Dealership crashed another car into my car

[OhSeoBang]

I can only laugh at the misfortune that I've had with this car since day 1.

I brought my car into the dealership to have the front parking sensors replaced and to have a leaky window repaired. I received a call near the end of the day saying my car is ready but there has been an accident. Apparently, an employee crashed into my car while he was backing up his car. I don't know if this is true, or if someone was joyriding my car and hit another car. Anyways, my front bumper is misaligned and my right front fender is bent upwards and away from the headlight assembly. When I went to inspect the car, the service adviser said it was just a paint chip and that they will repair it. I almost fell down on the spot because the damage to the right front fender was SO obvious. The front part of the front fender was completely misaligned and lifted up! He said he didn't see it. Not to mention the front bumper is also misaligned on both the right side and left side which he also didn't see. It seems like the force was strong enough to knock the front bumper out of alignment. Anyways, I have no idea how he missed it.

I only took one picture of the paint chip, and now I'm regretting it. I'll be going back to the dealership tomorrow morning to take more pictures of the damage. I'll upload them once I take them!

The dealership said they'll push the panel back into place, but do you think I should have the entire part replaced? How about the front bumper? It has a lot of dents from where the point of collision was. Can that be repaired or should it be replaced?

 

[kpxnsfcxkp]

I can only laugh at the misfortune that I've had with this car since day 1.

I brought my car into the dealership to have the front parking sensors replaced and to have a leaky window repaired. I received a call near the end of the day saying my car is ready but there has been an accident. Apparently, an employee crashed into my car while he was backing up his car. I don't know if this is true, or if someone was joyriding my car and hit another car. Anyways, my front bumper is misaligned and my right front fender is bent upwards and away from the headlight assembly. When I went to inspect the car, the service adviser said it was just a paint chip and that they will repair it. I almost fell down on the spot because the damage to the right front fender was SO obvious. The front part of the front fender was completely misaligned and lifted up! He said he didn't see it. Not to mention the front bumper is also misaligned on both the right side and left side which he also didn't see. It seems like the force was strong enough to knock the front bumper out of alignment. Anyways, I have no idea how he missed it.

I only took one picture of the paint chip, and now I'm regretting it. I'll be going back to the dealership tomorrow morning to take more pictures of the damage. I'll upload them once I take them!

The dealership said they'll push the panel back into place, but do you think I should have the entire part replaced? How about the front bumper? It has a lot of dents from where the point of collision was. Can that be repaired or should it be replaced?

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about the accident. That really sucks!! I hope the damage isn't too big. Please upload some photos so we can see what should be done to fix it right.

 

[amartz]

Might be time to call a lawyer.

 

[OhSeoBang]

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about the accident. That really sucks!! I hope the damage isn't too big. Please upload some photos so we can see what should be done to fix it right.

Will do I can't say I've spent more than a week with my car. It's always with me for about 3 days then back at the dealership for a day, then back with me for 5 days then back at the dealership for 3 days. I miss driving it. Sigh.

 

[homeofstone]

I can only laugh at the misfortune that I've had with this car since day 1.

I brought my car into the dealership to have the front parking sensors replaced and to have a leaky window repaired. I received a call near the end of the day saying my car is ready but there has been an accident. Apparently, an employee crashed into my car while he was backing up his car. I don't know if this is true, or if someone was joyriding my car and hit another car. Anyways, my front bumper is misaligned and my right front fender is bent upwards and away from the headlight assembly. When I went to inspect the car, the service adviser said it was just a paint chip and that they will repair it. I almost fell down on the spot because the damage to the right front fender was SO obvious. The front part of the front fender was completely misaligned and lifted up! He said he didn't see it. Not to mention the front bumper is also misaligned on both the right side and left side which he also didn't see. It seems like the force was strong enough to knock the front bumper out of alignment. Anyways, I have no idea how he missed it.

I only took one picture of the paint chip, and now I'm regretting it. I'll be going back to the dealership tomorrow morning to take more pictures of the damage. I'll upload them once I take them!

The dealership said they'll push the panel back into place, but do you think I should have the entire part replaced? How about the front bumper? It has a lot of dents from where the point of collision was. Can that be repaired or should it be replaced?

First a written report should be done by the service manager as to what exactly happened, time of day, who was driving, where, and how it happened. If an employee hit your car with his personal car then the employee's insurance is responsible for making your car right again and providing you with a rental while it is being repairs. Also it may be important to know was the employee on the clock at the time of the crash. If your car was struck by a car owned by the dealership then the dealership has the responsibility. If your car was struck by a car owned by another customer's car then the dealership is responsible for damages to your car and the other customer's car.

 

[OhSeoBang]

Might be time to call a lawyer.

Oooh should I call a lawyer if things don't get fixed the way I want?

First a written report should be done by the service manager as to what exactly happened, time of day, who was driving, where, and how it happened. If an employee hit your car with his personal car then the employee's insurance is responsible for making your car right again and providing you with a rental while it is being repairs. Also it may be important to know was the employee on the clock at the time of the crash. If your car was struck by a car owned by the dealership then the dealership has the responsibility. If your car was struck by a car owned by another customer's car then the dealership is responsible for damages to your car and the other customer's car.

Crap. I should've done that. They said their service guys wasn't looking and backed up into my car. How do I demand one if they say there's no need?

 

[dareckibmw]

Feel your pain, bud.

Same thing happened to me last year when I still had my '13 Santa Fe.....
Better yet, it happened in front of my eyes! lucky for them, it was just one broken tab in my European license plate frame, no other damage, otherwise I'd have that guy ba**s hanging on my trophy wall

 

[OhSeoBang]

Feel your pain, bud.

