When SUVs Attack :(

[CHART]

Well, like several of you, I joined the "Why can't people learn how to drive" club. I was playing hookie from work today, geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com) in beautiful downtown Alexandria VA when I decided to find some lunch and go home. As I asked my Prius to show me all local restaurants, she displayed the restaurant icons but complained that she couldn't see by bluetooth phone. Being a cautious type, I pulled over in front of a building and started troubleshooting the problem. As I was looking at the MFD, out of the top of my vision I saw somebody had gotten into the Tahoe in front of me, put it in reverse and was barrelling at me. I barely had time to lean on the horn before he hit me. No one was hurt, but as you can see form the pictures, the Prius is not doing very well. The kid admitted responsibility and gave me all of his insurance identification, drivers license, etc. He said his insurance rates are already out of control (hey maybe looking where you drive would help that) and he hopes that he can pay cash and not involve his insurance company. I called all of the local Toyota dealers to see if they have a Toyota Bodyshop nearby. They all use local bodyshops, so I'm off to my local guy. Sigh......

[Danny]

Edit: Now I see them.

Ouch, that looks like it hurt!

Danny

[Bob Allen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CHART\";p=\"45214)</div>

Well, like several of you, I joined the \"Why can't people learn how to drive\" club.  I was playing hookie from work today, geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com) in beautiful downtown Alexandria VA when I decided to find some lunch and go home.  As I asked my Prius to show me all local restaurants, she displayed the restaurant icons but complained that she couldn't see by bluetooth phone.  Being a cautious type, I pulled over in front of a building and started troubleshooting the problem.  As I was looking at the MFD, out of the top of my vision I saw somebody had gotten into the Tahoe in front of me, put it in reverse and was barrelling at me.  I barely had time to lean on the horn before he hit me.  No one was hurt, but as you can see form the pictures, the Prius is not doing very well.  The kid admitted responsibility and gave me all of his insurance identification, drivers license, etc.  He said his insurance rates are already out of control (hey maybe looking where you drive would help that) and he hopes that he can pay cash and not involve his insurance company.  I called all of the local Toyota dealers to see if they have a Toyota Bodyshop nearby.  They all use local bodyshops, so I'm off to my local guy.   Sigh......[/b]

Not to be a hard ass here, but DON'T agree to a settlement outside of your insurance company. You will lose the negotiating power that your insurance company has available. If the repair goes sour, you are out of luck. The kid needs to take responsibility for his driving. Since you were hit on the front end of your car, he could claim that you rear ended him in which case it would be considered your fault and with no witnessess, it becomes your word against his. Your insurance company can protect you (and themselves, of course) from liability arising from your being wrongly charged.
I had a similar incident where the guy wanted to settle out of insurance company reach. I was not tempted. He offered me "full access" to a repair shop he deals with, etc, etc. The actual repair cost over 900 bucks, which is probably way more than he would ever have paid to have my car fixed. Your car may have damage that is not apparant and the repair bill can be astounding.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Bob

[jimofdg]

I agree with BobA. You could be at a disadvantage if you had to prove that you weren't looking at your Nav screen. Anyway, we are here to console you, not some new driver who will learn to be more careful.

I agree with Danny also. Ouch, those pictures! Shouldn't this be in Appearance Modifications?

[rflagg]

I feel for you, accidents suck with regular cars, let alone the pain it must be for this one.

Sounds like the kid needs a back-up beeper installed in his car.

I hope your fix is quick and painless as far as the shop and insurance goes.

-m.

[bookrats]

2nd with Boba.

Specifically, years ago, I was a nice guy in a similar situation: guy merged into me on I-5, crumpled the driver door. Said he had no insurance, didn't want to raise the rates, could we go through a friend of his who does body repair?

I'm 26 and a nice guy (also naive), and so said sure. Had car worked on (VERY SLOWLY) by a 70-something mechanic in his back yard.

Job was so-so, but I realized in the middle of the process that I had very little recourse, by not reporting the problem to my insurance company and going with a "private deal", of demanding better work. (Certainly it would have led to a lot of stomach-churning arguments with the guy who hit me.)

So, my advice: stick to your guns. Frankly, if the kid is old enough to drive, he's old enough to pay for the results of his actions (or inactions.)

