however I will let him know that I am letting him slide....

If not, the car will get fixed....


What does everyone think...

[joelster]

I would have snapped, lol. Honestly, if you can't use your mirrors or look over your shoulder to PROPERLY back up, then you don't have any business behind the wheel of a 4500lb PROJECTILE. In this case it was a minor chip in the paint, in the next case it might be someones dog, or worse yet a little kid on a big wheel. I firmly believe that if they did adequate road tests, there would be far fewer people on the road, and i'm perfectly ok with that.

[popo8]

I would have snapped, lol. Honestly, if you can't use your mirrors or look over your shoulder to PROPERLY back up, then you don't have any business behind the wheel of a 4500lb PROJECTILE. In this case it was a minor chip in the paint, in the next case it might be someones dog, or worse yet a little kid on a big wheel. I firmly believe that if they did adequate road tests, there would be far fewer people on the road, and i'm perfectly ok with that.



I appreciate everyones input. I just did not want to be the bad guy, going after a guy for little damage....

[Ricehammer]

Naaa - you're not the bad guy and neither was he.

About a year ago, some woman in a Suburban rear-ended me in my little isth can Mazda daily driver. We pulled over and from the look of things, she had kids and probably wasn't very well off financially. The trunk of my car was buckled, quarter panel kinked.....nothing I couldn't fix with a rubber mallet and a little elbow grease to bend things back. Anyways I told the lady to have a nice day and not to worry and I'd fix it. Karma was on her side that day as it has been on mine many others. On the other hand, if she had smacked into the Z, her insurance company would have been paying the repairs.

You did the right thing.

[Bowtie4Life]

I'm sorry, but being special or not, ''I didn't see it" is not an excuse. What if it was a kid and not your car, would it be ok then? If someone cannot see, or take the time to see where they are going and pay attention, then they do not need to be driving, period. There is a level of responsibility that is taken when you decide to drive, POPO, I do not believe you were wrong, I would've gone off on him too. If he has a disability that affects his driving that much, to were he cannot see a parked vehicle behind him, he does not need to be driving. At least it does not look like much, but if the car moved like you said, who knows? Good luck on getting it solved, I hope it's not bad, and that the process goes smoothly for you.

[Bowtie4Life]

I would have snapped, lol. Honestly, if you can't use your mirrors or look over your shoulder to PROPERLY back up, then you don't have any business behind the wheel of a 4500lb PROJECTILE. In this case it was a minor chip in the paint, in the next case it might be someones dog, or worse yet a little kid on a big wheel. I firmly believe that if they did adequate road tests, there would be far fewer people on the road, and i'm perfectly ok with that.

I didn't read you post before posting mine, I 100% agree with this, people do not take driving as serious as they need to, instead it's "I'm just driving'', or see driving as a right, rather than a privilege. I wish they did do driving tests and if people failed, they lose their license, man the roads would be nice again, and road rage would be almost non-existent.

[popo8]

Well for those that were following.... here is whats going on....

SO SUPRISED at GEICO's customer service..... TOP NOTCH...

I called GEICO this morning and told the lady about the situation.... I also told her that I feel as though I over acted at the accident scene, and I wanted her to forward the other driver my info so he could call me.... in fact, I gave my info and asked her to have him call me if he wanted to avoid going through insurance.......

A short while later, she called me and advised that he wanted the insurance company to handle it......OKAYYYYY..... but I tried..... no call from him either....


ANYWAYS...... within an hour, I had an appointment made for the appraiser to come to my work to go over the vette..... he then called me and I explained that if it rains I wont have the car there.... so he said he would call me 1st thing to see if I drove it or not.... THEN..... i informed him that it is a 1996 Grand Sport CLONE, and the bumpers have been updated.... He said NO PROBLEM. He would write the initial estimate and they would forward it to DENNY's CORVETTE RESTORATION, and after DENNY has the car they would re-supliment the quote, to accomodate the customization to the car.... Finally when it was all said and done, I got a call from ENTERPRISE rent-A-car......