Same thing happened to me last year when I still had my '13 Santa Fe.....
Better yet, it happened in front of my eyes! lucky for them, it was just one broken tab in my European license plate frame, no other damage, otherwise I'd have that guy ba**s hanging on my trophy wall

I would be like

The dealership told me not to report it to the insurance company and that they'll cover the damage. Is this appropriate?

 

[PMCErnie]

Your car is much too new. Talk to the owner or operations manager and ask for a new vehicle. No satisfaction? Have your lawyer ask the owner.

 

[OhSeoBang]

Your car is much too new. Talk to the owner or operations manager and ask for a new vehicle. No satisfaction? Have your lawyer ask the owner.

I've emailed the owner of the dealership before but no reply. I might have to go in person. It's a huge hassle because they are 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of me. I doubt they'll give me a new car because my car is 2012 and I bought it pre-owned from them..

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[amartz]

Your car is much too new. Talk to the owner or operations manager and ask for a new vehicle. No satisfaction? Have your lawyer ask the owner.

I would consider having it flatbedded to an independent body shop, and have them look at the damage, see if the body is warped, etc., and ask them for an estimate to fix all the damages. I don't know that I would trust the dealership to properly fix what needs fixed. Shounds like he's just gonna put a little duct tape on it, and call it fixed. It is, after all, your car, not the dealers. And if the dealership doesn't like the estimate, ask him if he'll like it better if you have your lawyer present the estimate to him, now including legal fees.

 

[homeofstone]

I would be like

The dealership told me not to report it to the insurance company and that they'll cover the damage. Is this appropriate?

Did you get that in writing. What if you want a different shop to do the repair in case the dealership may cut corners. Its ok not to report to insurance because if you do then you have to deal with diminished value. Bottom line is everything needs to be in writing.

 

[OhSeoBang]

I would consider having it flatbedded to an independent body shop, and have them look at the damage, see if the body is warped, etc., and ask them for an estimate to fix all the damages. I don't know that I would trust the dealership to properly fix what needs fixed. Shounds like he's just gonna put a little duct tape on it, and call it fixed. It is, after all, your car, not the dealers.

Oooh I think I was too nice to them. I just told them to fix it and give it back to me. They told me they use a private body repair shop that isn't located at the dealership.

Did you get that in writing. What if you want a different shop to do the repair in case the dealership may cut corners. Its ok not to report to insurance because if you do then you have to deal with diminished value. Bottom line is everything needs to be in writing.

I didn't get it in writing. I just assumed that the dealership will take responsibility and not cut corners since they are a dealership. Am I too ignorant?

 

[amartz]

Oooh I think I was too nice to them. I just told them to fix it and give it back to me. They told me they use a private body repair shop that isn't located at the dealership.

That's not a bad thing. But I would find out who the body shop is, and pay them a visit in person, and discuss the damage and what it will take to fix it. You want to make sure they are going to fix *everything*, and not cut corners. And I would seriously be worried about body and subframe alignment issues. Don't let them do a half-assed job because they are trying to make the dealership happy.

 

[OhSeoBang]

That's not a bad thing. But I would find out who the body shop is, and pay them a visit in person, and discuss the damage and what it will take to fix it. You want to make sure they are going to fix *everything*, and not cut corners. And I would seriously be worried about body and subframe alignment issues. Don't let them do a half-assed job because they are trying to make the dealership happy.

Thank you, Amartz.

How can I inspect for subframe alignments? Does that require the body panels to be removed to see if the metal structure under it has been bent?

 

[427435]

I would also contact my insurance company and ask them to send out a good adjuster to inspect and note the damage. If you have a good insurance company, they won't short-cut the repairs. At least Travelers didn't when my wife mowed down a mail box.

 

[homeofstone]

I would also contact my insurance company and ask them to send out a good adjuster to inspect and note the damage. If you have a good insurance company, they won't short-cut the repairs. At least Travelers didn't when my wife mowed down a mail box.

If this is done then it goes on carfax.

 

[OhSeoBang]

I also heard my rates would increase even if I'm not the one who caused the accident. Hopefully, the only damages were cosmetic.

Maybe I should ask the dealership for CCTV footage of the collision to judge how strong the impact force was? Or maybe I should just cool down and trust the dealership to handle everything in a professional manner? Ahhhh I don't know. I found out which body shop my dealership will bring my car to, so I'll drop by there tomorrow and ask them for their estimate on the repairs. Should I push for an entire bumper + fender replacement, or just let them bend everything back into shape?

What a way to start the new year, lol

 

[427435]

If this is done then it goes on carfax.

Not according to my insurance agent or the body shop that repaired my car.


I would, at a minimum, tell the dealer that I am considering having my insurance company fix the car and then letting them deal with the dealer's insurance company. The dealer might start acting better.

And I would prefer a hit on Carfax to a half-assed repair job----------especially if you are planning on driving it a long time.

 

[427435]

I also heard my rates would increase even if I'm not the one who caused the accident. Hopefully, the only damages were cosmetic.

Maybe I should ask the dealership for CCTV footage of the collision to judge how strong the impact force was? Or maybe I should just cool down and trust the dealership to handle everything in a professional manner? Ahhhh I don't know. I found out which body shop my dealership will bring my car to, so I'll drop by there tomorrow and ask them for their estimate on the repairs. Should I push for an entire bumper + fender replacement, or just let them bend everything back into shape?

What a way to start the new year, lol

You heard???? Mine doesn't.

Talk to your agent-------you can do that without filing a claim and see what he says.