Help! Car Accident and "Fraud"

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

And probably a solid plan. Numerous insurers are offering the "free accident" t to their top rated drivers and you really do want to save it for a more expensive accident.

I agree with her on this one, especially considering the damage this time is relatively minor and purely cosmetic. You can't get much minor than her most recent fender bender. It's just that her planning ahead for the next one is a little unsettling.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by 4X4

It's just so pathetic. And what goes around, comes around. For example: one day I was giving my little sis driving lessons. I was driving at the time and was yapping on and on about certain concepts of driving that need to be understood. We were pulling out of a parking stall and I ticked a minivan (that was in motion). The other driver, a nice middle aged lady, says that the minor scratch doesn't bother her. We'll exchange info and if her husband cares, then we'll do something about it.
I get a call later that day from the husband who tells me that it's no big deal and that he has some touch-up paint and to just forget about it. "These things happen. It's not the end of the world".
I was pretty happy about that.

About two weeks later, my dad and I were bumping along in his crappy old van. For some reason, my dad must own, at all times, a spare beater.
So we get rear ended by some guy that could barely speak english, but was very flustered and clearly sorry. He was visibly scared that his world was now on the verge of disaster over this minor dent he put in the back of our ugly van.
I had related my story to my dad about the events of a couple of weeks ago, and so my dad just winked at me and told the guy to relax and forget about it. I've never seen such a look of pure relief as that guy had that day. Hopefully he kept the cycle going and he's not one of the dickheads in these other stories.

Nice. Pay it forward as they say. Years ago I was a delivery driver, backed into someone's crappy old Firebird and was worried as hell that they were going to take me to the cleaners. He laughed, said don't worry about it (barely nicked the guy).

Oh, and I totally agree with the "let your insurance deal with it" thing. My wife was hit last year and our company took care of everything.

[MacDougalbry]

The standard is to ask for 3 quotes; insist that he get quotes from two "accredited shops" that accept credit card. If he won't go for it, ask for his insurance information.

[Tron_fdc]

On a sidenote I actually ran over the front left corner of a parked car (didn't see it beside me, seeing as my truck had a 4" lift and 35" tires).

I could have blazed, but I did the honest thing and jumped out, left a note and my business card. About a week later I get a call from an old guy who says it was his daughters car, and that he went to pick your part, bought all the parts he needed, repainted it himself, and was wondering if it's ok if I send him a cheque for $150.00.

I made one out for $200 and had it couriered. I couldn't believe someone was that nice, and he said the reason he was doing it all so cheap was because I left a note, when most people would just take off.

[Flashpoint]

You pay for insurance.

Now is the time to use it.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by habernac

backed into someone's crappy old Firebird and was worried as hell that they were going to take me to the cleaners. He laughed, said don't worry about it (barely nicked the guy).

No you've got me wonderring, have we met before? I own a crappy old Firebird and have told a couple of people "not to worry about it" with minor accidents.

Best time had to be when my dad borrowed my car and got into an accident. After the instances of being a kid and getting into accidents with my parents cars, he thought for sure I was going to blow my top. He couldn't believe it when I told him not to worry about it; that it was just a car.

[Gozer]

Get something in writing if you can, emails work. Give your side of the story to the cops, then tell them "see you in court."

He's being a di*k, fu*k him.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

On a sidenote I actually ran over the front left corner of a parked car (didn't see it beside me, seeing as my truck had a 4" lift and 35" tires).

I could have blazed, but I did the honest thing and jumped out, left a note and my business card. About a week later I get a call from an old guy who says it was his daughters car, and that he went to pick your part, bought all the parts he needed, repainted it himself, and was wondering if it's ok if I send him a cheque for $150.00.

I made one out for $200 and had it couriered. I couldn't believe someone was that nice, and he said the reason he was doing it all so cheap was because I left a note, when most people would just take off.

There's so many cool things about this post, not the least of which is the rig you describe.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by fredr123

The occupants of the other car were irate and adamant that it was solely my wife's fault. Getting any insurance info out of them was next to impossible. All they would do is tell my wife their name and wrote down the name of their insurance agent. My wife gave them her name, phone number, insurance company and policy number. They talked about reporting the accident to the police but the other driver was too busy to do that.

First two things I would do in a situation like that:

1. Snap pictures of the aftermath from all angles.
2. Tell them that legally they are required to exchange insurance info, and if they aren't willing to tell me, they can tell the cop I'm about to call.

Another thing I've learned from a previous fender bender was to always get the VIN number off the other car too.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

First two things I would do in a situation like that:

1. Snap pictures of the aftermath from all angles.
2. Tell them that legally they are required to exchange insurance info, and if they aren't willing to tell me, they can tell the cop I'm about to call.

Another thing I've learned from a previous fender bender was to always get the VIN number off the other car too.

Agree.

1. The passenger with my wife got a few on her camera phone (they didn't have any other camera).
2. They didn't seem to give a crap. I personally called the cops in a different situation a year or so ago when we were rear-ended by some drunkies.

The ironic thing in all of this? There's my wife cruising the mean streets of Brentwood Village in the metropolis of Calgary and she gets into a fender bender with some old fogies from the exact same small town we're from. There's about 900 people there and it's about 4 hours south of Calgary. The other people didn't recognize my wife but she recognized them. Small world.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by ken0042

No you've got me wonderring, have we met before? I own a crappy old Firebird and have told a couple of people "not to worry about it" with minor accidents.

