Minor car accident questions

[reenie1]

Today, my car was hit in a parking lot while I was at Dunkin' Donuts. It was a hit and run, but a witness got the license plate and the police tracked the person down and they had corresponding damage on their car. It turns out it was the teenage daughter of the owner of a well known car repair place in town, so of course the father wants to fix the car himself. He has actually worked on my car before and I think he is trustworthy, but I don't know him well.

The driver's side of the rear bumper was hit and it slightly displaced the bumper on both ends (maybe 1/4 inch). The witness said it was completely pushed in and then just bumped back out itself. Part of it that was sticking out I pressed on and it popped into place. There are some scratches as well. It doesn't look bad but I am nervous there might be more damage than I can see. Does anyone know if it is typical to replace a bumper in a situation like this or does it differ from accident to accident? Or is this likely something they can just push back into place and touch up the paint and not worry about it? I am clueless when it comes to cars and don't want to end up paying down the road if I let this guy repair it and he doesn't do it right since he's not making any money.

 

[LaurLaur04]

I do know most bumpers these days are just plastic and have a big chunk of foam stuff behind them.

 

[swilshire]

I would be tempted to agree, but to ask the father to write out an estimate or statement showing exactly what he agrees to fix and stating that all costs are his. Since you have the police report, you could always sue him later, but if he is a reputable dealer, it probably won't be necessary.

Another teenager backed into my daughter's car when she was in high school and we allowed them to fix it without filling against their insurance. I understand them being concerned about rate increases.

I would, however, request that he have a strong talk with his daughter about the penalties for hit and run accidents. If he readily agrees, then I would know he is handling the problem. If he just makes excuses for the kid, I'd insist on filing the insurance.

Sheila

 

[Judique]

Today, my car was hit in a parking lot while I was at Dunkin' Donuts. It was a hit and run, but a witness got the license plate and the police tracked the person down and they had corresponding damage on their car. It turns out it was the teenage daughter of the owner of a well known car repair place in town, so of course the father wants to fix the car himself. He has actually worked on my car before and I think he is trustworthy, but I don't know him well.

The driver's side of the rear bumper was hit and it slightly displaced the bumper on both ends (maybe 1/4 inch). The witness said it was completely pushed in and then just bumped back out itself. Part of it that was sticking out I pressed on and it popped into place. There are some scratches as well. It doesn't look bad but I am nervous there might be more damage than I can see. Does anyone know if it is typical to replace a bumper in a situation like this or does it differ from accident to accident? Or is this likely something they can just push back into place and touch up the paint and not worry about it? I am clueless when it comes to cars and don't want to end up paying down the road if I let this guy repair it and he doesn't do it right since he's not making any money.

Get an estimate somewhere else. I would steer clear of the dad, not because I think he would cheat you but because you will always be wondering if things were fixed correctly.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would get someone to look at it. Like you said there may be other damage you can see and who is to say the other guy will take care of that. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[lexysdad04]

im sure the dad wont want his rep to be ruined by being cheap o your job plus you said he worked on your car b4, so did you like his previous work if so then I don't see a problem using him again

 

[kellyg403]

OP, I think the best thing to do is to get a couple estimates on what needs to be done by other repair shops. Since the dad is wanting to pay/fix oop the damages to your car, he should fix any that resulted from the accident.

If he decides that he would prefer NOT to, at least you have the estimates and known damage when you file your insurance claim.

My gut is that they guy will probably fix what needs to be fixed but I always feel better when I at least know what needs to be done. I would not feel comfortable handing over my car on an agreement that he fix the car and not know exactly what NEEDS to be fixed. Sometimes the damage isn't always just cosmetics.

Kelly

 

[buzz2400]

OP, I think the best thing to do is to get a couple estimates on what needs to be done by other repair shops. Since the dad is wanting to pay/fix oop the damages to your car, he should fix any that resulted from the accident.

If he decides that he would prefer NOT to, at least you have the estimates and known damage when you file your insurance claim.

My gut is that they guy will probably fix what needs to be fixed but I always feel better when I at least know what needs to be done. I would not feel comfortable handing over my car on an agreement that he fix the car and not know exactly what NEEDS to be fixed. Sometimes the damage isn't always just cosmetics.

Kelly

I was going to post the same answer. I would just go and get one estimate from another reputable place and then let him fix what the other place said needs to be fixed.

 

[manning]

I do know most bumpers these days are just plastic and have a big chunk of foam stuff behind them.

You will want to have the bumper checked completely. Someone rear ended me hard enough it collapsed his front end. My bumper looked like it did not have any damage. Turned out to be the most expensive part of the repair to the tune of $1600. There's more to it than you think.

 

[Happyjen27]

ALWAYS go through insurance. What if he takes an extra week and can't float you a loaner car? What if you doubt the repair? What if he doesn't check the frame for impact stress? I stopped counting on people's "good name" a long time ago.

He can still do the work if you prefer, but through the insurance company. If he doesn't want his rates to go up, he can take less money from them for the repair. My insurance doesn't go up unless claims are $1000 or more.

 

[Eastern]

I would get at least 1 other estimate.

I backed into a gas line pole one time. The dent in my bumper was minor, but when the repair guy opened up the trunk you could see damage to the interior. It ended up being an expensive repair (maybe about $1500?)

I would probably go through insurance myself.

 

[wiigirl]

I would get someone to look at it. Like you said there may be other damage you can see and who is to say the other guy will take care of that. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[amcnj]

Some auto parts have behind the scenes impact absorber type structures that are good for one bump only so better to get it checked out to make sure all is OK.

 

[emkamartin]

When we had ours replaced due to accident there was a bar behind it that had to be replaced as well.

 

[seashoreCM]

Just my opinion to get a different repair shop to do the repair.

In addition, if you do business with friends, if something goes wrong then be prepared to say, "goodbye friendship."

 

[RCBA]

We own a small body shop and my personal opinion is let them take care of it. The shop isn't going to risk their rep over a bumper cover.

 

[tony609]

I strongly suggest going through your insurance on this. Pick a different garage. I am in insurance and I caution you to please turn it in and tell the whole truth to the story that it was a hit and run. I know many say "but he owns a garage and does good work, he won't want to ruin his rep by half doing the job." That may not be that case. He could fix visual damage and leave the rest. If you go and complain later you have nothing to stand on, word ofmouth does go around BUT he could also say "you were just a difficult" customer. PLEASE go to your insurance and tell the hit and run story.

 

[mousefan5]

My teenage son rearended someone. I had her get an estimate and even recommended my usual garage. I chose to pay out of pocket and not involve my insurance. I paid the bill with the garage. I don't think it would need to involve insurance if he is willing to take care of it. I would recommend a second opinion to make sure everything is covered. If this garage was good enough for you to use before, I would give them a chance to make it right without involving insurance.

 

[angierae]

When I got rear-ended there were two little cracks in my (Plastic) bumper, but there was almost $2000 worth of damage because the bar and the foam and everything UNDER it had to be replaced. I would get an estimate from someone else, just to be sure that all the internal damage you can't see is actually being dealt with.

 

[Juliet25]

You will want to have the bumper checked completely. Someone rear ended me hard enough it collapsed his front end. My bumper looked like it did not have any damage. Turned out to be the most expensive part of the repair to the tune of $1600. There's more to it than you think.

I agree. A few months ago I was rear ended and everything looked fine. As I was turning into my street, my car started making a terrible noise. The muffler had been knocked off. The repair bill was $900.

I see no reason for you to use this man. What his daughter did was awful. Any money for repairs needs to come out of her pocket.