One more thing that sucks about parking in Chicago

wodom1

As I was leaving for work this morning, I drive by my Durango (I drive a company truck home now) to see the front end all banged up. I didn't have time to stop and look, and I knew that I'd just get more pissed if I stared at it so I went to work thinking I was screwed, as far as getting it fixed. Who would have thought that people still leave their info if they hit your car? When I came home, I decided to take some pictures. Low and behold, there was a note under my wipers from the girl that hit me. I got in touch with her and it turns out that a friend of hers was driving a moving truck and mis-judged the turn into the alley and nailed me. She doesn't want to go through her insurance and wants me to get a quote, but I've already called my insurance company and it looks like it will be pretty pricey to fix. I'm afraid there's more damage than meets the eye. I moved it into a different space after taking the pictures and it did not feel right, so I'm afraid there may be damage to the axle or transfer case. I'm not comfortable with taking her word that she's going to get it fixed so I'm letting the insurance co. take care of it. My insurance company is phenominal, so hopefully I won't owe a thing.

How does this look to you guys?

bobman1235

Doesn't look like it should go beyond body work to me. At least she left a note. Plenty of people would have just bolted.

audiobliss

Doesn't look bad at all to me. Assuming the steering wheel is turned slightly to the left, the wheel looks like it should be aligned alright, too. I can't imagine that there would be any damage to the transfer case; unless I'm mistaken, it should be after the transmission in the drivetrain, so I'd really be surprised if it's messed up.

I assume it's possible for the front axle, front differential, or the steering system to be messed up, but if she was driving a big old moving truck she was going slow. Just judging from the pictures and the story, I really would think there's no more damage than meets the eye.

Hopefully there isn't, but who knows. Best of luck to getting it fixed!

EDIT: I would drive it around the block and make sure it's not in my head.

wodom1

bobman1235 wrote:

Doesn't look like it should go beyond body work to me. At least she left a note. Plenty of people would have just bolted.

Yeah, I'm really suprised that there was a note. I did not expect to find one and figured that I was going to be stuck with the $500 deductable to get it fixed.

audiobliss wrote:

Doesn't look bad at all to me. Assuming the steering wheel is turned slightly to the left, the wheel looks like it should be aligned alright, too. I can't imagine that there would be any damage to the transfer case; unless I'm mistaken, it should be after the transmission in the drivetrain, so I'd really be surprised if it's messed up.

I assume it's possible for the front axle, front differential, or the steering system to be messed up, but if she was driving a big old moving truck she was going slow. Just judging from the pictures and the story, I really would think there's no more damage than meets the eye.

When I parked it two weeks ago, the tire was like 3" from the curb. When I checked it this afternoon, it was right up against the curb, so they hit me pretty hard. It did not want to roll forward on its own when I put it into drive either. I had to give it gas to get it to roll...There wouldn't be any damage to an axle as it's IFS. I forgot about that until now.

audiobliss

Not trying to argue, but here's what I'm still thinking...

She didn't neccessarily hit you hard. She cut the corner too close and ended up hitting the corner of your car; if she didn't know that immediately and kept going for a ways (or maybe she knew and didn't think she could do any better on another try and just kept going), just going 1 - 2 mph would still have pushed your car over against the curb.

Also, your car wouldn't roll when you put it in gear? I bet that's because it was against the curb. Much more rolling resistance, and hence why you had to give it some gass.

I'd drive it down the driveway and back up, at the very least.

BOLIN6861

I LIVE IN ROCKFORD IL.
AND GO TO Chicago ALL THE TIME
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN

George Grand

Angry young man, stop shouting.

Good luck Wodom. It was nice of her to leave the note, and you'd be crazy not to go insurance company.

audiobliss

I personally can't believe you went to the insurance company. I mean, this girl left you a note. If she wasn't going to pay, she wouldn't have done that. Here she is moving, probably on a really tight budget, and now she has to deal with the insurance company. I think if I were her, I'd be glad you were no longer my neighbor.

