pinocchio

someone hit my front bumper while she was baking the car without looking...

there are some scratches there...isn't that call a "press hit"
what should I do know?
If I am asking the lady for reimbursment...How much should I ask for?

is there any unforeseeable things going to happen in the future?
someone told me the bumper will actually crack about a year and half due to the hit..

What should I do now?
Please help
Thank you

KillahPro

I got hit in the rear bumper and it was torn apart. I was looking at the invoice and the bumper cap is pretty cheap more or less $200. The labor and painting is kinda stiff as they have to match the color to your vehicle. Total was roughly $800, take note that this was for a whole rear bumper replacement. Painting and labor for the whole bumper I say was roughly $400.

pinocchio

so far I have few scratches on my front bumper.
Will it really crack in the future because the water?

pinocchio

do I need to replace the whole bumper right now? or just get some reimbursement from the lady for future reference?

SEA_P5

What you need to do is post some pic's of the damage. It is very difficult to advise if we do not know the extent of the damage. A scratch to you might be actually a gouge, so any pics would really clear up any questions that we may have on your situation. Then we can advise.

Later.

KillahPro

I agree with SEA_P5. Mine has to be replaced because it was torn from the bolts down. You can go to your Mazda dealer and get an estimate. I don't think a scratch would crack your bumper open.

pinocchio

OKAY, I went to a body shop for an estimate. They told me the scratches that I have is not a big problem for "right now". However, within a one & half year or so, the bumper might start craking due to the water. He said that this will probably not start until next winter or so. And, he said that the water will go into the scratches and it will get worse and worse eventually. Is this really true?

The accident was happened within my apartment complex and I didn't report to police in that time because nothing seem damaged in that time. However, after I start to check more detail for my bumper, I actually saw these scraches right in front of my bumper. I am just so confused. I really don't know how to do. aye.

flip703

Sure hope you did get all the info from the other party. Dealers would always try to $ out of you even for minor stuffs. If there's no crack, I'll touch up the paint and it'll buy me more time.

fraay

My front bumper (well the plastic shell on the outside of the bumper, not the actual bumper) just got replaced last week.. I had a couple scratches and two or three little gouges (1cm sq).. the cost was $850 CAD including labour..

I've been having fun dealing with the police/insurance companies for the last few weeks (the other "party" got caught lying to the police and "trying" to pull of insurance fraud.. I've been having all kinds of fun!)

There are a few things that can change what you may want to do in this situation...

1-Sounds like you were in a parking lot.. if you were in your car, and the engine was turned on.. depending on where you live.. you may be 50% "at fault" as far as damages go.. regardless of it being her fault for backing in to you.. if this is the case.. you may want to just get whatever you can from her under the table and leave it at that..

2-If it isn't a 50/50 situation.. What kind of insurance do you have? Do you have replacement? Loss of use? Most insurance companies will honour the insurance you have.. if your car is a 2002 and you have replacement insurance.. get a new bumper.. remember to also ask for money for your rental car if you have loss of use insurance.. it took my shop 2 days, but they ordered the parts in and painted them before my car went in..

As for the police (and this depends on the laws where you live as well).. after my accident.. I went to the police station (the other people didn't want to) and spoke with an officer.. where I live, it is not nessisary to report an accident to the police if the estimated damages are under 1000 and there were no injuries. If you find out later that the damages are higher then you first thought, you can then report it to the police.. and not get in trouble. Check with the laws in your local area.

pinocchio

guess what? I went to a car collusion center yesterday and they told me the scrashes I have righn now is not a big deal. It won't just start craking because of the water. But they do mention that my bumper has a dent on it by looking at it on the side. And the bumper is actully kind of loose near where the lights are. Gosh, how come two places have a total different opioion?

so confused...

pinocchio

Okay, I called my insurance and filed a claim regarding this minor accident. I've asked the 3rd party for their insurance company and policy # but they are not giving me any information. So, I asked my insurance to call and handle all the problem for me. However, the 3rd party hasn't never return the phone call to my insurance company. They were the ones want me to ask my insurance to call them from the begining. What should I do now?

According to my insurance company, I can go ahead and pay my 500 deductible and get my car fixed right now under my coverage. I just don't get it why I should pay the $ to fix my car not them? I am not the one who caused this accident.

Gees, is there any quicker way I can get this over with?

PLEASE HELP

fraay

pinocchio: Your insurance company should be handling this for you.. that's why you give them money.. remember this when its time to renew..

As far as I know.. the way insurance works.. now that you have opened a claim with your insurance company.. if the other party doesn't get legally declared "at fault" your rates will increase.

I would still suggest calling a police station and talking with an officer. Explain what has happened and how the other party is refusing to co-operate. Ask if it would be advisable/possible to report the accident now or what they would suggest.

Even if you don't want to file a report, or unable to because of the amount of time that has passed, they may still be able to offer you advice on the situation.

Dawn

Pro_fan

Are there any witnesses to this? It'll be tough if it's just your word against hers.

Pics would be good evidence as well.