[CHART]

Actually, I was hoping for advice and I knew you guys would step up to the plate. The only difference so far in my experience vs. Bookrat and Boba is that I immediately went to MY body shop guy and had him write up a correct estimate following all the rules to get me back the way I was before the accident. New hood, not repaired, etc. the current estimate for "visible" dammage is > $2,000. If (and more likely when) they get in there and find more dammage, the estimate will go up.

One thing I am slightly worried about is, currently he is totally agreeable that I was standing still and he backed into me. If we involve his insurance company, what if they talk him into changing his mind? We were on a small side street and there were no witnesses. So far he is trying to step up to the plate and I am trying to not soak him unnecessarily (ensuring I have reputable good body shop, only needing a small rental car, etc.)

In any case, I'm sure it will bite me in the butt in the end. As much as I am trying to teach both of my boys to be good scouts, do a good deed daily, etc. I actually had some good news last week when a friend told me that my oldest (11) who is always grubbing for money, helped her son (8) at a town fair. Ryan helped her son get tickets for the rides and even volunteered to watch him while his mom worked at a booth with me. When the boys came back to the booth, she offered to pay Ryan for doing the things that her own high-school aged son refused to do. I didn't witness any of this, but later she told me that Ryan thanked her for the reward, but stated, "a boy scout does not accept money for doing a good deed." Sometimes, it is the things our kids do while we are not watching them that mean the most.

But back to the forum topic, it does seem that the real world does prove on a regular basis that no good deed ever goes unpunished...so...

Sigh......

[Danny]

Be sure to get those headlights checked out thoroughly. Damage to a HID headlamp can do some serious damage and greatly decrease the life of your headlamp.

Good to hear about a Boy Scout doing a good turn Eagle Scout/Vigil Honor here.

[Bob Allen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CHART\";p=\"45246)</div>

Actually, I was hoping for advice and I knew you guys would step up to the plate.  The only difference so far in my experience vs. Bookrat and Boba is that I immediately went to MY body shop guy and had him write up a correct estimate following all the rules to get me back the way I was before the accident.  New hood, not repaired, etc.  the current estimate for \"visible\" dammage is > $2,000.  If (and more likely when) they get in there and find more dammage, the estimate will go up.  

One thing I am slightly worried about is, currently he is totally agreeable that I was standing still and he backed into me.  If we involve his insurance company, what if they talk him into changing his mind?  We were on a small side street and there were no witnesses.  So far he is trying to step up to the plate and I am trying to not soak him unnecessarily (ensuring I have reputable good body shop, only needing a small rental car, etc.)  

In any case, I'm sure it will bite me in the butt in the end.  As much as I am trying to teach both of my boys to be good scouts, do a good deed daily, etc.   I actually had some good news last week when a friend told me that my oldest (11) who is always grubbing for money, helped her son (8) at a town fair.  Ryan helped her son get tickets for the rides and even volunteered to watch him while his mom worked at a booth with me.  When the boys came back to the booth, she offered to pay Ryan for doing the things that her own high-school aged son refused to do.  I didn't witness any of this, but later she told me that Ryan thanked her for the reward, but stated, \"a boy scout does not accept money for doing a good deed.\"  Sometimes, it is the things our kids do while we are not watching them that mean the most.

But back to the forum topic, it does seem that the real world does prove on a regular basis that no good deed ever goes unpunished...so...

Sigh......[/b]

You're in a tough position, for sure. If the kid's insurance company tries to talk him into changing his story, then they are party to fraud against you and your insurance company. I don't think the issue is "being a good boy scout" vs. being unreasonable. You are in a position to be taken advantage of, given that he backed into you but you could be blamed. Fill out a police report; call your agent, and do whatever you can to get the true story on record somewhere. If they come back to blame you, you have a police report stating otherwise and they risk perjuring themselves to continue
I would let your insurance company know, of course, and perhaps your agent can advise you. If the kid is willing to pay out the full cost of repaiir to your car at a reputable shop, things might work out. My guess, though, is that the kid will balk at the total cost, which is probably way higher than whatever rate increase he would pay. Then, you are back at square one.
Why do we have insurance in the first place?
Bob

[Speedracer]

Ouch, I feel you men :cry:
I just got my car back from body shop