Got hit yesterday...

[Edmond]

We had a big snowstorm yesterday that was pretty nasty and unexpected. Someone in an Escort was coming down our street and I think she said to the police that she didn't have her headlights nor windshield wipers on. :ugh

She was heading west and our Yukon was parked in the street facing east and the Vette' in the driveway at the end. Long story short, she hits the driver side passenger door (it's a 4 door) on the Yukon and swipes the rear end of the Vette' in the driveway.

It's only cosmetic damage and we both have the same insurance company so I hope it won't be long. I'm going to request to have the whole vehicle painted because the color just won't match. From what I've seen, it also looks like the muffler hanger was knocked out of place or disfigured.

You know you're damned when your $4,000 car hits an expensive SUV and Corvette that causes extensive cosmetic damage. :cry I don't think her insurance company is going to keep her after they pay off this incident.

 

[rrubel]

Man, that sucks... You could also say you're damned when one accident takes out BOTH of your vehicles...
[RICHR]

 

[RedRagTop]

Ouch!

 

[vee93]

Well that just sucks!!!!! What in the world was she doing in that Escort to lose control like that and pinball off the SUV then into the Vette? At least she's insured AND didn't do hit-n-run.

Make sure you get the Vette up on a lift and look behind the rear bumper. Hopefully the damage to the Vette is only cosmetic. Good luck with the repairs.

 

[Randy Eads]

Edmond, I deal with insurance companys frequently on H.O. casualties and I can assure you that their losses (this claim) are factored in .... don't comprimise on your settlement.

But as others already said ... ouch!!!

 

[Edmond]

I looked underneath the vehicle at the Flowmasters and one of the tips is bent at the base so I'm going to request new Flowmasters as well.

I kind of feel bad for her because State Farm is going to ream her a few more but that's the price you pay for driving irresponsibly.

I made sure to take plenty of pictures. I took pictures of the Vette up close, from the side to prove that it wasn't sticking it's butt out in the street, the Yukon, the police cruiser at my house taking the report, her front bumper with the white paint on there from the Vette'.

 

[Eric]

Bummer dude! At least no one was hurt. Same insurer should make it smoother to work through at least. Good luck!

- Eric

 

[MsSchroder]

I made sure to take plenty of pictures. I took pictures of the Vette up close, from the side to prove that it wasn't sticking it's butt out in the street, the Yukon, the police cruiser at my house taking the report, her front bumper with the white paint on there from the Vette'.

Smart thinking!

I'm sorry to hear about the accident.

Tammy

 

[Vettefan87]

That sucks, but at least she didn't crack the bumper or do any kind of structual damage. I hope you get it all worked out. Good luck.


Justin

 

[Mad-Mic]

damn man sorry to see that happen to you! it'll work out.

Mic

 

[WhalePirot]

Sorry pal. This does SUCK. (I just went through this)

didn't crack the bumper or do any kind of structual damage.

Not necessarily true. There is an energy absorbing bumper and shocks underneath that flex bumper that could well be damaged, despite the exterior seemingly having only paint damage.

You have the right to have your car restored to at least the condition it was in before THEIR insured hit your cars. You are not at all at fault as you were not even in either car which were parked legally. You have the right to take the car to any shop you wish for repair and are NOT required to use the 'recommended' shop. My experience with such was HORRIBLE on my Vette, despite the lifetime guarantee. I don't want those SOBs to touch my car again!

I would insist on new mufflers, not a rework of the bent parts. I have accepted used parts, because my car WAS used and I trusted MY BODYSHOP's expertise in judging quality parts.

Be careful of the crappy imported replacement metal body parts of the Yukon. They are thinner and rust easily and quickly. You do not have to accept anything but genuine, new parts, unless that is what you want. I had State Farm act surprised when I insisted that my rear plate frame be replace, not reworked.

I suggest your attitude should be that you (truthfully) had no hand in this accident, but it will cost you a LOT of time and inconvenience, which you expect to be compensated for. You can ease down from there, if you wish. I do and have, if the adjuster is reasonable and not trying to screw me.

State Farm has a pretty good reputation in settling. Just be firm and ensure the body shop knows Corvettes and does first class work, unless you wish to accept less.

Remember what you had and what now, you have to deal with. You seem like such a nice, easygoing guy. I suggest nails in your shoes or BVDs when talking to the adjuster.

 

[MyOtherCar]

Hmmm, sorry to hear of your accidnet and feel bad for you. BUT..... don't get your hopes up too high. The Flowmasters might not be covered because they are not original equipment. And I am pretty sure the insurance company will balk at an entire auto repaint as the fading of the paint is considered normal wear and tear. On the other hand, if you go to a good paint shop, they can match the paint just about perfectly, especially a downward panel. You can demand a lot of things, but the bottom line is what they are willing to repair. Anything beyond that will probably involve a claims court for damages from the driver. Lots of luck!