I just had Dad read this and look at the pics, and he says it's ridiculous that anything would be wrong with it. Even considering how expensive repairs are these days, he says there's a shop here in Winston that does good work (they've fixed up my Jeep twice) that would fix your Durango's body damage for $600.

wodom1

audiobliss wrote:

I personally can't believe you went to the insurance company. I mean, this girl left you a note. If she wasn't going to pay, she wouldn't have done that. Here she is moving, probably on a really tight budget, and now she has to deal with the insurance company. I think if I were her, I'd be glad you were no longer my neighbor.

I just had Dad read this and look at the pics, and he says it's ridiculous that anything would be wrong with it. Even considering how expensive repairs are these days, he says there's a shop here in Winston that does good work (they've fixed up my Jeep twice) that would fix your Durango's body work for $600.

Audio 'Ignorance is' Bliss, Wow! Where do I begin. She should be mad at me because I'm protecting myself in regards to getting a valuable asset repaired? For one thing, she can't be that broke as this is one of the most expensive neighborhoods to live in in the city and kids on tight budgets don't live here.

Well there's a pretty big difference between Winston, NC and Chicago, but from this post and your prior posts, it doesn't sound like you get out too much...It also seems pretty pathetic that you bring your Father in to consult pictures posted on Club Polk. But what do I know, you know it all, it seems.

audiobliss

wodom1 wrote:

Well there's a pretty big difference between Winston, NC and Chicago, but from this post and your prior posts, it doesn't sound like you get out too much...

Then feel free to get out your stereotyping kit, put me in a box, and ignore what I've said.

But regardless, I really don't think there's much damage done to your Durango, and you should be able to get it repaird without paying an arm.

At any rate, I hope it works out good for you, as your Durango sure is a lot prettier than Noel's.

wodom1

audiobliss wrote:

Then feel free to get out your stereotyping kit, put me in a box, and ignore what I've said.

By no means am I trying to stereotype anything...it's a matter of economics.

audiobliss

wodom1 wrote:

It also seems pretty pathetic that you bring your Father in to consult pictures posted on Club Polk. But what do I know, you know it all, it seems.

Whao, now there's a really whammy. I no longer feel obligated to even try to sound nice, now.

My dad is a Snap-On Tools dealer, knows a lot about cars, and talks with mechanics of all kinds all day, every day. I'm sorry for taking an interest in your problem and trying to give you some relatively accurate advice (my dad's opinion), instead of just what ideas I come up with off the top of my head.

VR3

Crash course in Reality...

Room 102, 12 am.... be there, or be square.

Oh yeah, if you are late, we shut the door.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I had someone back into me and drive off and they didnt leave me a note or anything...

audiobliss

Zero wrote:

Your stereotype/observations were spot on Wodom, no apologies needed.

I didn't see an apology.

wodom1

audiobliss wrote:

Whao, now there's a really whammy. I no longer feel obligated to even try to sound nice, now.

My dad is a Snap-On Tools dealer, knows a lot about cars, and talks with mechanics of all kinds all day, every day. I'm sorry for taking an interest in your problem and trying to give you some relatively accurate advice (my dad's opinion), instead of just what ideas I come up with off the top of my head.

The only reason I brought that up was because you attacked me! Whatever dude.

dkg999

Not sure what the issue is. Turning it into his insurance co. takes away a lot of the hassle factor. They will contact her, and if she doesn't want to turn it into her insurance co. then she can just pay his insurance co. This way, his insurance co can use all their know-how and legal power to make sure she does pay up. That's something he wouldn't have on his own.

To scoot the front-end of a Durango 3" sideways takes a good shove. Make sure you get the front end alignment checked out by someone good. Otherwise your problems will start happening in about 10k miles.

