Why Me?!?

[spanky2k]

First of all, I'd like to appologise for my absence from these boards. Holiday first and then no ADSL connection still, at home OR at work. Currently sharing a single ISDN line between 6 of us at work, so I can't really waste bandwidth.

Also, DK, I sent you a long mail, but I don't know if it got through, because our ISDN fell over in the process.

The reason for my bandwidth hogging at the moment is because I've had another accident.

I was picking up some friends, I pulled into a turning and took an immediate right, drove 20m tops, double parked, put my hazard lights on while they opened the other door and started sorting the things inside out. I grabbed some stuff together and started to get out the car. Bang. Hit someone with the tip of my door. I think I checked the wingmirror before I got out, in fact I'm fairly sure I did, and didn't see anything. The guy must have come around the corner pretty speedily.

Anyway, he's saying that its all my fault and I think the insurance companies will agree. 45 year old driver v 18 year old driver. I was double parked. I opened my door on him. Even though he must have shot around the corner, that won't count methinks.

Now, last time I had an accident, I paid for it all off my own back, because I wanted to get my insurance down. I'm thinking maybe I'll do it again. I could try to argue that it was his fault, but I don't think I'll win.

He's taking his to a garage this morning to find out how this super-cheap garage can fix his car for. As far as my side goes, I think I may need a new door. Any ideas how much that will put me back? Or should I just try to have it bent back instead?? ****, why do I have such bad f$*"ing luck!!! WHY!!!

Any ideas how much a door costs? Should I just get some garage to 'bang it back' and live with an ugly dent for a while. Or maybe just live with it as it is? Or get a new door?

I'll upload some photos in the next few minutes.

Cheers guys & gals for any help & for being such a kind and concerning commmunity!!

Phil

[spanky2k]

First image

[spanky2k]

Another

[spanky2k]

And a last one.

[Dom]

I'd go down to a dentmaster type place first mate, that could be fixable, dunno how if it's in their limits though...

Unfortunately, odds are you could never get the other bloke to pay for at, and the least it would go through is as knock for knock, which is a bugger.

However, what if you said your car had broken down (gear linkage?)... it might come out as his fault then

Actually, still knock for knock come to think about it...

Best of luck mate, seems like you need it

Dom

[KenL]

Mmm, tough one but I'd say it was your fault. If you hadn't opened your door I'd have said the other car was at fault for hitting something stationary. He should have left enough of a gap when passing you but since you were double parked there may not have been enough room to do so.

Good job the police weren't called as they may have decided to charge you with some offence. My mate got charged once for double parking in a street.

The damage though doesn't look too bad. I'd think a decent bodyshop could fix it so you could see it without really inspecting it. Might be worthwhile finding out how much a door is just in case it's not too much more. You'd only need the bare shell as the window, casing, handle etc should be taken from your existing door.

[dcfkan]

Sorry to hear about your latest accident, spanky

I was wondering if you were OK as you have not posted in MINI2 or signed onto MSN for a while

And no I did not get your mail - nothing via MSN/PM etc.

The door may be fixable, so I would follow the advice from Dom et al.

Let us know how you get on with the repair/insurance claim etc.

DK

[Martin L]

Phil, Phil, Phil.....

Sorry to hear about your latest mis-hap
I think you'll have to wait until you get a quote from the other guy before you decide to fork out, out of your own pocket.

[Cape Cod MINI]

Some one with musical talent is going to have to write "The Spanky2k Blues" or the Ballad of Phil.
At least you have lots of "aunts" and "uncles" on this board to guide you through.
It always pains me when a fellow MINI owner has an accident.
Best of luck.

[Minty]

spank, sorry to hear about your mishap mate.

thought you had found yourself a lady friend.

[FONTAL]

Youre door is the exact opposite of mine, mine goes in the way ( see drivers side of my car destroyed ) post (I would put a link in but don't know how) somehow though I don't think mine will straighten.
Tough luck though spanky2k

[Damo]

Poor Spanky

[dietcokeplease]

Oh dear Spankster! Think positive: at least it was a minor accident and you weren't hurt.

As to the door, I'm sure that many garages will bend it back for you successfully. However a general rule of thumb is that any damage bigger than a paperback book needs a new panel.

If the car was 3-4 years old, I'd have it bent back. As it's a new car it really needs to be done properly and professionally otherwise you may have problems come sale time.

Best thing to do is to get several quotes and get a consensus on whether it can be repaired rather than replaced. Costs nowt except for your time.

DC

[IgorTheHunchback]

Igor does not think it was just your fault.

Igor would like to give the following senario. If you had broken down (and double parked) then it would be totally his fault.

Igor thinks that just because you stopped does not mean that it was just your fault.

Igor thinks older man it trying to intimidate sparky.

Igor thinks you should raise it with insurance anyway. The worst that can happen (in Igors estimation) is 50 - 50 (sparky and man pay half each).

As for belief, Igor thinks your insurance company will believe you, as it is sparkys insurance who will have to pay out.

Even if sparky insurance pays out, sparky can pay them back to reclaim his no claims bonus.

Finally Igor would like to know where sparky lives so he can avoid the are

[KenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by IgorTheHunchback



Even if sparky insurance pays out, sparky can pay them back to reclaim his no claims bonus.

Careful here as you would still be submitting a claim so your ncb (if you've got any ) could still be at risk.