STORY:
So I got sideswiped a month ago when I was on the far left turn lane and someone one the #1 lane decided to make a left instead and came right into my rear right side... He then proceeded to speed off while I kept honking at him. after I caught up to speed i forced him off the road and into a gas station where i cut him off before he could jump out the other exit and eventually boxed him in. after i got out of my car and rushed him and him being scared, got out and ran to his passenger side while telling me " Im sorry I hit you, it was an accident, calm down." and im pretty sure anyone who just hit would feel the same anger I was... So after he got a mouthful from me I took down his info and then things turned. he snatched everything back and sped off saying "i didnt hit you" to me that pissed me off even more, and since I worked within the local sheriff's dpt, we went down to his house and took a report while making him look like a dumbass in front of his whole family/neighbors...

QUESTION:
my insurance estimated the repair cost is going to be $650 at the shop they recommended. but other mechanics have told me it would be around $1500 to fix. its been about a month now and since I can choose my shop to repair, i'd trust my mechanic more for the $1500 fix. but CA state laws say that i must notify within 7-10 days if the damage totals $750 and up. what should i do? just fix it for the $650? or can i do it from my mechanic for $1500 and notify DMV then?

 

Doesn't the state law clarify? 7-10 days from what? The accident or the repair date?

 

Another dumbass taken down the hard way. Another great story from the 3G TL section.

Go with the $1500 repair! You are not at fault and you have the option of deciding what mechanic to go to. Just make sure you or your mechanic sends the bill to your insurance company. As for the SR1 form that needs to be filed, this is one of those cases where it hasn't been decided whether damages exceed $750 and can be filed (by your insurance agent) later.

http://insurance.freeadvice.com/info...uto/article/80

 

thanks! oh yea i forgot to mention when we did our door knock he opened the door and snatched him in cuffs to the backseat

 

Wow, hell of a story....

 

his insurance covers it not your. Why would you ask your ins company at all? take it where you want and his ins co will get the bill. If you waiting to get if fixed screws you......bumber.

 

I have AAA and they will handle your case for you if you dont want the hassle. It's what i've always done even if the accident is not my fault. Technically you're not even supposed to admit fault (even if it really was) at the scene and let insurance deal with it. Different strokes I guess.

to contact the other party's insurance directly, hopefully they admitted fault. But he could easily change the story to his insurance (as he has done in person) to say you cut him off.

+1 for another reason why we need to start video taping our drives. This is getting ridiculous w/ people being lying a-holes.

 

Didn't you say you and the cops went to this person's home? LOL

This story isn't making sense.... hopefully they admitted fault? what in the name of what is holy to you is a police report for? Why didn't you make this a hit and run when this guy is trying to flee... you are making this a lot harder for yourself or you are just clueless to how the system works; not to be rude. But all of this isn't adding up in my head.. maybe you should get some more accurate details on the whole situation. Looks like you are about to cost yourself a lot of money after someone just hit your car, which doesn't add up

 

The last three posts don't make sense.

@Anavrin351: You need to report to your insurance company regardless who's at fault (if you want to repair your car). jkopuffs' insurance company serves as an intermediary because that is what they are paid to do and they know how to do the job right. They will make sure the party at fault will be responsible for the bill.

@ez12a: The OP did not admit fault, the person who caused the accident and ran admitted to the fault, but decided to try and run after he did. There is more than enough evidence to prove that the guy who ran is at fault simply because the OP had his address. Paint scratches/markings on the car are enough as well and i'm sure that he probably sh*tted his pants when he saw the cops at his door and admitted without resistance. Since the OP is already talking about selecting a repair shop, i'm assuming that the claim is in his favor.

@TrustinHFDJ: Ignore the other two post above you and it'll make sense. The OP works within the sheriff's office so saying he doesn't understand the system is mistaken.

This is another great story. Maybe the OP could update us on what he did with the offender and clear up some holes in the story (causing the confusion).

 

Since I got the person who swiped me to stop it isnt going to be a hit-n-run case. We went to his house so I could file my property damage report. We took video/pictures of his WHITE BMW and of my BLACK TL. it was more than obvious he hit me. While questioning him he claimed to have forgotten what happened and said "I dont remember hitting him" he was either still in shock or just wanted to play stupid. either way his insurance is for sure going to pay for my repairs. i just needed clarification on if I need to notify the DMV or not.

 

Once you put in a claim with insurance thats its, nothing more on your part. Insurance will take care of everything from there on. They will call you to get your side of the story so they can get it on record, but thats it.

 

Any time a Police Report is taken the DMV will be notified by the police of the circumstances, and the detailed report. They are the ones who set up the points on your record, which then is later reported to the insurance agencies to adjust your monthly premium. Just for the future, and know the answer if any one asks you. You can report it to your insurance any time, it makes no difference. If it is not your fault even better. They cannot just raise your premium till your points vary on DMV record; as mentioned above. Which means it will happen when it's gona happen aint nothing could be done to change it. Do not be scared.

 

Oh and you got this in the bag, go to the highest quality shop and get it fixed. You deserve it. Keep us updated man, we can help you further. You should take whatever money they give you,if it will be a BS repair shop, and put a little more on top of that for the better work and quality.

 

thanks for the info! i plan on scheduling repairs soon!

 

Wow thats crazy.

 

The body shop makes sure they get paid, not the insurance company who has no money involved themselves. They only get involved if the at fault partys insurance doesnt pay, then they pay the shop to release your vehicle (after you pay your deductable) and then go after their money. If they get it, you get your deductable re-embursed.

I have been hit a few times and never gave the other person my info or notified my insurance company. BBB keeps most ins. companys strait with small claims like this, most of the time that is.

 

I guess there are different methods when it comes to an accident. I have state farm and we are required to notify them when we are in an accident. They handle all the details. They either pay directly to the mechanic or write me a check after they have a guy check the vehicle. I've never had a deductible reimbursed. Usually, you have to pay your deductible regardless of whomever is at fault (it's agreed upon whenever you use your insurance for damages, you pay a portion aka the deductible).

 

you only pay a deductable if your at fault. i have never paid out of pocket when someone else was at fault. if my insurance company told me to pay them my deducable when i was hit i would tell the to suck it. when i was at fault, i had to pay a deductable to get my vehicle fixed.

 

Dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life.

 

Well even Anavrin says you have to pay your deductible and if you are not found to be at fault, you get reimbursed, so how is that dumb and why aren't you quoting him as well?

Dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life.

 

no re-read it.

 

Enlighten me.

 

I think I get it. I should've said "You have to pay your deductible if they cannot determine the person at fault" and once they determine the person at fault, you will get your deductible reimbursed.

 

Love this story. Hate dishonest scumbags that will try to evade you. When I was in my younger teens, this guy rear ended me and at the time I didn't know any better. I just got his info and let him go. From the time of the accident to the time I had my car fixed, he would avoid my phone calls and avoid meeting up but when we actually spoke, he played mr.niceguy like he was my friend. All I gotta say is, get as much money as you can from him and get your car done right.

 

LOL dude, you report that shit to your insurance; and then they get at his insurance. If he has no insurance, then you get to sue him for all the damage. The only time you are screwed over is if he works under the table.

That is why, lesson to be learned, if they do not have insurance YOU MUST CALL THE POLICE.

NO INSURANCE = MUST HAVE POLICE REPORT.

So that when you sue them, that is your evidence. No long story, drama, witnesses, subpena's or any of that waste of life.