Best time had to be when my dad borrowed my car and got into an accident. After the instances of being a kid and getting into accidents with my parents cars, he thought for sure I was going to blow my top. He couldn't believe it when I told him not to worry about it; that it was just a car.

did you live in Fort McMurray in 1993?

My wife once backed into my Camry and left a scrape down the rear quarter panel and sat in the living room dreading the moment I came home. She couldn't believe it when I said the very same thing: it's just a car. Accidents happen.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I had related my story to my dad about the events of a couple of weeks ago, and so my dad just winked at me and told the guy to relax and forget about it. I've never seen such a look of pure relief as that guy had that day. Hopefully he kept the cycle going and he's not one of the dickheads in these other stories.

That's such a great story and if more people were like that the world would be a better place to live in.

Thanks for sharing. My opinion of you, and your funny little left lane rants , sure went up.

Nothing new to add to the thread except to reiterate that going to the insurance, in this case, is definitely for the best.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I could have blazed, but I did the honest thing and jumped out, left a note and my business card.

When this happens I leave a note that says "All the people watching think I am leaving you my phone number." Then make my getaway!!

Just kidding. I do think it is funny though.

Also, reminds me of dilbert cartoon where the new guy is being introduced to Dilbert and Wally. Wally hands him a card and says if you ever need any help or anything give me a call. After the guy leaves Dilbert says "That was my card wasn't it?" That cracks me up. Maybe I have to get out more?

[BBQorMILDEW]

I once was at The Liquor Depot in Heritage Plaza, I had just pulled in to the parking spot and was about to open the door and get out of my car when all of a sudden a car came and bumped into my drivers tail light.

I had a 85 Nissan Sentra hatchback at the time, This lady came out of her car in hysterics she was visibly drunk and on the way to the liquor store for another bottle. I took a look at both cars and I had very minimal damage while she had a substantial amount of damage, (over 1000) My buddies were all telling me to call the cops and get her arrested but i just couldn't do it. She barely nicked my car, I told her to give me 150 dollars I would get go get my car detailed and she could go without any cops coming to arrest her.

She was estatic and gave me 160 and she took off.

I was around 17 at the time so it was quite alot of money for a friday night, My car was a POS anyways,
Would you guys have done the same.?

[Titan]

Originally Posted by BBQorMILDEW

This lady came out of her car in hysterics she was visibly drunk and on the way to the liquor store for another bottle.

Would you guys have done the same.?

Nope. Drunk = 911

She could kill someone later.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by BBQorMILDEW

I once was at The Liquor Depot in Heritage Plaza, I had just pulled in to the parking spot and was about to open the door and get out of my car when all of a sudden a car came and bumped into my drivers tail light.

I had a 85 Nissan Sentra hatchback at the time, This lady came out of her car in hysterics she was visibly drunk and on the way to the liquor store for another bottle. I took a look at both cars and I had very minimal damage while she had a substantial amount of damage, (over 1000) My buddies were all telling me to call the cops and get her arrested but i just couldn't do it. She barely nicked my car, I told her to give me 150 dollars I would get go get my car detailed and she could go without any cops coming to arrest her.

She was estatic and gave me 160 and she took off.

I was around 17 at the time so it was quite alot of money for a friday night, My car was a POS anyways,
Would you guys have done the same.?

She was drunk, I would've called the cops.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by BBQorMILDEW

I was around 17 at the time so it was quite alot of money for a friday night, My car was a POS anyways,
Would you guys have done the same.?

At the age of 17, yeah, I probably would have. Today (after losing some family to drunk drivers) no way.

I think everyone has mentioned it here but:

1) Unfortunately, it's getting to the point where you have to cover yourself in these situations as depending on people to be 'reasonable' and honest could put you in a bad spot.

2) In this situation, I would tell them to take a hike until more estimates are done. If they want, they can take you to a small claims court.

3) As some have mentioned, you don't have to report accidents under $1000 here in Alberta- Ontario may be different.

[AaronSJ]

I live in Toronto and was told by a police officer that the law is you must report any accident with a combined damage of >$1000 to a Collision reporting centre within 24 hours. HOWEVER, this does not appear to be mandatory!.

"Any driver involved in a collision where damage to vehicles or property is more than $1,000 may report the collision to a Collision Reporting Centre"

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/faq/vehicle.htm (scroll down)


I agree with #2 above -- call their bluff and make them get an appropriate estimate or take you to small claims court. If you still have a copy of the "December 2007" estimate, it would make for an interesting court appearance.

[bluejays]

Update: Thanks for the help everyone. The ending to this drama was anticlamactic. Basically, my mom and myself were all for giving it to this guy, considering the little law courses I took basically told me the father (the principle) hired the paint shop (the agent) and because the agent acted on behalf of the principle and sent the false documentation, if the father brought it to court he'd likely lose. But alas, my dad's health is put ahead of making a point, so rather than contacting the police or insurance and having future problems with this guy, basically I just told my dad, lowball him with a basic offer of say $150 (comparing to his almost $900), and negotiate from there. My dad eventually settled with him for $500, got him to sign a release and the guy seemed genuinely pissed. I'm sure he made a solid $250 off us pretty easily, but sometimes health comes ahead of monetary issues. Just deposited $500 into my pop's account.

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated!