First Scratch

Posting from my phone, so hopefully I don't screw this up...

Got T-boned on my way home from work on a city street. Guy tried to do an illegal U-turn out of a parking spot and nailed me. Luckily two city police officers witnessed the entire thing. He was at fault and getting multiple tickets when the cops let me go. I think he was unlicensed and was definitely driving someone's else's minivan. I hope they have insurance and it covers it, though I have a feeling I'm in for a sh*t storm.

Totally bums me out; I baby this truck. He hit me square in between the doors and it really jacked it up the center pillar in between the doors.. bent to hell, as is the body under the doors. The truck is pulling pretty hard too, so it seems the alignment is out of whack. My past experience is that this truck will never be the same.

Off to get drunk!!

 

Oh...pretty big scratch there.

 

Well that'll fk up your weekend. Sorry to see that.

 

Thanks guys.. going camping in the Adirondacks this weekend. Now I have to show up in the girlfriends Forester. Damn it!

 

That beats my first scratch!!

 

What was the other person driving

 

Not another silver truck! Gonna hafta trade mine in before it's to late LOL!!

 

Ouch, good one..opened you up like a sardine can...

 

POS 2005 Dodge minivan

 

That sucks, sorry OP, I would be devastated. Good news is you are going to the Adirondacks, beautiful there, but much better in a new Tacoma.

 

At least the frame isn't bent.

 

Thanks for the kind words, all. I'm losing sleep over this ordeal.. literally. I known shit happens, but man this is a tough one to swallow.

So after talking with my insurance company twice, they're unable to find the other drivers policy, even though it's through them. They basically told me to sit tight until the police report is ready in a few days. I think I might take it to my dealers body shop on Monday when I get home from camping to at least get that part going. I'm sure it'll be a fight with Geico to get the work done there, vs one of their "in network" shops, or whatever. But I'd rather have it done by an authorized Toyota shop.

 

Some states have a "right to choose" law. Check into that before your insurance company tells you where to go. I'm dealing with that currently with my scratch.

Here's how that that law reads in PA, #3:

 

The saga continues.

The other driver was driving his brothers vehicle when he nailed me, with permission mind you. I was there when they were yelling at each other. Since then, I've been battling with the insurance companies to get this resolved so I can get the work started on my truck. My insurance has me down as not at fault and just filed it as a report instead of a claim while we wait for the other drivers agent to get the claim going.

Well now the owner of the other vehicle is saying his brother didn't have permission to drive his vehicle and his insurance policy is denying the claim. W..T...F.. I'm still waiting for the official police report to be available to forward on to his agent; should be any day now, although it's probably not going to make a difference.

So I have no choice but to file my own claim and get the work started. The Toyota collision repair center estimated $7000 for 2 new doors, rocker panel, tube step, paint, and all the various trim pieces. At the moment I'm out the $500 deductible and hopefully my premiums don't shoot up. This will be the first time I've ever had to use an insurance claim for collision repair in my 20ish years of driving. What a pain in my ass.

Should I pursue legal action? I have no idea. It sounds like more of a headache than it's worth.

 

If they tell you that you can not go the shop of your choosing, please ask for it writing. They will instantly change their tune. But if they truly are dumb enough to give that to it to you in writing, which they won't, please send me a copy of it and I will personally make sure that whatever insurance company you buy insurance from will never be able to sell insurance in that state again. This is becoming a re-occurring problem in my industry and I am doing everything I can to prevent it.

 

Hey, thanks. I'm dropping it off tonight at the collision center that I want. I told my insurance that it's over there and that's where I want the work done. They're sending their adjuster over there this week. I'll let you all know if it changes.

 

You're on the right track! Make sure you get OEM parts too, not LKQ re-pops!

 

And please keep us updated.. I'm curious to see how everything goes. Hope all turns out well.

 

Just a small update:

The Toyota collision center wrote my estimate for all OEM parts ($6900). I talked to the manager and asked that he do all he can to push for OEM parts since this is a new vehicle. He was cool enough to agree do it for me. I talked to the Geico adjuster this morning and gave him my sob story and pleaded for OEM parts for this brand new truck that got hit by some negligent idiot who I was pursuing legal issue against. He was actually very sympathetic. He drove out there today and estimated around $1000 less. I walked through both estimates line by line, and it seems Geico actually did estimate for OEM parts. All parts between the two estimates were exactly the same cost and number, thank god. The only difference is the "adjustment" for labor, where apparently Geico works them over for cheaper labor costs. I've yet to talk to the shop manager, but it seems at least I'm getting genuine Toyota parts for this repair.

In regards to the other side of things, I went down to the Police station and the report still isn't ready. She asked me to hold out until Monday. She did mention that she saw a bunch of tickets issued to the other driver, and he may have been arrested, but she wasn't sure. Time will tell. In the meantime, I've sought out legal advice and might pursue filing a small claim against the driver if Geico can't get anywhere with it. It's actually pretty cheap to do. Even if I don't get my money back, I want to be a thorn in this guy's side for as long as I possibly can.

Edit: I heard back from the collision center, and they are in fact repairing with OEM parts. At least I have that going for me. I've also begun the process of filing a complaint with the Attorney General's office and Insurance Crime Bureau in regards to the driver and owner possibly committing insurance fraud. No idea what will come of it, but we'll see.