Had an accident, need some advice...

[GoodMojo]

I was just involved in an accident where a woman in an old Toyota Corolla turned left across two lanes from the rightmost lane on a one way street and unfortunately, right into my passenger-side rear quarter as I was trying desparately to get out of the way. Most of the damage is concentrated at that wheel well, with some body damage and a smashed rim. The police took down all of the information and the woman admitted fault (plenty of witnesses around as well. It happened at 4th and Pine in Seattle for those that live in this area) so I feel fairly covered in that area if the driver's insurance company ever gave me any grief.

This being my first accident ever, I was wondering if I'd missed anything in handling the accident? Is there anything special that I should pay attention to when I speak to the shop and insurance companies?

I should've stayed at work... *sigh*

Thanks,
-Wade
'88 930 Slant-coupe

[Eric Coffey]

The only piece of advice I would offer is: Don't accept a low settlement figure! If the other party's insurance is covering the damage, they will probably try to get by with a bare-bones offer. This happened to me with an accident claim a few years back (I was rear-ended), and the at-fault party's insurance co. initially offered me "X" amount. I left their office and told them that their offer was completely unacceptable and that I would rather take my chances in the court room. After having my attorney make one phone call to them, they tripled the "X" amount offer, and I accepted it. Now I am not advocating insurance "gouging" by any means. It is just that you should be able to have your car repaired by any shop you choose, even if they are the most expensive in town. Several estimates from high-end repair shops doesn't mean a thing to a trigger-happy claims adjuster. Sometimes you have to fight for what is fair.

-Eric

[fred hannah]

wade sorry to hear about your accident, look on the bright side though, your alive and not hurt, now take a big breath, let out a big sigh, and kick some insurance company a@# and get what you rightfully have coming to you. good luck.

[Kurt B]

I too was hit on the right door/rear quarter panel. Replace the door was easy, but the rear quarter was not replaced.
One thing I noticed later that was not fixed that you should point out to them if you need to is the size of the gaps between the quarter panels and the rear decklid when the decklid is closed. Now that I look back there, the side I was hit on has less gap...almost no gap. The right side was pushed in a mm or so.

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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[mwbaum]

Sorry to hear about the accident. Here in Seattle I have had good experiences at Stetner Auto Body on Lake City Way.(not on Porsches tho) In handling an accident, I like to carry a disposable camera in my car so if I am hit I can snap pics quickly before the other party moves their car. That way if there are no witnesses, I can show fault more easily if I am dealing with a dishonest person. Also, until you receive a satisfactory and fair settlement your neck could remain on the sore side?

[Z-man]

Wade,
My wife was side swiped a couple of years ago, and here's what we learned:

1. Get the police report. Here in NJ it costs $5.00, but if you have a copy and mail it to your insurance company direct, they will get it sooner: the at-fault insurance co. will drag their feet on it for sure.

2. It may take more time, but get the repairs done right: if your autobody shop says the sheet metal can be repaired or replaced, opt for the replaced! Your insurance company should back you on your decisions.

3. Check with your auto body place to ensure that they will accept a check directly from the insurance company: this will allow you to get your car back quicker. If not, you may have to wait until the check clears in your account and write one directly to the autobody shop.

4. Document everything: you may need to supply information to your insurance company years later! Also: were you hurt? Make sure that you check yourself out ASAP: otherwise if you did have bodily harm and don't report it soon, you won't be compensated for it later.

Hope it works out!
-Zoltan.

PS: My wife and I visited Seattle and Anacortes in August for vacation. We had a wonderful time. Know of any IT jobs in your area?!?!?

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My toy: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man

[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 08-29-2001).]

[mwbaum]

Z-Man....MSFT is always hiring....good time to get your stock options before the economy improves.

[GoodMojo]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it.

As for IT jobs in this area, things are still pretty slim pickings but is slightly improving. But as another poster mentioned, MSFT is still doing some limited hiring. Real Networks is hiring on a limited basis as well. You might want to check out http://www.nwhtjobs.com and/or Monster.com


-Wade
'88 930 Slant-coupe

[Z-man]

Thanks for the job info, guys: actually, even though I'd love to live in Washington state, I an very happy with what I do here in IT at Mercedes-Benz in NJ. Plus my wife would have a hard time leaving her family here in the east...

But oh the beauty of the great outdoors in Washington State! Perhaps when I get real rich (don't hold your breath) I can buy a small island in the sound and built a little log cabin home....opps: sorry: day dreaming again....


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My toy: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man

[Joeaksa]

GoodMoJo,

Listen to Freefly and the other guys in the Seattle area, and find a shop that YOU want to do the repair. It was not your fault and "joe blow's" auto body who is the low bidder is not who you want to fix your car. The womans insurance will try to push you in this direction, but thats exactly what you do not want.

You did not say if it was the front or rear. If rear, make sure that the hub/axle was not also damaged in the process. Also check all the suspension in the area and replace anything that is not 100% right.

Get several estimates and get estimates only at the shops where you would have the repairs completed. I would also contact John Walkers Workshop and see who they recommend, but get someone good locally, and hopefully someone who has several recommendations here on the board. Past history and good customer comments go a long way in my book!

JA

[Jdub]

I know the area where you had your accident well. I work up Dexter ways.

