My car got violated today...by a semi.

While I was at work today, one of the guys that works in the warehouse attached to our offices came to me and said "your car got hit. A container hit it." I figured maybe a trash can rolled into it. Nope. It was a container attached to a truck. The guy wasn't watching his mirror and rolled one of his tires right into the driver side corner of my rear bumper. It made me sick to see my poor car violated by someone who is supposed to be a professional driver. Worst of all, the driver spoke hardly any English and I needed to get the GM of our company, who is Chinese to come and act as a translator and handle the situation.

The driver immediately wanted me to name a price and he offered to pay cash to get a new bumper or aftermarket one and get it painted. Just as long as I didn't report it to the insurance.

I have every intention of doing the right thing in this situation, but at the same time I don't want to put someone's job in danger because of a mistake. I suppose that's being a bit nice, but still. Does anyone have any advice? Also, how hard is it to get a rear bumper cover from the dealership and about how much does it cost and how long does it take to get done? The only thing damaged (as far as I know, but it's getting looked over tomorrow) was the rear bumper cover. Are these parts readily available from Ford?

Thanks,
Kris

05 Mineral Grey GT

Kris - sorry to hear about your ride being damaged. I'd tell the guy $5K cash and the insurance will never find out about it.

Mike from Casco [eBay] has GT takeoff bumpers for $200 plus shipping. Here's his info:

Mike Castelnero
734-323-4885
http://crashparts.cascocompany.net
mike@cascocompany.net

Screw him to the wall, you don't need these crimaliens pouring into our country, not speaking english and tearing up our family, homes and property.

Sue him, the company, the owner of the truck and the US Immigration service for letting this idiot past our borders.

If he has had enough accidents to lose his job over one small mishap then you are being irresponsible to everyone else on the road NOT to report it properly.

I had a drunk hit my Acura while it was parked one time. He tried to give me a sob story about how he was gonna lose his license for 'this one'. Just made me more resolute to get him nailed.

Spoken like a truly enlightened individual.
*sigh* Makes me proud to be an American.
Now, disculpame, while I go hurl...

So sorry that happened. Had it been me, I'd have burst into tears! With regard to reporting it to insurance - I'd be inclined to do the "right" thing and report it. You aren't putting the guy's job in danger...he did that on his own. Your responsibility is only to yourself and your stang.

Having delt with people who promise to pay cash and then weeks later still haven't payed up. I say report it and use the system that's in place for a reason.

DO NOT PUT AN AFTERMARKET BUMPER ON YOUR NEW MUSTANG!!! These things are known for having problems fitting. With experience an autoshop guy can recommend if you should even put one on. But no one, not even an insurance adjuster is gonna try to weasel one in on a new car. Go to a reputable dealer and get an estimate. If the guy can't immediately pay that amount, turn it in.

I used to drive truck and most companies will let a driver go with only one accident. They don't want to deal with there liability going up because the kept the driver that caused the accident.

No matter what you should definatly take it through his company. It's not your fault he hit your car and you should not feel guilty about anything that happens to him.

Kris, where are you from? I ask because I see a grey 05 in the body shop parking lot across the way from my shop with a mushed in rear bumper.

That sucks sorry to hear it man. You should def go through the insurance company. Learn from my mistake, i tried to be a nice guy once when a similar sit happened and it became a mess. You shouldnt feel bad if has a chance to lose his job over this. It was his fault for not being careful and paying attention to what he was doing. I have learned that in situations like this trying to be nice is just more hassle than it is worth. Which is why these companies have come up with a process to deal with them. Plus when it is getting fixed make sure you are getting oem parts cause most ins companies will try to go with cheaper aftermarket companies and you could get parts that dont fit right. They tried to so it to me on my 02 focus when i needed a new front bumper after a guy pulled out infront of me. Hope everything goes smooth for ya.

EXACTLY!

Goog guys ALWAYS finish last. Save yourself the hurt.

There could be other damage that's not apparent. Get a police report too. The guy could later deny even knowing anything about it. Protect yourself.

Take the money dude...it will be way easier then going through your insurance company. Also it keeps it off the record. Your car though.

If you didn't get cash right then and there forget it. He'll split on you or try some other b.s. Call the cops and file a claim.

Speaking as a "professional truck driver". I know of no companies that will let you go for 1 accident. It has to be at least 3 accidents within a year (At least at every place I have talked to). So if the person is worried about losing his job. Then he should have been paying more attention. Go through the company. It is far harder to deal with an individual then the company.

I rear-ended a car once and I asked the same thing that the trucker did. The person I hit got two estimates for the repair and I paid them cash for the highest estimate, and both parties were satisfied, with no ding on my driving record.

be careful, my buddy got hit one time and he switched insurance with the other driver, then found out he did NOT have coverage at the time of the accident. then the guy said he would pay him cash. a few weeks go by and no money. my buddy had to turn it in to his insurance as an uninsured motorist. then his rates went up for something he did not cause. the same buddy also has a roadrunner in his garage, and one day the door was open. a little girl riding her bike ran into the side of his 1/4 panel while it was in the garage. cops could not do anything, because it was not a criminal act. the girls parents promised to pay for the damages. its been 6 months, and they have not so much as stopped by to say they need more time to come up with the money. he has not heard a peep from them.

cover your butt anyway you can, never know when its gonna come out of your pocket....

Damn that sucks man.. It would make me sick to my stomach as well, to see my car hit with such disregard.. I applaud your effort in seeking to save the driver serious hardship.. But enlight of the facts, this is what you should do..

Get an estimate for the real value of the parts from a Ford dealership, with them doing the work and paint.. The price will be slightly higher than an aftermarket bodyshop, but you will get real factory parts.. On top of this, I would add another $1500 bucks, for putting you through this type of problem, and for handling things in a way as to not put his job, or livlihood in jeapordy.. Seriously, $1500 extra bucks is a small price for him to pay for you to keep this quiet, and away from his insurance company..

So, basically have Ford do all the work, and as compensation for your good mannered intentions, an extra $1500 bucks will make sure he never hits another Mustang as long as he lives..

Now with the extra $1500 bucks, once the car is out of the shop, you can put that towards some engine upgrades, wheels, tires, or whatever you want.. Hell, take a vacation man, you deserve it..

Also, make sure he pays you in cash.. Seriously, its a good thing there are people as nice as you in the world.. But he must learn to respect the 05 GT.. Its not like you can just walk into any dealership in America and buy one.. They are hard to get.. Plus, yours will have a slightly less value, because of the incident..

You are seriously delusional if you think the average driver is going to carry around $1500 plus the cost of repairs in cash. I'd bet he(the driver) likely only has enough to cover what he thinks the damage would be. Most drivers who are worried about keeping an accident from the company or insurance. Are usually living paycheck to paycheck. And it won't make him never hit another mustang as long as he lives. Nor will it make him respect the car. It will only make him think you are a jerk. And slightly less value? It's not being reported to insurance if you go that way. So only the owner will ever know it has been hit. No loss of value unless he tells a future potential buyer.