I live in North Carolina and my car needed a paint job. The shop that was going to paint it instructed my car to be taken to the shop the night before so they could work on it first thing in the morning. So the night before I drive my car to the place, park it in their parking space, and leave my key in the drop box. The next day they call saying they can't find my car. I was surprised, thinking maybe I parked it in the wrong lot or something. Turns out, my car got stolen. What are my options and what should I do about this? I'm hoping they pay me the value of my car since it was on their property.
2006-07-18 17:40:06 · 6 answers · asked by Ash 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You need to call your insurance agent in the morning, don't talk to the bodywork place till you speak to them. I would hope there is something that can be done.
2006-07-18 17:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by kirsten215 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the police and your insurance company. Go by sometime when it is closed and take pictures of the drop box to show that there was or was not damage done to the box. Was it broken into? Were there other cars that needed to be painted the next day (should be on their schedule) why didn't those cars have to park at night and drop the keys? If they did, then where are their cars. Get the name of the person who told you to do that. Find out how many other people have reported their cars stolen from the same place. have a friend "need' to get their car painted and see what they tell him to do. record all further communication with the paint people. Even if they did not steal your car,
If this is their standard practice you can win in a court of law because that is NEGLIGENT NEGLIGENT NEGLIGENT to have an unlocked drop box, or a drop box that can be broken into. If they have a drop box for keys it should be like the drop box outside of a bank- unpenetrable. Also, if this is a standard practice, the cars should be in a secure location WITH SECURITY CAMERAS.
If you did exactly as you were told, and the car was on their property YOU BET THEY ARE LIABLE!!! FIGHT THIS...you have a case. Your insurance company has attys.
2006-07-18 19:00:20 · answer #2 · answered by mg 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
File a police report, as well as a report with your insurance company. Also, if you suspect there was negligence on the part of the shop, you should consult an attorney to sue them for their negligence.
2006-07-18 18:54:55 · answer #3 · answered by Angela B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
File a police report. Call your insurance company and contact a lawyer to see what your options are.
2006-07-18 17:43:56 · answer #4 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are probably protected from liablity for theft of vehicles unless you can prove they did something negligent. Your best bet is to just call the police and hope they find it somewhere.
2006-07-18 17:43:42 · answer #5 · answered by MikeD 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the police and your insurance company ASAP.
2006-07-18 18:18:16 · answer #6 · answered by Garth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