Ugh. Guy backed into my car at a stop sign

[SANTA3013]

I would always call and report the accident. If the police choose not to respond then you have a record with 911 that at least you called and tried to get a police officer to respond. Sometimes the insurance might not be so willing to help if you did not go to the effort to report the accident, no matter how minor. They might not even believe you. Good luck getting your car repaired to your satisfaction.

 

[ForceField]

Which model do you have?

Well I don't really have a dedicated dash cam. I use a Asus TF101 tablet which attaches to my dashboard and can take video through the windshield with it's on board rear facing camera. With the Torque app I also record engine diagnostics which are embedded right on top of the video (top and bottom of screen so it's not obstructing the view).

 

[KneeDragr]

Get hi. To sign a notarized statement or get a witness. One this nice elderly man speaks to someone he may change his story!

First thing you do in an accident scene, is take out your cell phone and start recording the conversation. I know several people who have bit hit by drivers who admitted wrongdoing at the scene, then changed their story later.

 

[bobble]

Sorry to hear about it. From the damage I would expect them to repaint not replace your bumper. If you Carfax your vin do you get the prior accident info, how do you know it was repainted once before, is there any proof? The reason I ask is if his adjuster is any good and found that was repainted once I doubt they will want to be on the hook for the whole bumper. It's really got very little to do with the gentleman who hit you and everythg to do with his insurance carrier, some are very aggressive about subrogating claims or depreciating the value of an already damaged vehicle. As far as estimates go, again it's up to how his insurance carrier works, some strictly go by their adjustors and estimators period.
Now what you could do is pocket the cash, buy a new unpainted bumper, have it sprayed and install yourself and you might come very close to even. Bumpers usually mount via a series of clips and very few fastners and are often easy to remove and reinstall. What kind of car is it that got hit and who is his carrier.
What part of SD are you in?
Oh and the PD are not going to respond to an accident unless there are injuries or an altercation occurring. Dialing 911 is not going to help and the operator will most likely refer you to the local PD/Sheriff number if no injuries. It's minor property damage and they have other priorities honestly.

 

[timaishu]

Good news so far. The guy that hit me accepted responsibility for the accident. So I am in the clear in regards to that.

I am going to call them after class and see what they have to say. And as far as my bumper, I know it was repainted before. When I bought the car, the bumper have zero rock chips; one of the headlights was brand new as well. Obviously indicates a repair was done. There are no carfax reports on it. So it was not done through insurance. My rear bumper is also a repaint. I know because the flake doesnt match and the clear coat is peeling and fading on the bottom.

The only reason I mentioned wanting the new bumper is because of the dent/crease in the plastic. Maybe the body shop could fill it with bondo to smooth it out? I just want my car to be perfect ya know? The dent will stick out like a sore thumb if they just repaint it.

And tips on what I should say when I talk to them later today? Im gonna call them around 4pm

Bobble - I live in Spring Valley.

 

[DJ Richard]

Which model do you have?

i have a dash cam just in case something like this happens. i use the GoPro HD Hero2. i have it set up right behind my rear view mirror. it cost me about $300 but it can record in 720p and 1080p and quality is good during the daytime but really bad at night and your headlights cause the license plate in front of you to reflect and comes out white in the video. i can post pic if you want a sample but theres plenty of videos on youtube and some good ones of guys on motorcycles.

i looked everywhere for a decent dash cam but none that i saw recorded in hd and there were some that turned off automatically when the car turns off but i read that some people had corrupted disks after a while. i'm assuming that those units don't safely power off.

 

[ForceField]

i have a dash cam just in case something like this happens. i use the GoPro HD Hero2. i have it set up right behind my rear view mirror. it cost me about $300 but it can record in 720p and 1080p and quality is good during the daytime but really bad at night and your headlights cause the license plate in front of you to reflect and comes out white in the video. i can post pic if you want a sample but theres plenty of videos on youtube and some good ones of guys on motorcycles.

i looked everywhere for a decent dash cam but none that i saw recorded in hd and there were some that turned off automatically when the car turns off but i read that some people had corrupted disks after a while. i'm assuming that those units don't safely power off.

My TF101 tablet costs the same and has 720p HD but can embed some engine diagnostics in addition. Just mounting is not as easy.

Here is a sample vid of it:
vid 4 - YouTube

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Sorry to hear of your accident, glad no one was hurt.

This is just another example of why I like a big, tall truck too high for anyone to hit.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[bobble]

Good news so far. The guy that hit me accepted responsibility for the accident. So I am in the clear in regards to that.

