Got in a fender bender (literally)

Yesterday, I got in an accident while driving home from shopping at the mall. An "XO Communications" truck merged from the left lane into the right lane, apparently trying to get around the car in front of him that was waiting for a left turn at the intersection. I was in the right lane when he merged. He was already next to me when he started merging, so I hit the gas to try to avoid a hit on the side. It almost worked... the key word being "almost." The front bumper of his Chevy van hit the rear fender on my driver's side, scraping and denting the entire fender flare. The paint is chipping off, and there is a large scrape on the rear bumper as well.

We exchanged information, and made copies at his office (about 100 yards away). He was quite polite about the whole thing.

Still very agitating, however.

[n00b on demand]

Should have made a police report.

[ensteele]

Oh no! I am sorry to hear that. Hope you can still make the meet on Saturday.

Originally Posted by soobiesvx93

Should have made a police report.

We called the police while in his office, and apparently Seattle does not dispatch officers for minor accidents. We both have to pick up a copy of a police report file to fill it out and submit it.

[Earthworm]

Why does it always have to be the driver's side?

If someone decides to damage my car again at least do something to the passenger rear quarter panel. That's the only panel I have issues with on my car. For the record I have had large repairs done 3 times to the driver's side of my car.

Did you take any pictures of the accident? It's always good to have them handy for when they try to weasel out of taking responsibility.

[n00b on demand]

Originally Posted by deruvian

We called the police while in his office, and apparently Seattle does not dispatch officers for minor accidents. We both have to pick up a copy of a police report file to fill it out and submit it.

Damn man that sucks. I hate accidents....what a headache.

[thundering02]

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Why does it always have to be the driver's side?

If someone decides to damage my car again at least do something to the passenger rear quarter panel. That's the only panel I have issues with on my car. For the record I have had large repairs done 3 times to the driver's side of my car.

Funny Ive always taken a liking (so to speak) to the right side instead

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Why does it always have to be the driver's side?

If someone decides to damage my car again at least do something to the passenger rear quarter panel. That's the only panel I have issues with on my car. For the record I have had large repairs done 3 times to the driver's side of my car.

Did you take any pictures of the accident? It's always good to have them handy for when they try to weasel out of taking responsibility.

Glad to know that I have something to look forward to.

Does anyone know of a good body shop in the Seattle area?

Earlier today the insurance company for XO Communications, St. Paul Traveler's, had an appraiser come and look at my car. The estimate that was given to me was for inner body panel repair; outer body panel replacement, painting, and blending; upper body panel (has the SVX logo) blending; door blending; rear bumper refinishment, paint, and blending; and trunk deck and rear spoiler blending.

The total for the quote was $2731.

Damn. I am glad that I don't have to pay for it!

Now, when I get my check, do I get the car fixed based on the estimate, have a body shop tap out the dent, or say "screw it"? I sure could do a lot with $2731, and I could probably find a body shop that could at least make the dent look better for the $731.

And I could then do a lot with $2000.

Decisions, decisions...

[pavanbabut]

Originally Posted by deruvian

Earlier today the insurance company for XO Communications, St. Paul Traveler's, had an appraiser come and look at my car. The estimate that was given to me was for inner body panel repair; outer body panel replacement, painting, and blending; upper body panel (has the SVX logo) blending; door blending; rear bumper refinishment, paint, and blending; and trunk deck and rear spoiler blending.

The total for the quote was $2731.

Damn. I am glad that I don't have to pay for it!

Now, when I get my check, do I get the car fixed based on the estimate, have a body shop tap out the dent, or say "screw it"? I sure could do a lot with $2731, and I could probably find a body shop that could at least make the dent look better for the $731.

And I could then do a lot with $2000.

Decisions, decisions...

Hi Deruvian,

gimme me atleast $100 so tht i can have my scratch on front bumper repaired and painted.

Anyway sorry to hear tht ur good looking car got wiered looks on its back.

-Pavan.

Find a body shop that dealers use. Outside of real artists, those shops will be the best. Visit first to make sure you like the look of the shop - clean, well organized, working on expensive/new cars... Then take it to them and let them do it correctly. Just because the adjuster said it would take $X to fix doesn't mean it will take $X. Body shops always find more wrong when they get into the repair than was visible from the outside. They file additional adjustments directly to the insurance company, which verifies the damage and then covers it.

After the repair is completed, your insurance company will require another inspection to verify the work was done. If they don't get the inspection they will never cover any other damage to that part of the car... so get it done correctly and get the inspection. The only reason to cheap out is if you don't like the car and will be getting rid of it soon. And I think we all know the answer to that.

-Ben
Marlborough, MA

[Earthworm]

I agree 100% with Ben.

Welcome to the site Ben.