They told me my rental was ready..... I laughed and told them that I did not even have an appointment, and that my car had not even been looked at. She said well I can hold off if I feel my car is still safe to drive (which I told her it was) then she said to call when I was ready, my rental would be ready.... I asked what type of rental was waiting and she asked how many people my damaged vehicle sat.... I said 2... she said, that would put you in a compact.... i said, REALLY???Im 6'4" tall and 260 lbs.... she said...Ohhhh, We will give you a full size....hahahahahahaha


And all this makes me look back and think, that by being concerned and trying to make things right with the guy , I was (KARMA) rewarded with such a simple easy process......:peace2:

[Bowtie4Life]

I'm glad that it's going smoothly for ya man, things are looking good. Would've been funny if they gave you a mustang as a rental:D

[BLK95-Z]

-Currently the car is for sale in my front yard, and I allready got a bite.... from some highschool grad that is offering me 8g, a 32" flat screen and a net book.... for the car........

What brand of flat screen? How old is the net book? I dont know how much you have in the car but that may be a sweet deal :hmm:

especially if he's going to take it "as is"

[popo8]

I'm glad that it's going smoothly for ya man, things are looking good. Would've been funny if they gave you a mustang as a rental:D


If they do... Ill beat the SNOT out of it....

[popo8]

What brand of flat screen? How old is the net book? I dont know how much you have in the car but that may be a sweet deal :hmm:

especially if he's going to take it "as is"



Check the for sale ad out.....I updated that info, KINDA...

[popo8]

OK, so hopefully some of you are still following this thread... I want some insight.....
And I didnt want to start a new thread....

So today, GEICO adjuster showed up at my work as scheduled and did an estimate for the car. I was at a meeting, so I left my keys with one of the public works guys to show the car when the guy was there....

I return from the meeting and the GEICO guy is in his car working up my estimate.....

He steps out to go over my car with me and he points out the damage that he noticed...
-cracked clear and scratched paint on the corner of impact....
-he wants to replace the air damn which has a crack in it.... I told him, I was not sure that was from the accident, he says its ok, he is writting it up that way....
- he wants to replace a scuffed fog light lense.....I told him, I was not sure that was from the accident, he says its ok, he is writting it up that way....
-he tells me he saw some damage to the outside of the lip of the front right wheel....I told him I was almost positive that did not happen in the accident......U GUESSED IT... he says its ok, he is writting it up that way...


All said and done, my estimate is at nearly 1800 bucks, and that is without the expected supliments he is EXPECTING from the body shop..... NOW, what do I do....

He is mailing me this check... SHOULD I:
-pocket the money and leave the car be?

-fix the damage minimaly and pocket the difference?

-see how much to fix the aged rear quarter fiberglass, and put the money towards that and leave the front be?

-just let the proper course occur to fix what was damaged during the crash?


I dont want to take advantage of the system, however I said that to the GEICO guy, and he said the MONEY is mine to do what I want with it..... so.......... HELP!

[Chris]

Seeing as you are looking to sell it anyways after the new coupe, I would pocket it. Use it on a down payment once the Mitsu sells and adjust your price accordingly. If you put that 1800 back into the car I doubt you will see if back after being sold.

Thats just me, 22"s are expensive :p

[Chris]

Its funny that after my accident in the tramsam there was so much damage to the roof and 1/4 panel that they kept arguing with me that it wasn't from the deer n shit and I got fucked over, and Gieco is cool

[popo8]

....

Thats just me, 22"s are expensive :p



shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... lol


Well, let me tell you, if I pocket the money and sell the vette and montero...... there will be a new SUV in the driveway....

[BLK95-Z]

-pocket the money and leave the car be?

THIS! Even with the damage the car still looks great in the pics Ive seen. Maybe give it a week or two and see if it sells as-is.

[94Blackbird]

If you are going to sell the car anyways, I wouldn't put anymore money into it.

[popo8]

The thing is I dont know if I will sell the car.... I have it for sale....if it happens it happens..... you know what I mean..

[popo8]

Ok, so here is the plan......

When I get the check, I will deposit it......
For the vette I will......
-have a freind do some rewirring on some of the ghetto mods that were done...
-new TPS sensor to turn off the SES/Check Engine light....
-Replace the side glass with some glass from a friends wrecked vette....(mines scratched up....)
-TINT those sides BLACK!!!!
-4 wheel alignment....

AND DRIVE IT TILL IT SELLS OR BLOWS!!!!!!

[Chris]

Sounds good!

[popo8]

Sounds good!


I figure, as long as I pocket 1g of the 1800..... It will be a good compromise....