Pink Partridge
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2016
Two months ago, the (texting) girl in front of me started backing up instead of going forward at a stop sign. She must have had it in park to text and was looking completely down. Once she realized someone was behind her, she threw it into reverse. I saw the lights, and backed up to avoid her hitting me. She did not hit me. Caught herself, and sped off.
Unfortunately, when I back up, I hit a landscaping trailer parked on the street. Not hard. I had scrape on my bumper. The trailer was makeshift. Wooden. Perhaps homemade. I went to the yard to tell the two guys doing work. We inspected the trailer and did see a metal rod was bent. Did I do it? Did they do it prior? I don't know. It looked like something my husband could fix in a jiffy. They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal. I gave my name and phone number. After all, I was at fault if they needed help.
Never heard from them. Until yesterday. I got a bill in the mail for $900!! Two months later. The trailer itself couldn't have been worth that much.
I guess the company the men worked for tracked me down via my name. I have a unique name, so it would not be difficult to do. I called the company (local) and asked for an itemized bill. All they sent me was an invoice on company letterhead that said "Trailer Repair: $900".
The manager said it was fixed "in house" and if I would like, he could report the accident and we could go through insurance. His tone basically said he is NOT going to give me an itemized bill. I am to just pay him the $900 and be done with it all.
I am 100% at fault for the bent rod. But why 2 months later? Why no itemized bill? And why $900? For all I know, they could have had other damages done since then and using me to pick up the tab.
What would you do? Just pay and be done? Call my insurance? There is no police report. And I am sure my insurance will go up if I submit this. Is it worth just begrudgingly paying the $900 and going on my merry way?
Unfortunately, when I back up, I hit a landscaping trailer parked on the street. Not hard. I had scrape on my bumper. The trailer was makeshift. Wooden. Perhaps homemade. I went to the yard to tell the two guys doing work. We inspected the trailer and did see a metal rod was bent. Did I do it? Did they do it prior? I don't know. It looked like something my husband could fix in a jiffy. They laughed. Declined help. Said no big deal. I gave my name and phone number. After all, I was at fault if they needed help.
Never heard from them. Until yesterday. I got a bill in the mail for $900!! Two months later. The trailer itself couldn't have been worth that much.
I guess the company the men worked for tracked me down via my name. I have a unique name, so it would not be difficult to do. I called the company (local) and asked for an itemized bill. All they sent me was an invoice on company letterhead that said "Trailer Repair: $900".
The manager said it was fixed "in house" and if I would like, he could report the accident and we could go through insurance. His tone basically said he is NOT going to give me an itemized bill. I am to just pay him the $900 and be done with it all.
I am 100% at fault for the bent rod. But why 2 months later? Why no itemized bill? And why $900? For all I know, they could have had other damages done since then and using me to pick up the tab.
What would you do? Just pay and be done? Call my insurance? There is no police report. And I am sure my insurance will go up if I submit this. Is it worth just begrudgingly paying the $900 and going on my merry way?
Last edited: