I hit someone's car and did a little bit of body damage. Do I have the right to take it to a body shop of my choice? It was an antique car that he rebuilt (the old vw beetle) What rights do I have? I heard he can take it to get 3 different opinions, and I only have the right to choose which one to take it to, is this true? I live in california...
2007-11-02 10:36:17 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You are responsible for paying for the damage.
You do not have the right to choose which body shop he has to go to. Or even that he get more than one estimate. That's the owner's choice. (He may want one that he is familiar with, or specializes in old volkswagens, etc.) HOWEVER, if the matter ever gets to court, you have the right to argue that the Owner picked a body shop that charged an unreasonable price. The court would then decide what is reasonable.
In sum, the advantages is the owner's, but you have the right to demand that he act reasonably.
2007-11-02 10:51:40 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Remo Aviron is exactly right. You cannot pick the shop he goes to for repairs. You may get your own estimates in addition to his, and if his estimates are unreasonably high compared to yours, then you could argue that you are being overcharged, but you still won't get to pick where he goes. Especially since this is an antique car, he might have his own place that specializes in that kind of auto and that he has a relationship with. You might end up having to pay a bit more because of that, but the best you could do is argue down how much you pay, not get him to go somewhere else.
2007-11-02 11:48:32 · answer #2 · answered by julz 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Usually your insurance company would handle situations like that. You have a right to reasonable priced repairs. If it is an antique car, it might need to be taken to a specialty shop that knows how to work on that particular car. The person you hit also has the right to make sure the repairs are done to the quality that it was before it was damaged.
2007-11-02 10:48:02 · answer #3 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Here is a better idea. Instead of trying to play lawyer, why not call your insurance company? They know the law and will take care of the issue. if you try to play it on your own he is going to take you for as much as possible and there is little you will be able to do.
While you may require him to get additional estimates, he can also rent a car during the time the vehicle is unavailable and you will have to pay for that as well. He is not required to get the best price for you.
2007-11-02 10:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
yes, that sounds right.
he has to get three different quotes to do the work.
you get to pick the cheapest one
and, No - you cant take it to the body shop of your choice.
because you would probably pick the very cheapest one with no regard to quality of work.
2007-11-02 11:08:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess your not getting a safe driver bonus.
2007-11-02 11:18:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
oiy vey.....you have the right to pay for the damage. man.....be more careful next time.
2007-11-02 10:41:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can get your own estimates.
2007-11-02 10:41:32 · answer #8 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