I helped a friend move to Wriggleyville a few weeks ago. I had my truck and enclosed trailer setting on the street for 2 hrs while we unloaded. It was crazy, just like I had a big target on them. I had a couple of people try to get into the truck while we were unloading the trailer! I was glad to get out of their unscathed! I like living in Belvidere!

audiobliss

I didn't attack you, I disagreed with your actions: going to the insurance company. At any rate, I'm no longer responding to this thread, but like I said before, I hope it turns out without too much damage.

wodom1

dkg999 wrote:

I helped a friend move to Wriggleyville a few weeks ago. I had my truck and enclosed trailer setting on the street for 2 hrs while we unloaded. It was crazy, just like I had a big target on them. I had a couple of people try to get into the truck while we were unloading the trailer! I was glad to get out of their unscathed! I like living in Belvidere!

I'm just south of Wrigleyville in Lincoln Park. I love the neighborhood, but parking f-ing blows! Whereabouts in Wrigleyville were you?

At least this girl is going to get some good karma for doing the right thing and leaving a note.

dkg999

Growing up in the farm country of Iowa, I'm just not a big city person! The NW suburbs are city enough for me :eek: I take the train into the city from Schaumburg a couple of times a month for meetings downtown, and to visit the Chicago office of a company that I manage the relationship with. That's enough of the city of Chicago for me! On the other hand, my sister lives in the middle of Manhatten in NYC and absolutely loves it. To each their own. Good luck with the vehicle!

wodom1

dkg999 wrote:

Growing up in the farm country of Iowa, I'm just not a big city person! The NW suburbs are city enough for me :eek: I take the train into the city from Schaumburg a couple of times a month for meetings downtown, and to visit the Chicago office of a company that I manage the relationship with. That's enough of the city of Chicago for me! On the other hand, my sister lives in the middle of Manhatten in NYC and absolutely loves it. To each their own. Good luck with the vehicle!

I hear ya. I'm from a small city (15k) in SW Louisiana and lived there for 18 years until I left for college at LSU. I love living in the city. There are bad things that happen here, but I feel that they are way outnumbered by the good. Thanks for the well wishes.

heiney9

dkg999 wrote:

I helped a friend move to Wriggleyville a few weeks ago. I had my truck and enclosed trailer setting on the street for 2 hrs while we unloaded. It was crazy, just like I had a big target on them. I had a couple of people try to get into the truck while we were unloading the trailer! I was glad to get out of their unscathed! I like living in Belvidere!

I was in Wrigleyville 2 Saturdays ago at the Cubs game, I stayed at my cousins and parked on Melrose in front of his place. All night long I kept wondering if I would come out to my car and have it damaged in some way or not there at all. Apparently a few weeks ago someone had their car stolen. I know it can happen anywhere, but being unfamiliar with the area I was a bit apprehensive. As the night went on and the liquor started flowing my concern vanished until I woke up the next morning. Everything was fine!!! Except my pounding head. We had way too much fun harassing those Cardinals fans after the game since the Cubs managed to win.

H9

Dennis Gardner

My guess is $1500-$1800. $600 won't cover R&R and paint in most places.

I'll bet original factory parts would be $400 for the fender and $150 each for the flair and headlight. Cheap, thin oversees parts would be less than half that, but I would request factory only parts on that new of a vehicle. I've never had the import fenders fit right.

BTW, going to your insurance is exactly the right thing to do when the girlfriend was driving a rental truck that wasn't even rented in her name, hence she might be uninsured, with no police report. You might pay hell getting it covered without involving your insurance company. Too many variable here, so I would have my insurance fix it and have them go after her for the $$$. Just my opinion.........

schwarcw

Going to the insurance company was a smart move. The policy holder can always pay to settle the claim. The insured won't be charged for an accident if they pay out of pocket. Her insurance won't go up if she pays, even if her insurance company knows she was in an accident.

If she has a safe driving record and had the policy for three or more years without a chargeable accident, her insurance company may cover the claim without an increase in her premiums.

Dennis Gardner

schwarcw wrote:

If she has a safe driving record and had the policy for three or more years without a chargeable accident, her insurance company may cover the claim without an increase in her premiums.