 

[vetteboy86]

That is just terrible. I know how you feel, a couple of years ago I was sitting in a parking lot, and some dumbass kid whipped into the spot next to me. I was parked in the last row, with not cars for three spots on either side. He side swiped the passenger side of my car. I almost lost my cool, but in the long run the damage was fixed. Just hang in there, plenty of time before spring.


Craig

 

[Vettefan87]

Not necessarily true. There is an energy absorbing bumper and shocks underneath that flex bumper that could well be damaged, despite the exterior seemingly having only paint damage.

Maybe I misunderstood him, but I thought he said he looked underneath it and didn't see anything damaged only cosmetics, and I don't think that the structual supports behind the bumper would be damaged and the bumber not even be cracked considering how flimsy plastic they are.


Justin

 

[Edmond]

Pirot,

There was a piece of black plastic that was laying beside the car. I don't know much about that part of the Vette' but I'm having the body shop check it out.

Just got the repair quote for the Yukon and it's $3,000 and that doesn't include some problems such as the electrical ones that I noticed after driving it. The gas gauge was jumping a little and the dome light would flash occassionally when the passenger door was opened.

As for the Flowmasters, I don't understand what original equipment has to do with anything in terms of a settlement. I mean, if my car was repainted before and the lady hits it, does that mean that I can't get it repainted by my insurance company if the paint isn't original?

I just know that my car was hit and it was a good thing that my father wasn't getting in the car at that moment because he was just a few minutes away from getting in to go out. If he was there trying to get in, he would've gotten hit by that Escort and smashed against the Escort and SUV.

I should be able to get an estimate for you guys and what repairs they're going to make. You guys should let me know if those figures are acceptable since you guys have gone through things like this before.

 

[motorman_mp3]

I,m a cop and I think it should be a felony to hit a vette any vette.(Ha Ha Ha) Sorry to see that happen.

 

[WhalePirot]

just my experience, FWIW

Justin: With a look underneath, bumper cover attached, it is not possible to see damage to the energy absorbing parts, especially as untrained observers. The bumpers are flexible, not really flimsy. The bumper paint has a supposedly-color-neutral flex agent added, which has been described to me by a Dupont store as being effective for six months.

I think the color of the eggcrate bumper beneath is gray. I would expect a competent body shop to know what is broken and damaged without pieces found at the scene. Wouldn't hurt to hand that black part to them, though.

As to the Flowmasters and paint: My Vette settlement involved painting much of the car under the insurance, but it had an aged paint job. I paid extra to have that entire car painted, but on another car the paint was expertly blended to match. This is negotiable between reasonable people with expert input (hopefully) on your behalf, from the shop. It is also an area where having an independent (non-preferred) shop can be an advantage, as they are looking at the repair more from a standpoint of satisfying you alone, not trying to please their repeat business; the insurance company.

A friend recently totalled my Pathfinder, in Alaska. I was paid for replacement of equipment I had added to the vehicle, based upon replacement cost. The Flowmasters might fall in that area.

Remember, you had no fault in this, but will spend many hours trying to get your vehicles back to the condition they were in, not better, before their insured rudely entered your life.

I really doubt you will need an attorney, which might end up costing you needless money, as long as you are reasonable, yet firm.
mike

 

[vetteboy86]

I have not really known the bumpers on the C4 to crack. If I am not mistaken the materail is of urethane type. I know that when my was hit back there it didn't crack, but it tore. So with that said, and I know it was pointless, I hope all works out for the best.

Craig

 

[Edmond]

The bumper did not crack, looks like it's down to it's raw color of the material. They're going to come out on Monday and do an estimate. I think things should go pretty quickly because it's the same insurance company and I've been pretty up to date on it. If it takes longer, that won't be too much of a problem because it won't rust and the car is still mechanically okay.

 

[WhalePirot]

I would expect that to be a preliminary estimate with adjustments likely (and very common; called supplements, I think) once the body shop gets inside. I know of no real way to measure how much the shocks were compressed when the car was hit, despite the urethane springing back. The shop that 'repaired' mine sent the bumper cover out to a specialty shop for stripping and any repair, but I believe they painted it.

I DO know that they hung the exhaust system improperly and the tips burned the new paint on the bumper. They also did not rehang any of the wire bundles which attach to the inside of that bumper cover. I discovered it and did that properly when I changed my taillights.