Crash!!!!

[Zulch_AW]

Howdy,

Well probably not as bad as to need all the exclamation points but lemme tell my tale, Please photos as well.

So I'm driving about 40mph in the right lane. In the left a car decides to make a left turn stopping traffic in the left lane. Black car does not see stopped cars at the last second comes over and side swipes me. Please see "damage".

The 4R fenders aren't really even dinged, all damage just paint and a very tiny gouge. Tire got polished but un damaged. No signed of damage underneath. 4R drives fine. Passes visual inspection. Doors, windows all working. I was thorough as I could be with adrenalin and along a busy road.

I'm posting as the guy at fault did not want to make it an insurance claim and gave me $160, under the stipulation that covers body work. I can pocket the money or pay to have a shop look at it in which case if mechanical damage appears he will pay for it or I file a claim. I got all the information. I really didn't want to be a jerk about as I'm 99% sure it's fine but am unsure what to look for.

All this a real hassle. I'm wondering what possibly could have been damaged with such a minor impact but am unsure.

Any advise? I really don't want to nail the poor guy for an insurance claim and can even live with the fenders as-is if more than $160 to fix (I'm thinking of bed liner the fenders anyway…$160 should pay for that!)

Thanks,

Zulch

BTW I can't believe the driver did not even hit another car, I was imagine blood and guts, through the windshield type stuff and it all worked out….

 

[MikeFrazier]

After reading what you wrote, I say deal with it if it is more than $160. After all you are driving a 3rd gen runner, those things are beasts! Lucky for him, your compassionate toward his whole insurance situation. Most people would be sticklers for the guys money. Glad everyone is okay!

 

[8sm]

Side impacts however minor can cause alignment issues and if the cladding or fender flares need replacement.... I don't know, the alignment could eat up most of the $160 alone. I would have exchanged complete information and told him you would give him the estimate if he wanted to proceed with cash. After all he hit you and damaged your 4runner. Sometimes the cause and effect does not show right away.

Regards..... 8sm

 

[BrianSD_42]

That small dent and the scrapped flares will easily cost you over $500 to fix at a reputable shop.

I doubt insurance will place blame soley on one of you. More likely it will be shared blame.

 

[Zulch_AW]

Side impacts however minor can cause alignment issues and if the cladding or fender flares need replacement.... I don't know, the alignment could eat up most of the $160 alone. I would have exchanged complete information and told him you would give him the estimate if he wanted to proceed with cash. After all he hit you and damaged your 4runner. Sometimes the cause and effect does not show right away.

Regards..... 8sm

Thanks,

Yea this was all with the understanding no mechanical issues. I'm wondering what I can do on my own to determine any issues before I have renegotiate with him and yes I got his information, if he balks it goes to claims.

That said…It all seems fine and solid. The fact the fenders aren't even scratched save for the paint I guess tells me it was a glancing blow not solid impact.

Lights, windows, brakes, tire, rim all fine. No bent components underneath. No noises or vibrations or pulling. 4x4 works fine. Elocker engages…. I'm not sure what a shop could do that I can't at this point.

But that's why I'm posting, does a side swipe impact generally result in some sort of issue? Tomorrow I'll lift and pull the wheel off for a look and spin.

If any one has a clue of what to really look for please chime in.

Zulch

 

[Zulch_AW]

That small dent and the scrapped flares will easily cost you over $500 to fix at a reputable shop.

I doubt insurance will place blame soley on one of you. More likely it will be shared blame.

Yea..see I'm not that kind of guy. Arizona pin stripes we called 'em in Tucson. I have the peeling clear-coat and oxidized finish so in reality this is the least of my worries. Like I said too; bed liner!

I forgot to mention I have an independent witness who saw the entire incident and offered his statement if it goes that far, so I won't get any blame.

All the same the way insurance works I don't want to nail this guy for a stupid mistake. Actually it was his wife from Mexico with Mexican license, probably make more trouble than is fair.