The name he has may not even be the drivers name, only the name of the girl moving that felt guilty about what happened...........BTW, when I sign for insurance for a rental truck they insure me, not my friend.

The person wanting to pay for it didn't even have the wreck.

MrNightly

Wodom,

Sorry about your truck dude. That totally sucks. Since I'm not an 18 year old kid, I won't start telling you what you should and shouldn't do. All I know is that little things like that can be very expensive with hidden damages. Good move on the insurance.

Regardless, I had to say I got a pretty good kick outta this thread. Thanks for the laughs

Frank Z

I'm think it's time for a solid axle swap, yank the bumper and fab a new one or get one from Hanson. Dana 60's front and rear...four link the rear axle too......

Geez I miss having a Durango.....

ESavinon

I'm sorry to hit your vehicle. I'm only writing this note because some people saw me hit your truck and might write my plate number.
good luck with your repair.

Yours truly,
anonimous.

I've seen people write these types of notes after accidents.
I've written down plate numbers along with my tel number to serve as an witness.
consider yourself lucky that she was responsible enough to leave her info.

mrbigbluelight

The damage, while it doesn't look catastrophic, HAS to cost more than $600.

It was nice to leave a note; as several folks have noted , though, the old "Aw, crap, the neighbors are gawking out the window and writing down my license number !" may very well apply here.

Even if that doesn't hold true, than there still is nothing wrong with going to your insurance company.
Hey.....she hit YOUR truck, not vice versa.
That all your trying to do is get your wheels fixed is gratitude enough on your part. You're not claiming "emotional distress" or some other ambulance chasing stuff; just FIX MY TRUCK !!

The fact that she apparantly didn't purchase insurance when renting the moving truck (or had an unlisted driver driving it at the time of the accident) makes me believe that this could have turned into a "Gee, I'd like to give you the $2800 for the damage, and I know you can't get your vehicle released until that bill is paid, but my Aunt Betsy is having bunion surgery and she needs me to watch the dog and blah-blah-blah."

And who says SHE can't deal with your insurance company. They fix your truck, they send her a bill, she pays it out of her own pocket.

reeltrouble1

I am with Dennis, not goiong to be 600 bucks, the 2 grand +/- seems about right. I suspect you were legally bound to report that damage. Big Brother watches everything when it comes to their dough.

RT1

wodom1

She says she rented the truck but wasn't driving it. I passed this along to my insurance company and they said that shouldn't be an issue. I've also got a voicemail from her admitting responsibility. I also think that it's going to cost well over $600, so it's suprising that she wouldn't want to use her insurance and just be out her deductible. I don't care how it gets paid for as long as not a cent comes out of my pocket.

ohskigod

I gotta roll against Bliss on this one. why would going through insurance even be a factor if the damage was done by a moving truck. If you hit a parked car, there is no reason not to get an accident report, since it usually isnt reportable anyway due to it being an accident with a parked car, not a moving vehicle.

the accident report would have solidified wodom's right to seek relief. a note on the car dont mean crap in a court. If this person decided not to pay, wodom would be s.o.l., and depending on the state, his insurance company could give him the shaft if he did not report the accident immediatly. why take the risk. If the lady wants to pay out of pocket, she still has the option to do so. I dont see how Wodom reporting the incident to his insurance company even hurts her any more than usual?

I was rear ended by someone in my Jeep years ago. He wanted to go around the insurance company, but I insisted on getting an accident report done. I ws lucky I did. what I though would be a 300 bumper was a 3000.00 repair bill due to my rear frame being slightly bent. a quarter panel was bowed slightly, something I did not see initially.

one the bill went that high, the man who hit me suddently was unreachable, but since I got the accident report, was aboe to deal with his insurance company directly. seems he has a habit of smacking people in the rear, and sure enough he did not report it. luckily I got paid.

Audiobliss, youll learn through life that the onus is on you to cover your own arse and protect yourself.

My neighbor hit my pick up truck recently, and he did the right thing, he called the police and reported the accident. that is what you are suppossed to do, not leave a note.