Genesis get damaged @ REPAIR SHOP while getting fixed...

[jasonsw]

Here's what happened...

11/14 - A moronic driver crosses double-yellow lane to make U-Turn and hits my car traveling on No. 1 lane near narrow streets of downtown LA.

metal piece from front bumper rubs into driver-side tire making it unable to drive home; reported to Insurance and towed away.

11/16 - brought to the shop on Monday afternoon.

11/19 - Calls Insurance again after not hearing back...

11/24 - 9-days after accident Insurance Inspector come out.

12/3 - @ 1 p.m. Contacts the SHOP to check up on status. the owner seemed 'irritated' and wanted to hang up so quickly. The SHOP OWNER is my dad's friend's SON... So I asked how Thanksgiving was and how his trip was up north...

1 HOUR LATER @ 2 p.m. I take my lunch break to go see my car and retrieve my sunglasses and garage key to work.

LOOK WHAT I WALKED INTO... I thought I was gonna faint...

awaiting front bumper

So, what would YOU do in this situation? I am so upset that the SHOP OWNER did not notify me of this matter even when I called 1-hour earlier. And the fact that I've known this guy for so long makes me even more angry.

Having Lawyer involved would cause drama and even if I 'win' the big chunk would goto lawyer anyway.

The initial accident was not my fault, yet I have to 'suffer' with impala rental for 3 weeks now and i bought the car new in 01/2009. So, why do I have to be 'out of luck' to be stuck with this car with damage to the front and rear now?

i know i may be asking much, but i want to have him buy my car so that I can buy a new Genesis. I love Genesis... Once a car is at a shop, you trust it's in good hand...

Please advise...

 

[jasonsw]

BEFORE

How funny, another Genesis parks next to my car while in VEGAS in a DISABLED PARKING SPACE!!! with NO PLACARD! lol. haha.

Wilshire Blvd near downtown LA where accident happened.

 

[QQ007]

It is absolutely heart broken to see those pictures. Especially the one showing damage at the rear.

If I were you, I would offer a chance for the shop to replace (not repair) the trunk for you. If they do not think it is their responsibility to repalce the trunk. I would file a property damage with the police and report the incident to your insurance company. Let the insurance, the shop and the police to work it out. In the end, I think your insurance company will pay for the repair (not replace) your trunk. Of course, take your Genny to another bodyshop to have the trunk reparied.

 

[Rich GV70]

.

Having Lawyer involved would cause drama and even if I 'win' the big chunk would goto lawyer anyway.

Please advise...

Oh, man. That's horrible. I'm not a lawyer, but my suggestion - get a lawyer. At the very least he/she will let them know your serious and get them off their a__es. At worst, if they refuse to do anything, you've got someone ready to move quickly. Watch out, your insurance may stop paying the rental soon.

 

[Dimitry]

One thing I learned the hard way, is to always take pictures of your vehicle at drop-off, and do a thorough look through at pick up to see if there is any damage upon return. This goes for any rental/loaner scenarios, too.

In your situation, try to look around the shop to see so-high piece with visible damage on them that looks as if they backed your Genesis into it - it would be an easy fix then. Aside from that, police report and insurance is the best you can do if the owner doesn't do anything.

What did you do after you noticed the damage? did you confront the owner? What was his reaction?

 

[jwaters943]

Like the other poster said, definitely make sure they replace (and not repaint) the trunk and have another body shop check it over once they're done. If they give you some BS about not being able to match the paint or other lame excuses tell them you'll turn the matter over to your insurance agency and possibly the police. That's shady of them not to even tell you about it.

That REALLY sucks....your poor Gen!

 

[ASHDUMP]

First and foremost, I don't think you need a lawyer for the reasons you have insurance. One of two things happened here...

1. The towing company damaged the car, or;
2. The body shop damaged it.

Both of them have insurance as well so someone will pay for it. Not you.

Also, and I'm no auto body expert, but it almost looks to damaged to repair. Looks like you will need an brand new trunk.

Did a forklift run into it or something? Good luck and let us know what happens. I'm interested in this one.

 

[Galbi]

I would make sure to have the insurance agent's report in hand if the shop owner tries to deny the fault was his shop. Having that piece would help you have the upper hand if things turn into a legal issue.

Personally, I would tell the owner to fix the car at his expense because the damage was not there when you handed over the car. If he disagrees, then take legal action with the copy of the insurance report and sue him.

I dont care if it is someone you knew for 20 years, when it comes to DAMAGING someones property and refusing to fix it, legal action must be taken.

 

[LLT]

I feel for you.

I would go get the car immediately and take it to a proper shop. Just looking at the shop including the sanding dust all over everything, is a good indication to me he's one step away from being a shadetree body shop tech. I wouldn't do or say anything else until the car is out of there.

Assuming you have one of the big name insurers, the adjuster will understand and will assist you in getting the vehicle to another shop. Insist that the shop owner purchase a NEW deck lid... do not let him fill the old one and do not let him paint the new one (something tells me this guy doesn't have a proper spray booth.) Take the deck lid to the new shop and have them spray it at the same time that they do the bumper.

