I had this car accident last year, and the whole length of left-hand side of my vehicle was severely scraped by a tow truck. So my car was sent to this bodyshop to get repaired. After I picked my car up, I found that windows were squeaking so loud when I bring them down, and the rear door was not even fit properly. And the anntena was stuck and won't come down. So I took my car back to the bodyshop, but he told me to go back to ICBC to reclaim and come back to him. But an estimator at ICBC said they already paid almost 5000 dollars to the bodyshop, and it's their job to satisfy customers. This guy at bodyshop is on vacation now, and I'm pretty sure he will not fix my car again. He always gives me some lame excuses to avoid fixing my car. Have you ever been in a similar situation?
What should I do? Should I sue this bodyshop? I mean I'm so angry at this guy's attitude and rudeness...What would you do if you were me?
2006-07-28 07:51:19 · 9 answers · asked by Patrick J 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I would take the Automobile to 3 different body shops and get estimates to repair it. Next take those estimates to the Body Shop that fixed it and show them to the owner and tell them that either they fix the car correctly or you will take them to small claims court. I suspect if you do that you will get your car fixed and if not take them to small claims court. Most of the time as soon as they are served papers they will rectify the problem.
2006-07-28 07:57:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I would gather the paperwork from the insurance company and the paperwork from the body shop. Second, is this the owner or manager of the body shop? If not, talk to the owner of the body shop. If you still do not get anywhere, then talk with the insurance agency, mainly the adjuster who filed your claim, see if they would be willing to testify to the original damage of your vehicle and the new damage to the vehicle. Then retain an attorney for a lawsuit. I would do that if it was my car that was like that. You are right as is your insurance agency, the body shop is responsible for fixing your car. If they won't fix it then they should have to repay you the five thousand dollars so you can go to another body shop to have the work properly done. Also report this body shop to the local better business bureau, help save future customers from having to go through what you are going through. Good luck!
2006-07-28 15:02:43 · answer #2 · answered by masmalan2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I WOULD! talk to a lawyer and get some help though. Also before you go to court make sure you have all the papers and documents with you. Also get new estimates from at least 2 or 3 other shops to fix what's wrong with your car now. Be sure to sue for enough to cover not just fixing your car but lawyer fees and court costs and even a rental car for you while your car gets fixed. Good Luck!
2006-07-28 15:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by Kerri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your insurer should be helping you. Here's why. ...
The insurer is required to pay for the repair and/or replacement of the vehicle.
So far, it has not been repaired/replaced.
THEY selected the shop (I assume, they usually send you to a place with whom they have a contract).
So ... it is their job, under the policy, to ensure the work is done right.
On the other hand ... the body shop owner has a responsibility to get the job done right. I would work with the insurer, to get the body shop to take care of the problem.
If the insurer does not help, it will probably be easier to get them to cooperate (use the State Department of Insurance Complaint Office) than the body shop.
Good luck. (by the way, suing on this would take alot of time, because it is complicated. But a lawyer would be really expensive, and you would have to do it yourself. So, try to get this worked out without sueing).
2006-07-28 15:41:09 · answer #4 · answered by robert_dod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell the guy if he is not willing to work with you that you'll have to contact the better business bureau.. if he doesn't work with you then, call the BBB. They work as a very effective mediation service between customers and the businesses that screw them over.
2006-07-28 14:57:42 · answer #5 · answered by nobodysangel_nobodysfool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a good case for small claims court to me!
2006-07-28 15:33:36 · answer #6 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try calling the BBB first, then complain to the ICBC (I don't know what that is).
2006-07-28 14:56:21 · answer #7 · answered by bablunt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if you should be asking a good lawyer about this.
2006-07-28 14:56:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
contact a lawyer
2006-07-28 14:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by Comfortably Numb™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