First scratch on my '09, I was hit!

[beemerphile1]

Driving home from work yesterday some fine gentleman pulled out of a store lot and ran into me. I came to a dead stop and laid on the horn to no avail, he just kept coming without looking. He was looking the other direction! You may be able to see from the picture that he was pulling out of the store, crossing the main street, and intending on turning into the side street. Because of that he was crossing the main street at an angle and drug his front fender, front door, rear door, and rear fender across the corner of my Vibe before stopping.I took delivery in August and now it is damaged. He claims to have insurance. The obvious damage is to the bumper, headlight, fender, and probably some brackets and whatnot underneath the bumper. Any advice?

[bull77]

that sucks -- hopefully it works out with his insurance. I had a similar thing happen to my 6 month old vibe in a gas station parking lot. Buddy was backing out and bumped my front bumper -- guess he didn't hear the Vibe horn either

[lovemyraffe]

Let the insurance do their job. If he was at fault, his insurance should have to pay. Glad you are ok.

[northvibe]

I now call the police with any car accident. I dont need to deal with flaky people. You got his insurance info right? Just call your insurance, give them his info and a statement and they will take care of it..thats why you pay them

[beemerphile1]

Strange thing about the police report. We called the police and did not move until he got there and surveyed the scene.We exchanged info and the police officer took me aside. He asked me if I wanted him to make out a report and stated that if he made a report, he would be obligated to issue a citation to the other driver. My statement was that I felt the other driver earned the issuance of a poor driving award. I have had other accidents where the at fault driver tried to deny responsibility after the fact to their insurance company. The police report and citation provides me protection in case that happens.

[808 Vibes]

Oh no!!! What a stupid donkey! Glad you are OK and hope she gets fixed soon.

[djkeev]

The first scratch is always the toughest, the first dent is always painful.You got them both over and done with in one glorious move! Congrats. It will all be easier from here forward.Now you only have to live with and endure the fact that the repainted parts don't match the original color of the car!! Oh, they probably will at first but a year or two down the road they probably won't.Glad no one was hurt, that's really all that matters.Dave

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev »The first scratch is always the toughest, the first dent is always painful.Very true, but don't worry, that should buff right out. But really, it all depends on how hard he hit you if there will be any other damage, pop the hood and take a look, it just might be superficial.

[TONY TAT2]

That sucks ! Glad your ok,the other drivers insurance will pay your deductable.

[star_deceiver]

Ouch!!! Hope insurance come through!

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »...the other drivers insurance will pay your deductable.Pay my deductible? They better pay the whole darn thing! Talked to the other drivers insurance and initiated a claim. He is covered, thank goodness! He had not reported the accident yet as of 3:00 PM. Of course they did not immediately accept responsibility but I don't see where they'll have a choice.Got an estimate after work of $2,241.23. Breaks down as;parts - 1,256.96labor - 744.22additional costs - 240.05The major items are;headlight - 260.68bumper cover - 331.29fender - 315.00bumper impact bar, impact absorber, and cover support - 273.27

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by beemerphile1 »Of course they did not immediately accept responsibility but I don't see where they'll have a choice.They never do, but don't forget to send them those pics, it'll help as well.

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE »...don't forget to send them those pics, it'll help as well.Aren't camera phones great? I always have a camera with me now unless I forget my phone.

[Airmack]

it is all ways crazy to see how much things cost. the car does not look that bad yet they have to replace all that. crazy

[TONY TAT2]

When I picked up my G5 from the body shopI had to pay the 1k deductable even tho the other driver was at fault. Then my insurance co reibursed me when I signed the release from the body shop.

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »When I picked up my G5 from the body shopI had to pay the 1k deductable even tho the other driver was at fault. Then my insurance co reibursed me when I signed the release from the body shop.I don't understand that, is NJ a no-fault state? Here In Ohio the at-fault driver is responsible for everything. Except I just got off the phone with his insurance company (Permanent General Assurance Corporation) and there is a new twist!The SOB did NOT have a valid insurance policy! The adjuster informed me that a payment was made just after the time of the accident but the policy had been canceled prior to the accident.Now I have to contact my insurance (Nationwide) and get them involved. I'm covered through my own insurance but deadbeats really P___ me off! People that don't have insurance and do not or will not pay their own way are parasites on society!

[ou.grizzly]

Sorry about your Vibe getting hit, good news no one was hurt. Keep us updated on how the repair goes as there may be a delay on parts per another thread.

[beemerphile1]

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »...I had to pay the 1k deductable even tho the other driver was at fault...Okay, now I get it. My insurance company says they will pay to fix my car and I will have to pay my deductible. My insurance will then reimburse me if and when they can collect from the deadbeat, uninsured, bum.Vibe is scheduled to go in the shop on Monday 2/8/2010

[09Vibe]

It may seem like alot of $ to fix but the facia and foam assembly behind it are all energy absorbing material and part of the structural safety in front of the bumper. Once you take a bump like that it should all be replaced rather then just the front facia being repaired. Trust the dealer on this one.

[vibolista]

Sorry that you got that scratch. I'm not 100% sure, but I think paints are better at retaining their color and are better matched in the first place now. My wife's van had it's rear hatch caved in by a careless driver backing out of a parking space a few years ago,( 2004 I think ). Anyway, I never thought that the paint repair would match or stay the same color after a few years of wear and sun. But you still can't tell it had a new hatch and paint. Hope it turns out good! That's a nice color, too.

[beemerphile1]

Work has started, the body shop has a website where they post pictures during the repairs. The shop didn't have any trouble getting the parts.

[star_deceiver]

Nice to see repairs are progressing!Now... What is this for/what does it do???

Attached files

[Airmack]

I was going to guess washer fluid reservoir, but it looks way to big for that.

[beemerphile1]

That caught my eye also. Beats me what it is. It appears very close to the tire.Since I haven't had the car very long and the only work I've done to it is add a hitch and wiring, I am not very familiar with it.

[star_deceiver]

On my car it sounds hollow, no fluid in it. It's not the washer resevoir as that's on the other side...Hmmmmmm...

[dgekiere]

i am pretty sure it is an air baffle for the intake, i got the front end apart on a wrecked project car right now... its funny though i thought the the same thing when i got the bumper off.

[beemerphile1]

Work is coming along. Picture is not very good but the painting is obviously being done. New fender is in the picture so we can assume the new front bumper cover is also on.

[Jharrison]

That is your coolant over flow tank. I had some similar damage to my car as you can see by the photo. The tank on your other side is the washerfluid http://i953.photobucket.com/al...0.jpg

[star_deceiver]

The coolant overflow is right behind the washer fluid opening on the passenger side