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Traffic Accident Question.... your input please

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by BigDog, Oct 22, 2005.

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  1. BigDog

    BigDog Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
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    #1 BigDog, Oct 22, 2005
    Background:

    My brother in law to be and sister were driving on a busy street on Thursday evening (this street is NOT on university property). During the course of events, my brother in law took his eyes off the road for a second while braking, and tapped a car very lightly from the back. The elderly gentleman in the car came out, checked the damage and said ok, just give me your name and phone number. My brother in law to be gave his name and number, and both parties went on their way.

    The damage consisted of some minor scratching on an already heavily damaged bumper.

    Fast forward to today, my brother in law to be received a phone call from the elderly gentleman stating he would like his insurance information so he can report it. My brother in law to be said fine, I can get it to you tomorrow as I'm currently in Florida and won't be back in New York till Saturday. We can get everything ironed out this week.

    Apparently the elderly gentleman also took it upon himself to search my brother in law to be's name in the university directory, and report the incident to the Electrical Engineering Graduate Student Office. They inturn sent an email to my brother in law to be stating that the elederly gentleman has emailed them in regards to an accident, what is going on? and see that it is taken care of.

    My question now is, would it be wiser to take the car to a body shop to get an estimate to repair only the damage caused on Thursday night? Should my brother in law just report it to his insurance? Should he call the elderly gentleman out in regards to bringing the university into the situation for unknown reasons?

    No traffic report was filed, no insurance information has been exchanged.
     
  2. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #2 LetsJet, Oct 22, 2005
    Bad move........

    He should have at the very least taken a picture of the damage.

    Have him call his insurance company asap. They should work on his behalf so he doesn't get taken. Insurance fraud is a serious crime.

    Why would this guy call the University and why is it any of their business?
     
  3. BigDog

    BigDog Formula 3

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    #3 BigDog, Oct 22, 2005

    Those are the questions I asked him too. From what I'm gathering, he didn't have a camera available to take a picture at the time. My sister was a witness to the whole incident.

    I have asked him to call his insurance company right away tomorrow morning.

    As far as getting the University involved.... we have no idea :(
     
  4. ylshih

    ylshih Shogun Assassin
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    #4 ylshih, Oct 22, 2005
    Unless the old man led them to believe it took place at the university, it seems like the Graduate Student Office should have just told the old man it appeared to be a private matter and that it didn't concern the university. There was no reason for them to insert themselves into this and a polite query on that point would be appropriate.
     
  5. LetsJet

    LetsJet F1 Veteran
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    #5 LetsJet, Oct 22, 2005
    I agree.......

    I've heard of harassment cases filed for contacting employers about personal matters. This might fall in the same category. If I was that guy or the school, I'd tread carefully.
     
  6. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
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    #6 SRT Mike, Oct 22, 2005
    Easy.

    A) I would call the school (no emails) and politely tell them this incident happened off school property and therefore it does not involve them, but thank them for their concern. Let it stand at that and if they try to get involved more, or if the guy tries to involve them more, take additional steps.

    B) Give the insurance co your info and let the insurance co's work it out. They will ask for details on the accident from your side and from his side, etc, etc. Insurance adjusters and claim reps arent dumb. If the guys car is a scratched up POS and he is claiming it all from you, yet you and a witness say different, then they will know who to believe. Just fill out the report accurately, they will ask about witnesses and let her giver her statement/affidavit, and let them handle it. Should your insurance decide to pay for a new bumber, etc, I would let them. If they try to assess points to you based on an inflated damage estimate, then you have recourse (at least in my state) to dispute that, and with evidence you usually win.

    In other words, its none of the universities business - so tell them to butt out. And if the insurance company wants to overpay (not bloody likely) on this guys car, let them, just let them know you wont let it be your cross to bear and if they try to make it so, dispute it however possible.
     
  7. grahamdelooze

    grahamdelooze Karting

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    #7 grahamdelooze, Oct 22, 2005
    my wife had a "tap" which some time later (any time you like within three years here in uk) grew in to a fraudulent whiplash claim.when i invited the investigator for the other side to inspect the zero damage on the front of our original colour painted font bumper. case dissapeared. you need to photo the front of your own car.
     
  8. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 285ferrari, Oct 22, 2005
    Always call the police-------sh(t like this doesn't happen!!!!!
     
  9. BigDog

    BigDog Formula 3

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    #9 BigDog, Oct 22, 2005
    Good morning all,

    Thank you very much for your responses, I have told him to contact the insurance co. and hopefuly everything should be smooth sailing.
     
  10. Ryan S.

    Ryan S. Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 20, 2004
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    #10 Ryan S., Oct 22, 2005
    crazy old people...
     

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