Thx,

Zulch

 

[sggaz]

Hi Zulch. Part of the reason for insurance is to cover little accidents like this. You aren't being a jerk for expecting insurance to cover damages caused by someone else. I'd suggest filing a claim. Someone will professionally assess the damage and you will get paid accordingly and can ten decide about having the repair done or pocketing the cash. I don't believe $160 is nearly enough to repair that correctly. Good luck.

 

[UTEP]

Yea..see I'm not that kind of guy. Arizona pin stripes we called 'em in Tucson. I have the peeling clear-coat and oxidized finish so in reality this is the least of my worries. Like I said too; bed liner!

I forgot to mention I have an independent witness who saw the entire incident and offered his statement if it goes that far, so I won't get any blame.

All the same the way insurance works I don't want to nail this guy for a stupid mistake. Actually it was his wife from Mexico with Mexican license, probably make more trouble than is fair.

Thx,

Zulch

Good attitude!

Insurance companies are such a racket! I had a dent on my Tacoma I defied anyone to find, they never could. Insurance paid me $900 for it! (It was behind the bumper, bumper got tweaked into the rear quarter panel but sprung back out in a low speed fender bender)

As noted previously there is always your insurance company can go sideways on you too. But just in case you may want to get a report rolling to cover yourself. I think you can do so without making it a claim since you don't declare the damages but it's more of a legal safe guard in case the other guy has a trick up their sleeve. Not sure what the time limit is, you can call your insurance and run it past them.

Just sayin'….

UTEP

 

[pluton]

You are a fool to be financially lenient with the guy who's fault it is(based on my understanding of your description).
Even if your insurance decides that you are 100% at fault, your rate will probably go up $30 a year for three years.
And, as the others have stated, $160 is way too little to settle for.

 

[Zulch_AW]

You are a fool to be financially lenient with the guy who's fault it is(based on my understanding of your description).
Even if your insurance decides that you are 100% at fault, your rate will probably go up $30 a year for three years.
And, as the others have stated, $160 is way too little to settle for.

I don't know about a fool..

Sometimes we take a hit doing the right thing. I don't always have to win and can split the difference in an accident.

I also intend on using this as a 4x4 a LOT! I emailed photos of it to my buddies in AZ when I got and they couldn't wait to help me scratch it up. AZ pinstripes!

This aint no California grocery gitter!

BTW I'm not in San'Berdino nor is my name Zulch… it is a reference to something….

Hasta,

Zulch

 

[lilreds21]

[MENTION=102301]Zulch_AW[/MENTION] where in Tucson are you at (if I read that correctly)

 

[Zottyzot]

You're probably doing the right thing, but these days it's hard to trust anybody.
If you're not worried about the appearance of your truck, that's fine. You should be concerned that the other party gets a bug up their ass or all of a sudden "their back hurts" and they decide to try and sue you. I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but you never know...and sadly, it's a possibility.

 

[Zulch_AW]

[MENTION=102301]Zulch_AW[/MENTION] where in Tucson are you at (if I read that correctly)

Hi Lilreds21,

Not in Tucson, but I call Tucson home and hope to move back there soon. Currently moving about between Tucson, El Paso, San Diego via Utah and Nevada…

Missing Tucson big time though….

Zulch

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yeah, $160 was way too little to settle for here... You should always report the accident to the police unless there is no damage to your vehicle, because they can help assign fault to the insurance companies. Especially in this case, it sounds like it is 100% the other person's fault, and possibly an uninsured driver.

You may have trouble now filing a claim and having it not be decided as a no-fault because you didn't get a police report, even though you have a witness.

You can always choose later to not file an insurance claim. You gotta protect yourself though, I hope this one works out for you ok.

BTW, if it's private property, like a parking lot or something like that, then the police won't respond, in which case you should take lots of pictures of exactly how the accident happened to help assign fault.