What wold YOU do?

[Jo060]

Yesterday morning I was rear ended at a green light...i know, i don't know how this happens either.
What happened was, I was sitting at a traffic light for a min or so, light turned green and it took about 3 seconds for the people ahead of me to start accelerating, apparently the guy (or girl. It was a transgender in the process of becoming a girl) behind me wasn't paying attention and mashed the gas, rear ending me, which made me barely tap the car infront of me. Luckily, I had my foot off the brake, and had just begun to accelerate, although the hit was pretty hard there was little to no damage (that I can see so far) to the rear bumper, just nasty flakes of yellow paint from "it's' busted ass firebird.
Anyway, I had planned on going through my insurance to have the rear repainted, but about an hour after the crash "it" called me and asked if I wanted to have s/him just pay me for the damages out of pocket instead of going through the insurance company. I let it know that the car isn't made anymore, fairly rare, and could be pretty pricey. So I got to thinking...What if I make up a quote, have it pay me, and just do the work myself. That way I can get rid of the scuff from the last time someone backed into me in a parking lot, and just pocket the rest. What do you think?

Also, off-topic...but recently my gears have been a bit crunchy, and sometimes hard to get in. Since the hit yesterday the car shifts like butter...weird?

 

[mazdaspeedp]

lol tell it to give you 5gs and call it a day

 

[BOOSTR]

You need to decide if you trust that you will get your money if you don't file a claim with either the OP carrier or yours. You were hit from behind so its not your fault and your carrier will go after the other person for any damages paid out to you, including your deductible.

 

[HighSpeed]

I have ran into this before. Some people are at the brink of losing coverage because of accidents and will do anything to not have to pay, which this sounds like to me. Others would rather not deal with the hassle and pay out of pocket. My wifes cousin hit our MSP with his truck in the driveway, he was one accident away from losing coverage, and he paid full amount to have a new door and paint matched, it was $1200.

You may want to at least get an estimate on the work to see what it will cost, then add some to that for the trouble it caused you. Just be careful.

 

[will6946]

^^^what he said

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

I would get a quote from a body shop to fix it. then give him the quote and if he gives you Green money (I would not take a personal check or anything) I would take the money and either have the body shop fix it or do what you would like to do.

 

[HighSpeed]

Yeah get cash so that there is no way to track anything later. From what it sounds like, he will only owe you a few hundred dollars

 

[Ricktalife]

I wouldn't wait too long to settle it cause if you do end up goin through the insurance they will wonder what took you so long to call. lol maybe I'm just paranoid.

 

[FlowMSP]

I had the same thing happen to me, girl rear ended me at a stop light (stopped too). Chipped a small small spot on the bumper, she wanted to have her dad fix it but the guy ran a tint shop not a body shop. I ended up asking for $100 and got it in cash. Worked out for me, although the money went right to bills instead of my tattoo =(.

 

[Outlawstar98]

Find the best body shop in your area and get a quote (due to it being more) And get them to pay. Dont Lie about how much it is. Thats just a dick thing to do.

 

[Jo060]

Thanks for the input.
I will definitely make sure it gives me cash.
The Mazda here in Tampa has a pretty good collision center. I was thinking of getting a quote from then, then coming back to...s/him

I wouldn't feel too bad about asking for more than it's worth. It didn't even get a ticket, and didn't learn from it's mistake.

 

[thecrash91]

Thanks for the input.
I will definitely make sure it gives me cash.
The Mazda here in Tampa has a pretty good collision center. I was thinking of getting a quote from then, then coming back to...s/him

I wouldn't feel too bad about asking for more than it's worth. It didn't even get a ticket, and didn't learn from it's mistake.

and it (s)hit doesnt like the price you give call dat insurance company ASAP!

 

[BOOSTR]

But you might learn from yours by trusting a total stranger to pay you for damages. When its not your fault take the time to get a police report or crash report. Otherwise you may find yourself in a case of he said/she said with no other proof than your statement.

I personally would not give a rats ass if the person who hit me was going to be ticketed or cancelled/non-renewed. They probably don't even have valid insurance, let alone cash to pay for your inflated estimate.

Good luck with that.

 

[Jo060]

I hear what you're saying. But I'd make sure to get the cash before I make repairs. As far as I see it, I have the carrot over its head. If it doesn't like the amount I came up with, I have no problem going through USAA

 

[GreezyG]

Whenever your in an accident... call the cops 100% of the time...ALWAYS! It's too easy for things to turn into a he said/she said game.

It's not YOUR fault if they have been in too many accidents or have warrants for tickets for something. If you let it slide your just letting them screw you over...

That's just my $.02

 

[geomatics_tech]

As far as I see it, I have the carrot over its head.

Thats the thing, get a police report filed and then you are in control cause if you wait to long hes got you bent over. Hahahaha

 

[Jo060]

Indeed. Had one filed right after the accident. Actually, the Sheriff that came was my DI from the Sheriff academy. Small world

 

[HighSpeed]

Wait......you a sheriff's deputy?..........

 

[Jo060]

...Almost.