I'm going to court over damage to my rig!

[NorthGa4R]

A few weekends ago I was dropping some trash off at the dump. I guy next me was pulling a bag of trash out of his truck. He was careless with the bag and dragged it down the rear quarter panel. I go to the back of my rig and there was a 8 inch long scratch. I call the guy over and info him that he just scratched my truck.

He guy says,"your worried about that sh*t?". I said"yeah I'm worried about that sh*t" I told him let's call the cops and talk to them about it. The guy says no please don't, ill pay for it. I have a friend fix it for $75.00. I emailed the invoice and called the guy. He's now says he doesn't know who I am and refuses to cover the damage!

I thought about just letting it go, but I don't appreciate the help messing my truck up. So I will be going to court over the incident. It cost me $110.00 to file and I know that's throwing good money over bad, but I would have already fix his truck if I was careless with my trash. I park a mile away and always watch for scratches. It's all about proving the point now.

Anybody else have anything like this happen to them?


UPDATE!

I got a call from the guy that scratched my runner. He said, "what's it going to cost to make this go away" I told him I only wanted exactly what it had cost me. $185. He stated that the check was in the mail. I got home and checked the mail box.. no check, but I had received a letter from the court saying I had won due to the other party not responding in time. It also said that I was currently earning 6.25% interest on the settlement.

So what like 300 years and it maybe enough to get me a new runner? Haha

 

[jonwilly2]

someone creamed my bumper and left a note saying "my b bro" and thats it. The right rear half of the bumper was bent in 2 inches. When my dad still had it, this person tried trashing his car and getting money for it. My dad owns a small insurance agency and has been in the business for almost 40 years he can spot the bs a mile away. The guy went through the parking lot kicking the cars and i still got a dented fender that never got payed for. Turns out he was wanted for something and got 10 years.

 

[NJshadow93]

A few weekends ago I was dropping some trash off at the dump. I guy next me was pulling a bag of trash out of his truck. He was careless with the bag and dragged it down the rear quarter panel. I go to the back of my rig and there was a 8 inch long scratch. I call the guy over and info him that he just scratched my truck.

He guy says,"your worried about that sh*t?". I said"yeah I'm worried about that sh*t" I told him let's call the cops and talk to them about it. The guy says no please don't, ill pay for it. I have a friend fix it for $75.00. I emailed the invoice and called the guy. He's now says he doesn't know who I am and refuses to cover the damage!

I thought about just letting it go, but I don't appreciate the help messing my truck up. So I will be going to court over the incident. It cost me $110.00 to file and I know that's throwing good money over bad, but I would have already fix his truck if I was careless with my trash. I park a mile away and always watch for scratches. It's all about proving the point now.

Anybody else have anything like this happen to them?

good luck man. that sucks, but watch out because can't they say you technically left the scene of the accident? any proof? surveillance cameras or witnesses? I know how you feel. it looks like some d*ck didn't know how to drive and brushed my rear bumper leaving a small skid mark, luckily because the cladding, it is barely noticeable and i can rub it out when i get the chance. i dont mind some small scratches here and there as long as i was the one to put them there.

 

[450exc115]

I came home last week later during the night and saw a mark on my wifes new to us 2008 TL Type S right on the passanger door. Get out hopping it was bird poo or something similar. NOPE door dig that left paint and a dent..

Asked my wife she said she saw it but didn't check it as she needed to go get our son at daycare. Not sure if it happened at work or the daycare. Either way some POS wailed our car (2 months old to us) and walked away, no note no nothing.

I nearly camped out at her work parking lot looking for a white or silver vehicle with a messed up door edge.

 

[NorthGa4R]

It wasn't a car accident because he did it with the trash bag not his car. No cameras, I took a photo of his tag and he gave me his business card. Even if I lose, it will he him in court for one day. It's been a pain for me, now it will be a pain for him.

 

[NorthGa4R]

I understand it just a car, but I love mine. And its mine. Don't mess with anything I love.

 

[rockwall]

Good luck with this process. I admire you a lot for trying to make a point. People who are careless with other people's cars and personal things suck.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I completely agree. I love my rig, after the first trail ride in Hollister, there's pinstriping all over the passenger side and some on the driver's side, the running boards were ruined and got removed and the driver's front cladding clip broke so it has a barely noticeble gap close to the bottom edge of the vehicle. Does it bother me? Yeah, but hey I knew it would get scratched up and dinged when I went offroading the first time and it won't be the last time...

Am I pissed about the couple nicks from doors and slight dent from door dings? Oh hell yes, if I knew who did them I would make them pay for it. Why, its allready f*$#@!d up right?

Because its MY Rig, if it gets screwed up because of what I do, then its on me and I deal with it. If someone f@#$ks with my property and my baby then THEY take responsibility for the damage they caused. Honestly as silly as it may be, its the point of responsibility not the scratch.

In my opinion, with how shady this guy's been so far, drag his sorry ass through court and if nothing else you make it clear you will not put up with his crap even if its just a scratch on your car.

 

[snowbrdr033]

It sucks that it had to get to this, but that's reality with some people. You will definitely get your point proven when he gets served with papers, no doubt about that! Even if it doesn't go exactly how you want it, at least you inconvenienced the F*$& outta him. ha.
I'm the same exact way as you, so I completely empathize and agree!

 

[toytwo]

If he tries to deny his negligence then ask him to explain how you obtained his card, photo of his tag at the dump etc. The judge will know who is credible & who isn't. You have better than a 50/50 chance in my opinion. You only have to tip the scale in your favour not beyond a reasonable doubt. This isn't a car accident either so leaving the scene isn't an issue. It's the principal not the money. Good luck!

