So it finally happened. I got into an accident. I was entering my school's parking structure, when another car was coming up from the side to exit, and wham, he (turns out it was one of the teachers from my school) hit my car from the side. It was a low speed collision so it wasn't too bad. His license plate area looks fucked up, and the side of my car has a big dent in it. Here are the pics.







I have some questions.

#1 - My passenger side door doesn't open now. it barely goes 1/4 of the way, so it's practically useless. I stopped by a body shop, and they said just to get the door to open will be 45 dollars. Do you guys think that's a fair estimate?

#2 - Now when I drive, I get a lot of wind noise from the passenger door. Is there anything I can do about it, without it costing me an arm and a leg?

Lastly, my mom came 5 minutes later and was freaking out. I don't know whose fault it was, and we just exchanged information. My mom was yelling at me to go get my senior portrait taken, and to let her handle this. so I left and now I dont know what my mom and the teacher discussed, so I don't know what's going to happen. If I report this to my insurance company, will this increase my rate? Should I call him and ask what we should do now? I'm confusedddd.

 

when i was in cali (and had mercury insurance), they stated that any accidents in parking lots/garrages put both parties at fault

 

is that a mazda 626??

 

Its an old Toyota Camry.

 

1988 Toyota Camry. The car that hit me was a Mazda 626 though lol.

 

itll buff out

 

you could always tell your insurance that your mom was driving

 

All they need to do for you to get the door open is put a slid hammer (I think thats what it's called) in between the door and fender and pull the fender out just a little I'm sure. Same thing happened to a buddy of mine. We knew the body shop owner so... My buddy drove the truck in the shop, a body guy grabbed his slide hammer, a couple of hits later and we were out the door. 10mins tops. $45 is but rape. Then again, if you don't "know" anyone, you might have to fork it over.

Slide hammer:

 

I don't know anyone , guess I'll have to fork it over.

BTW, if my car starts heating up when I'm using the A/C what could be wrong? I'm talking about the hot cold gauage in the dash.

 

You might call a tool rental shop and see how much it would cost to rent one. You could probably use it right there in their parking lot. Either that, or find someting else you can hook onto the back of the fender (in the door and fender gap) and pound it carefully towards you to pull it out a bit. You just have to get those panels lined back up (or the fender a littel further out than the door) and the door should open just fine.

Idea: unbolt fender, remove it from car, take rubber mallet and pound fender out a bit. reinstall fender, check for door clearance, repeat if ncessary. Done.

 

ya.. yur insurance would go up if you report it... especially since u are a young driver