I am going to call them after class and see what they have to say. And as far as my bumper, I know it was repainted before. When I bought the car, the bumper have zero rock chips; one of the headlights was brand new as well. Obviously indicates a repair was done. There are no carfax reports on it. So it was not done through insurance. My rear bumper is also a repaint. I know because the flake doesnt match and the clear coat is peeling and fading on the bottom.

The only reason I mentioned wanting the new bumper is because of the dent/crease in the plastic. Maybe the body shop could fill it with bondo to smooth it out? I just want my car to be perfect ya know? The dent will stick out like a sore thumb if they just repaint it.

And tips on what I should say when I talk to them later today? Im gonna call them around 4pm

Bobble - I live in Spring Valley.

I would say as little as possible, actually say nothing other than the facts of the accident and only if asked. My wife is an insurance estimator, property damage residential and commercial, she can pick stuff out no one else would see, been doing it 30 years. It's funny because she was complaining over the weekend about someone who was trying to get all new flooring saying it was really new and she knew upon seeing it, the pattern and mfg'er, it was @20 years old, needless to say because he lied she depreciated the crap out of his lose and told come up with your receipt from 2 years ago and she'll reconsider her estimate. All he's done to date is complain to the adjuster how unfair it was.
Since it's such little damage they may not really look too much and see if it's been removed etc.. Good thing there's no isurance report etc and the back bumper has nothing to do with the front so if they bring that up I'd say so what.
Yep the body shop can fill and smooth the dent but if it's big I'd replace it.
I'll ask some friends if they have any recs on any shops out that way or El Cajon area, grew up in Mission Bay area but live in OC since the late 80's.

 

[timaishu]

I would say as little as possible, actually say nothing other than the facts of the accident and only if asked. My wife is an insurance estimator, property damage residential and commercial, she can pick stuff out no one else would see, been doing it 30 years. It's funny because she was complaining over the weekend about someone who was trying to get all new flooring saying it was really new and she knew upon seeing it, the pattern and mfg'er, it was @20 years old, needless to say because he lied she depreciated the crap out of his lose and told come up with your receipt from 2 years ago and she'll reconsider her estimate. All he's done to date is complain to the adjuster how unfair it was.
Since it's such little damage they may not really look too much and see if it's been removed etc.. Good thing there's no isurance report etc and the back bumper has nothing to do with the front so if they bring that up I'd say so what.
Yep the body shop can fill and smooth the dent but if it's big I'd replace it.
I'll ask some friends if they have any recs on any shops out that way or El Cajon area, grew up in Mission Bay area but live in OC since the late 80's.

Thanks bobble. The ones I have in mind so far that I want to look at are Gene Townsend, Philip Thearle's Autowerks, and Amatos Body Shop.

My mom has been to Gene Townsend, I have seen their work and I am pleased with their paint matching abilities. But I want to keep my options open incase they try to give me beef with where I want it taken.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Karma.

No, you can't always get what you wantNo, you can't always get what you wantNo, you can't always get what you wantBut if you try sometime, you just might findYou get what you need


Copied from MetroLyrics.com



[video=youtube_share;EM_p1Az05Jo"]Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want (The David Frost Show 1969) - YouTube[/video]

 

[timaishu]

Okay, so I gave State Farm a call. They were very nice and informative.

Two of the shops I was thinking of going to are on their list of shops they deal directly with. And us being autogeeks, you know darn well I am going inspect the finished product for any defects(paint mismatch, solevant pop etc). I even mentioned that I don't want a cheap paint job, that I want it done right. He said if there is an issue, I can call State Farm and they will make it right. He then said if I am unhappy with the finished product from a non listed shop, that I will have to deal with the shop myself.

And if I do take it to a shop they dont deal with, he said they will have to do an inspection of my car before letting them work on it.

So I am thinking it is in my benefit to go to one of their approved body shops right? He made it clear that is was my choice of where I want to go.

Im going to visit these body shop and inquire about the repair. I want to know what they would do to fix it and what they can do about the dent.

The guy on the phone never asked anything about the damage to the car, he simply told talked to me about body shops.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Tim, you are a valued forum member and are much respected....I hope that all works out to your liking.

Sound of the other shoe falling:

Just think about your opinion of the customer that wants a full correction...but only willing to pay for a one-step...my two cents.

 

[timaishu]

Sorry to hear of your accident, glad no one was hurt.

This is just another example of why I like a big, tall truck too high for anyone to hit.


:xyxthumbs:

Thanks Mike. Yeah, he backed into me maybe going 2-3mph. No injuries at all. Just a loud thud and my car shook a little.

 

[DaveT435]

Okay, so I gave State Farm a call. They were very nice and informative.

