Need some advice/opinions

[Aaron_J]

Well, I see these types of threads frequently on other forums...Now I get to post one. Warning Long Post Ahead!

Someone hit my car.

A customer backed his truck into my car and left. A coworker saw this, got his license number and called the police.

I haven't spoken with the guy yet because I was not there when this happened but he told our office manager and the police officer that he didn't know he did so much damage. He said he knew he "tapped" my car but thought it was on my bumper and no damage was caused. Apparently the bumper on the rear of his truck was high enough to barely scrape over the front bumper of my car.

Since I have a moderate knowledge of body repair (I painted this car and did the necessary body work to make it flawless 2 years ago) I estimate the damage to be about $500 to $2000.

$500 to replace the fender, side light, repair the bumper and color match the paint.

$2000 IF and only IF the paint can't be matched and the entire car has to be resprayed. We aren't talking about Macco, or Earl Sheib here.

When I painted this car the paint alone with the various additives (like the flex-additive for the rubber bumpers) came to about $450. I also had the guy mixing the paint add a slight blue tint to my silver paint. This is why the paint may not be able to be matched. There is no code to use for it.

I can repair the car myself although I may not be inclined to. The other party, according to our office manager, expressed an interest in keeping this away from the insurance companies. I have reason to believe he is financially capable of doing this.

So here is the question:

Lets say you don't care as much about the car as you used to. You would be perfectly happy just pocketing the money toward another car and just patching this one. (Straighten fender, buy new light) Would you make the guy pay the full estimated repair cost or do you give him a break since you aren't going to repair it anyway?

On one hand I feel he is responsible for the repair cost no matter what I want to do with the money.

The other hand I would feel guilty if say the repairs were say $2000 and I was not going to repair the car with the money because the car is old enough that it is not devalued by nearly that much.

What are your thoughts?
(BTW, the guy told our office manager he was leaving for a vacation to Brazil next Friday and wants to settle this by then. I doubt he would push the issue on sending it to be repaired)

[pickel]

Slip of the mouse

[pickel]

Get at least three estimates and take the highest two.
Don't forget the front end alignment and any other driving problems. He left so make him pay for the damage and your time and the aggrivation.!!!!!!

P.S. Leaving the scene of an accident is a VERY serious offense. Use this leverage if you have you since you have an eye witness.

[Xeroid]

Another thing to ponder:

A guy rearended my company van 4 years ago. I had no choice but to call the police and notify my insurance company because of company policy. The guy contacted my insurance company and made a deal with the insurance company to reimburse them directly so he could keep the accident off of his insurance record.

I asked the girl with the insurance company if this was common and she said no. She said that she was pretty good at judging who this of type of deal would work with.

Perhaps you should notify your insurance to protect yourself and let him work something out with them.

Mike

[Aaron_J]

Xeroid. I suppose it would be a good idea to notify my insurance company and get some advice. I have nothing on my driving record so I might as well make my ins. company do something for all the money they charge me .

UPDATE:

I just spoke with the guy. He *seems* agreeable enough BUT he was under the impression that he just "cracked a headlight or something" I thought he came back to the shop to see my car but apparently the police officer paid him a friendly visit at his home. He still wants to stay away from the insurance company though.

I'll probably get an estimate or 3 Monday morning and go from there.

UPDATE2:

BTW, My car is a kinda small Acura Legend coupe. He was driving a 3/4 ton Suburban. I guess I can see how he may have thought he just "tapped" my car.

[Ed_S]

I'm of the opposite opinion from Xeroid. I wouldn't notify MY insurance of anything which is not my fault.
A few years ago, a guy ran into my wife's van. 100% his fault, per his ins co & the police report. We could have simply let our ins deal with his, but I saw no reason for mine to be informed whatsoever. I fought his ins to get things done properly & to our satisfaction. This was a pretty good wreck, 6K in damage.
I know from experience, it would have been twice the hassle had both co's been involved.
I also know for a fact, any incident goes on the record regardless of fault.

Now, regarding color match - any good paint supplier will have the equipment to "scope" the color & create it. If you know what brand material was used before, be sure to use the same - there IS a difference. For instance, some work was needed on my truck last year & DuPont's rep could NOT get it right in three tries. Sikkens equipment got it in one. (Yep, door was painted four times...)

How much to try for is a tough issue. As Pickel suggested, I'd get estimates. And remember, if you choose not to repair YOUR car fully, it'll have a lower value. So if you feel sorry for him & accept less, then what about the loss of value??