It is SO important to take photos. I keep a disposable in all my cars. Do get the police report, go right to the precinct where the reporting officer works, thank him or the Seargent at arms, and get the report ASAP. File a counter report should you find ANY discrepencies.

Go to a real, bona fide Porsche dealership and have the estimate done there. Under no circumstances have the work done at a shop that does not understand Porsches. If you can consider it a "classic" then go to Phantom, or another classic car restor. operation. Believe me on this one; the body shop works with the insurance, NOT with you. That is why you should question your insurance agent if they hand you a check that is NOT made out to you. The chain of payment is YOU, then BODY SHOP. That is how you ensure that you keep the bone from the doggie until the tail wags.

Jw

[Joeaksa]

Jdub brings up a very important point. I had my car in the shop when it was sideswiped by a semi-truck.

Five months later (I was out of the country) when the car was still not completed, the shop kept asking for some money. The insurance company refused to give them the money, and instead gave me the check and told me to hold onto it when I get the car back.

The only way I got the car back was the guy wanted the money. Had he gotten even part of the money directly from the insurance people, it would have taken longer!

He who holds onto the check, makes the rules!

JA

[Eric Coffey]

The best (IMO) body shop in the area with Lots of Porsche experience is "Queen City Auto Rebuild" in Redmond, across from Speedware Motorsports. They do top-notch work, and always have tons of P-cars and Ferrari's out front and in the bay. Last time I drove by, they were working on a 550 Marenello, a 360 Modena, and two 993 twin turbos. The only downside is that there is usually a 2 month waiting list. Their number is: 425-883-3300.

-Eric

[Superman]

It is very difficult, and expensive, to restore an injured Porsche body to original, or near-original condition. Factory build quality is sky-high. So, unless you take it to THE BEST shop, your chances of ending up with less car than you had before the accident are excellent.

I'd agree that you should take your time and carefully check out your physical condition. I'm not suggesting insurance gouging using a medical excuse, but make sure YOU have not been injured.

Some folks ask for a settlement, when it is all over, that exceeds the cost of repair. The reason for this is to offset the (probable) devaluation of the car, now that it has been 'wrecked.'

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'83 SC

[GoodMojo]

I just got off the phone with the dealer mechanic (Barrier Motors) and so far things look pretty good damage-wise. The early report is that the suspension and axle seem to be ok. The rim took the bulk of the impact and is bent (side swipe). It looks like the offending car's tow hook or something caught the edge of the rim and bent it inwards.

There is body damage but the dealer will have to send the car out to Queen City Auto Rebuild to get an estimate on the bodywork needed. From what I remember from the scene last night, the wooden brake duct intake slats were broken, the lip of the wheel well just before the rear wheel is pushed in, and the rear valence? just behind the wheel is crushed inwards (the part below the bumper which covers the exhaust system). There's also a small dent on the rear portion of the wheel well near the seam/rubber gasket.

Thanks for the support guys. Hopefully things will go smoothly at the shops and the car back in my garage soon so I can work on it again


-Wade
'88 930 Slant-coupe (hospitalized)


[This message has been edited by GoodMojo (edited 08-29-2001).]

[ldillow]

The key to good responses from the insurance company is to get good witnesses. They will try to assign a % of the blame to you for not avoiding, going too fast, etc. Just tell them to call your witnesses and open their check book 100%! My daughter works at AutoCraft up north at 15NE and 175NEth. They do real quality work returning autos to factory condition. Clean shop top quality gear, the owner Steve is a clean and detail freak! Check it out if you need additional estimates.
larry

[Z-man]

Just a clarification: I would never give money or authorized money to be given to a shop prior to the completion of the services. If you have a loan on your car, the loan company won't authorize payment until the car is properly repaired.

What I was trying to say is that AFTER the car repairs are complete, some insurance companies can give the money directly to the shop, instead of going through you. If you have a loan on the car, the loan company may also intervene and inspect the car before payment can be made.

All these hands in the mix means more time: we had to wait 2 months before we finally got Kim's car back.

If you can authorize direct payment (AFTER work is satisfactorily completed!) then it may get you in your car a little sooner...

That's all... -Z.


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My toy: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man

[Jdub]

I am learning a ton here...thanks!

I will bookmark Queen City and AutoCraft. We had a bad experience at Haury's on Lake City Way just FYI. I would avoid if possible.

Jw

[pbs911]

Sorry to hear you story.
it remindes me of the time a women had sideswiped my old vette in a parking lot. I had her admit liability and sign a statement that the accident was here fault. I went down to three of the most expensive body shops and received an estimate on the repair.

When I went to her insurance the guy gave me a difficult time on how much the repair was and the fault of his insured. I promptly handed him the signed statement by his insured and he immediately changed his tune. I received a check on the spot for the average of the three exstimates.

My point is that you have a police report where the other driver admitted liability! This is like money in the bank! Get a copy of the police report and if the insurance company gives you any grief shove it in their face. They have a fiduciary duty to protect their insured. If they don't, they are subject to a bad faith suit by their insured. Hopefully you won't have this problem, but if you do, you have the ammo.

Good luck.


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Paul
78SC Targa

[thabaer]

Wade,

If the wheel is bent make sure they replace the bearings or at least take a good look at them.


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Charlie Baer
'79 Euro 911SC