Two of the shops I was thinking of going to are on their list of shops they deal directly with. And us being autogeeks, you know darn well I am going inspect the finished product for any defects(paint mismatch, solevant pop etc). I even mentioned that I don't want a cheap paint job, that I want it done right. He said if there is an issue, I can call State Farm and they will make it right. He then said if I am unhappy with the finished product from a non listed shop, that I will have to deal with the shop myself.

And if I do take it to a shop they dont deal with, he said they will have to do an inspection of my car before letting them work on it.

So I am thinking it is in my benefit to go to one of their approved body shops right? He made it clear that is was my choice of where I want to go.

Im going to visit these body shop and inquire about the repair. I want to know what they would do to fix it and what they can do about the dent.

The guy on the phone never asked anything about the damage to the car, he simply told talked to me about body shops.

Sounds like the guy told his insurance company he did it...that's a good thing!! I would go with one of the shops State Farm recommended. Especially since you were already considering two of them anyway. Like you said if you aren't happy with the job you have some recourse.

 

[DJ Richard]

My TF101 tablet costs the same and has 720p HD but can embed some engine diagnostics in addition. Just mounting is not as easy.

Here is a sample vid of it:
vid 4 - YouTube

thats really cool. video is similar to the gopro but the TF101 looks huge. if the gopro could somehow add the gps stuff then it would be the perfect camera.
heres a size comparison pic of the gopro next to an iphone.

 

[sportscarhiatus]

So sorry man. That would royally piss me off. Get a new bumper and paint if you can swing it.

 

[ForceField]

thats really cool. video is similar to the gopro but the TF101 looks huge. if the gopro could somehow add the gps stuff then it would be the perfect camera.
heres a size comparison pic of the gopro next to an iphone.

Yeah I just chose the TF101 because I like the large display so I can see the gauges easily since I mount it in the center of the dashboard.

You can also use any Android phone. Most do 720p video and can run torque and track recorder (plugin for torque).

To the OP sorry this happened to you and I hope everything works out for you.

 

[style]

About 40 minutes ago. I pulled up behind an eldery driven El Camino at a stop sign. I was waiting for him to go and for some reason he put his car in reverse and hit my front bumper.

Paint chipped off bumper and fractured the paint/bumper as I now have cracks.

Ugh, Im mad, but at the same time not really.

I called my insurance and he recommended I call his if I do not want to pay a deductable - which I dont. I did nothing wrong. He backed into me in REVERSE at a STOP SIGN. So the claim has been made on his insurance.

So I guess I now wait? I've never made a claim before.

Any recommenedations you guys? This bumper needs to be repainted, if not replaced.

I'll post pictures after I eat lunch.

talk to his insurance company let them do an estimate/have one of their adjusters look it over reguardless your ahead of the game that bumper new cost 65.00 and to prep it and paint it is $175 with a body shop profit of 110bucks ,we do these all the time..
★PROFESSIONAL AUTO BODY REPAIR! VOTED BEST! DEDUCTABLE WAIVED!★

 

[style]

Okay, so I gave State Farm a call. They were very nice and informative.

Two of the shops I was thinking of going to are on their list of shops they deal directly with. And us being autogeeks, you know darn well I am going inspect the finished product for any defects(paint mismatch, solevant pop etc). I even mentioned that I don't want a cheap paint job, that I want it done right. He said if there is an issue, I can call State Farm and they will make it right. He then said if I am unhappy with the finished product from a non listed shop, that I will have to deal with the shop myself.

And if I do take it to a shop they dont deal with, he said they will have to do an inspection of my car before letting them work on it.

So I am thinking it is in my benefit to go to one of their approved body shops right? He made it clear that is was my choice of where I want to go.

Im going to visit these body shop and inquire about the repair. I want to know what they would do to fix it and what they can do about the dent.

The guy on the phone never asked anything about the damage to the car, he simply told talked to me about body shops.

this is the reason to go with an independent shop and not a drp shop, save time and money ..

its a very simple process go look at their work ,ask them what kind of materials they use if its nason or omni walk away if its sherwin williams/martin senour or glasurit or a very reputable brand then go with it, its a very simple process scuff down new bumper with gray scoch brite pad then clean it with wax and grease remover then spray adheasion promoter on it then base then clear..

wait till its dry and install it about 8clips and two bolts..

with a normal shop its a one day thing with the new bumper and 30 minutes down time when they install it..

we do them in 3 hrs in and out but thats a whole different story..

go with an independant,
its only an altima not a bentley or anything and tell them "here spray this ill pick it up tomorrow and make sure you use bulldog i dont want this crap flaking off"..

spend the rest of your insurance check on a new tornador black..