The good news is, that should be a relatively easy color to match and while it may not seem like it - the damage is minimal and if you take it to a good shop, you won't even be able to tell.

Good luck - sorry about what seems to be a terrible streak of luck.

 

[Mark_888]

There is no way you can force the shop to purchase your car and buy you a new one, although I am not sure what price you expect them to pay for it.

That would be like demanding that every person who ever caused a traffic accident be forced to buy the car they damaged. That is not something that you can make happen, even if you have OJ's lawyers.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[jasonsw]

Whoa, thank you all for the suggestions and feedbacks. you guys rock!

To CLARIFY, the tow truck DID NOT damage my TRUNK. Tow truck, did however, damage my front bumper pretty badly, but then again, it's being replaced with NEW one anyway...

TRUNK is PUNCTURED beyond repair; must be replaced with NEW. RIPPED OPEN, GASH, hole through the metal as if you can fit 5-7 CD altogether...


This BODY SHOP is not too big and shares an alley way with a WAREHOUSE. At the WAREHOUSE many big and mid size trucks come and go unload and load.

According to the SHOP OWNER, "the truck was parked and started to roll"



Initially the SHOP OWNER said, "let's hope the truck driver has an insurance." and I was like, WTH?

Today, the SHOP OWNER said that he talked to the truck driver and his company and will get the NEW TRUNK.


Many tell me not to let insurance know of this TRUNK incident as it will only go on my record and will be of "RISK FACTOR"

How do you feel?

 

[Mark_888]

Many tell me not to let insurance know of this TRUNK incident as it will only go on my record and will be of "RISK FACTOR"

How do you feel?

I have no idea if they would hold that against you, but if your insurance company does not have to pay for a repair, I don't understand why you would even consider telling them, whether or not they held it against you.

 

[ASHDUMP]

First of all it was a non moving insurance claim. If anything, the other guys insurance premium would go up and he is trying to avoid it. If wants to pay for it with cash out of pocket it is up to him. If the damage is around $800 to $1000 is might be worth paying out of pocket and not going through insurance. I would get a license plate number of the truck along with as much information you can get on the guy. Telephone number, home address, work address... whatever you can get.

He might have more claims depending on what kind of business the truck driver is in and wants to avoid another strike on his premium.

 

[knight]

Insurance company rules and laws can be quite different. If you are worried about telling your insurance company, then I would suggest you have the wrong insurance company and/or agent.

Even if the other party has told you they will cover the damages on their insurance, until your issue is resolved you are at risk. The more time you wait prior to informing your insurance company the less likely they are to be able to help.

-knight

 

[SterlingDave]

Whoa, thank you all for the suggestions and feedbacks. you guys rock!

To CLARIFY, the tow truck DID NOT damage my TRUNK. Tow truck, did however, damage my front bumper pretty badly, but then again, it's being replaced with NEW one anyway...

TRUNK is PUNCTURED beyond repair; must be replaced with NEW. RIPPED OPEN, GASH, hole through the metal as if you can fit 5-7 CD altogether...


This BODY SHOP is not too big and shares an alley way with a WAREHOUSE. At the WAREHOUSE many big and mid size trucks come and go unload and load.

According to the SHOP OWNER, "the truck was parked and started to roll"



Initially the SHOP OWNER said, "let's hope the truck driver has an insurance." and I was like, WTH?

Today, the SHOP OWNER said that he talked to the truck driver and his company and will get the NEW TRUNK.


Many tell me not to let insurance know of this TRUNK incident as it will only go on my record and will be of "RISK FACTOR"

How do you feel?

Damn, Jason, I guess this is why they discourage our wearing sidearms. I'm glad you were able to hold it together and not explode all over the shop owner.

Good luck, hope you get your gennie back quickly.

 

[Mark_888]

Maybe there is some confusion here about the two occasions of damage:

1. original traffic accident
2. damage done while car in possession of repair shop

I am reasonably sure that you don't have to report the damage done while the car was in the possession of the repair shop to anyone. If the repair shop wants to report it to the police (if it occurred on a public street) or their insurance company, that is there decision.

Now, if the owner had personally parked the car on a public street, and told the repair shop where it is located waiting for repairs, that might be a different situation. If the repair shop told the tow truck where to put the car, then it is their responsibility (which is I am assuming is what happened).

 

[jasonsw]

Mark 888, that is out of equation as the shop somehow(?) puts all the cars inside the lot / shop since it's in downtown LA / East LA where you leave a car (like Genesis) outside, you probably won't find it the next morning or in the same condition...

Have you guys been to SKIDROW in LA?

As the timeline indicates, the car was dropped off @ the SHOP by the tow truck on Monday 11/16. This trunk damage happened, according to the SHOP OWNER, on Thursday morning 12/3.

 

[ASHDUMP]

Damn, Jason, I guess this is why they discourage our wearing sidearms. I'm glad you were able to hold it together and not explode all over the shop owner.

Good luck, hope you get your gennie back quickly.

I carry every single day. All lawful gun owners wouldn't think to use their firearm at all in a situation like this.

...however thugs and criminals would.