 

[NorthGa4R]

Anytime you take pride in something people don't understand. The Toyota flags and banners and the forums.. I flipped my tacoma at 65 with no seatbelt and walked away. In my house we only drive Toyota. I have "Jackson" and my wife has "Wyatt". (Lifted fj)

I'm glad to see other people have had problems with a$$es.

 

[NorthGa4R]

If he tries to deny his negligence then ask him to explain how you obtained his card, photo of his tag at the dump etc. The judge will know who is credible & who isn't. You have better than a 50/50 chance in my opinion. You only have to tip the scale in your favour not beyond a reasonable doubt. This isn't a car accident either so leaving the scene isn't an issue. It's the principal not the money. Good luck!

Agreed, thanks

 

[ClockWork]

I gave up caring about dings and scratches when I realized how thin the sheet metal is and how poor the paint is on the 4R.

Honestly, its a car, a Toyota at that. That's not to say the guys isnt a douche.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Anytime you take pride in something people don't understand. The Toyota flags and banners and the forums.. I flipped my tacoma at 65 with no seatbelt and walked away. In my house we only drive Toyota. I have "Jackson" and my wife has "Wyatt". (Lifted fj)

I'm glad to see other people have had problems with a$$es.

My house is exactly the same, we drive Toyota's and nothing else. My 2003 4R, Mom's 04 Camry XLE V6, Sisters 06 Rav4. I have a friend and they have a 01 Sequoia SR5 V8, and a 88 4Runner V6. I will drive nothing but Toyota's for the rest of my life. Never had a problem with them. On the other hand, the 05 Ford F150 (I call F150's F1****ty's, LOL) was the biggest hunk of sh!t we had, fuel pump, spark plugs shot out of the block (common in the 5.4's) replaced the ECU 2 times, fuse box, it was a electrical nightmare, etc. Everything that can go wrong to a vehicle went wrong with that 2 times as much. And the Ford dealer treated us like we were mindless fuc*****s. Have had 3 Toyota's (98 T4R SR5 V6 4x2, 03 Highlander Base 2.4L I4, 03 4Runner V8 SR5 4x2. All combined, we have driven them 85,000 miles, and only gas, oil changes, timing belts, (only on 98 4R, time hasn't come for the 03 4R and 03 Highlander had a timing chain) just routine maintenance. And that mileage isn't even including my mom's 04 Camry XLE V6 os sister's 06 Rav4. We have more family w/ Toyota's but too much to name. I remember one other, well 2 actually 2. My Aunt's 08 Rav4 Limited V6, and my Grandma's 92 4Runner 3.0 (yes, she had the head gasket recall done) with get this, 398,000 miles. (She died in 08, she had some medical problems. At least she's in a better place now) It's sitting with my Grand Pa who still drives it to this day, with only routine maintenance. Now I think you see why I will only own Toyota's.

Here we go:, lol. I love what you do for me, Toyota!
Who could ask for anything more, TOYOTA! I'll just stop here. Lol. Thanks if you read this far!

 

[inscarguy]

go through insurance. the almost same thing happened to me about 4 years ago. i was at walmart in seabrook nh with my old jeep GC. came out and there was a egg sized dent in the lt rr quarter with blue paint transfer. wow, and look there is the same blue color Volvo next to me. took pics of the car in relation to the dent. called my insurance and a week and 1/2 later i had my check.

BTW the Volvo owner said it was not her. Insurance co investigated and found her at fault.

and you dont have to worry about leaving the scene. you got his info and you both left.

 

[Dougtoms01]

"If he tries to deny his negligence then ask him to explain how you obtained his card, photo of his tag at the dump etc. The judge will know who is credible & who isn't. You have better than a 50/50 chance in my opinion. You only have to tip the scale in your favour not beyond a reasonable doubt. This isn't a car accident either so leaving the scene isn't an issue. It's the principal not the money. Good luck!"

Agree +2

Best regards,
Doug

 

[stanleybb50]

go through insurance. the almost same thing happened to me about 4 years ago. i was at walmart in seabrook nh with my old jeep GC. came out and there was a egg sized dent in the lt rr quarter with blue paint transfer. wow, and look there is the same blue color Volvo next to me. took pics of the car in relation to the dent. called my insurance and a week and 1/2 later i had my check.

BTW the Volvo owner said it was not her. Insurance co investigated and found her at fault.

and you dont have to worry about leaving the scene. you got his info and you both left.

This is good to know


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[KB084RUNNER]

Anybody else have anything like this happen to them?

YES, my best advice...spend the money at the body shop.

 

[stanleybb50]

This is why I park at the end of the parking lot and hoof it. I swear its almost quicker anyway not looking/fighting for spots... Best way to avoid the door dings and distracted soccer moms backing up their minivans/huge Sequoia's/etc...


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[034RUNNER]

I gave up caring about dings and scratches when I realized how thin the sheet metal is and how poor the paint is on the 4R.

Honestly, its a car, a Toyota at that. That's not to say the guys isnt a douche.

I can go both ways on what the OP is saying. While I haven't given up caring, I have noticed little marks on my back bumper where people bumped it at school or in other parking garages (God, I hate them). Of course I didn't always know who it was so what could I do really?

With that said, I'm not sure I would go to a court over a scratch, especially not a very costly one at that (being keyed or something would be different). If the guy did real damage, that's a whole other story. Accidents happen and not everyone treats their car as well as car/truck/whatever enthusiasts. Little nicks and scratches are not worth the high blood pressure and migraine for me personally, then again my 4Runner is not my absolute pride and joy to keep looking perfect, although it is cleaner than most other 2003 cars (no matter what they are) that are on the road.

OP, hopefully you can remedy the situation, and more importantly get your truck taken care of.