Accident - advise needed

[Mingjie]

Wondering if some bros here can help advise what can I do to protect myself for excessive claims.

 

Was merging from a 2 lane road into an expressway and was on the left lane moving towards the stop line. There was a car in front of me and behind the stop line (dotted white line). When he started to move off, i inched forward to be the next to move onto the expressway. There was an incoming bus along the merged lane some distance off and the car in front suddenly jam brake (he saw it at the last sec). Bumped into him as I didnt expect him to stop suddenly esp since he has moved off.

 

I ask him why brake suddenly after he moved out from the stop line, and he told me 'it's ok what...pple do it all the time".

 

Luckily I was crawling forward slowly and the speed was low tho there was a slight sound, there was no dent on our cars. No scratches also on mine, but he says that there was a slight mark (less than 0..5cm?!) on his bumper and want to send to KM to respray the car bumper and see if there's internal damage (?!!). He asked for $300 deposit (?) when I asked if he wanna settle privately. Any advise as to me he's making a mountain out of a molehill (at one time he even said want to call insurance to ask for a replacment car to which I was like )

[Mingjie]

To add I did suggest try to see if can go to outside workshop to polish whatever "marks" off but he asked for a deposit, if not he'll claim insurance.

 

I hear from my friend that insurance company won't allow them to anyhow claim for full respray if the damage is unnoticeable. Is tat true?

[Vextan]

mingjie, this one is confirm your fault. this type of incident happen very often. you should have made sure the car in front of you have really moved off and not assumed. if i were you i will negotiate and pay up to settle privately, cos if he claim insurance you sure liable.

Edited June 22, 2009 by Vextan

[Ahgongwolve]

Wondering if some bros here can help advise what can I do to protect myself for excessive claims.

 

Was merging from a 2 lane road into an expressway and was on the left lane moving towards the stop line. There was a car in front of me and behind the stop line (dotted white line). When he started to move off, i inched forward to be the next to move onto the expressway. There was an incoming bus along the merged lane some distance off and the car in front suddenly jam brake (he saw it at the last sec). Bumped into him as I didnt expect him to stop suddenly esp since he has moved off.

 

I ask him why brake suddenly after he moved out from the stop line, and he told me 'it's ok what...pple do it all the time".

 

Luckily I was crawling forward slowly and the speed was low tho there was a slight sound, there was no dent on our cars. No scratches also on mine, but he says that there was a slight mark (less than 0..5cm?!) on his bumper and want to send to KM to respray the car bumper and see if there's internal damage (?!!). He asked for $300 deposit (?) when I asked if he wanna settle privately. Any advise as to me he's making a mountain out of a molehill (at one time he even said want to call insurance to ask for a replacment car to which I was like )

 

 

The two rules.

1. LIE

2. SPEED

[CarsNStars]

Hi Mingjie,

 

The same thing happened to me a few years back too - was going up the ramp from Suntec City turning into Nicoll Highway. Mercedes in front of my car.

 

He moved off, I follow. All of a sudden, a taxi came along at breckneck speed round the Nicoll Highway bend. Mercedes driver kanchong, brake... AND REVERSED!!!

 

Slammed into my car, his rear fender dent a little bit, my whole front smashed in quite badly (Bluddi Merc built like a tank). Guess who had to pay?

 

Moi... poor moi, $800 for his repair, $3,000 for my repairs. Anyway, point is, if you knock people at the back, irregardless of who's fault is it, it is seen as yours, because you should have kept your distance from the front car. (remember Basic Theory rule of how many cars length from the front car?)

 

I suggest you do not give the deposit, just arrange to go to a workshop of your choice, and settle the whole thing privately and amicably. Don't drag on further than is necessary. People always make a mountain out of a molehill, not because of anything but to show power and make sure you get scared enough to comply to their wishes - don't fall for it. Maintain your cool and negotiate towards a settlement. You will have to pay, no doubt, it's just now how to negotiate to pay as little as possible.

 

And remember... KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM THE FRONT CAR!

Edited June 22, 2009 by CarsNStars

[Osiris]

IMHO,

take it as a lesson learn. never assume the fellow moved off and will continue. This's a common mistake.

 

2nd mistake.

If it was me, I will take offense if you ask me why I brake suddenly. It's your fault. period.

Maybe if you have asked him, are you ok, he's more inclined to settle privately.

 

You have to understand, if it is you who is clearly at fault and try to 'point fingers'

Some people will be pissed and make a mountain out of a molehill.

 

Did you take any picture of his damage and his whole car?

Also, you can occupy him to IDAc for damage assessment and try to settle privately there.

 

Good luck and try to be more humble when you are at fault, people will see you as sincere and try to help you out instead of seeing you as a a--hole who blame them for your fault.

[CarsNStars]

...

 

Good luck and try to be more humble when you are at fault, people will see you as sincere and try to help you out instead of seeing you as a a--hole who blame them for your fault.

 

Agreed!!

 

[7007]

I had this kind of accidents twice on my previous ride. On first inspection, it seemed just like a small dent . But wait till you get to the workshop, after dismantling the rear bumper, then you will be shock to find 'internal injury' like the main frame structure bended. A colleague of mine had the same kind of accident hit by a lady driver from behind; seeing that it was a small 'pimple' so he said it was ok and let her off w/o getting her detail. Later at back home he discovered his bumper was slanted and closing car boot become difficult. So he had to spend a nearly $1K from his own pocket to do the repair.

 

My advice to all drivers is not commit anything on the spot, it's better to get professional advise first!

[Mingjie]

I noe..but the funny thing is there is no dents and visible paint exchange...Strangely, I had to stare hard to find something that looks like it was the result of our "kissing"...(something tat looks like watermarks after u wash car)...tats why is I suggested to try polishing it off.....

 

and he immediately wanna go AD to respray the whole bumper...sianz.

 

Thanks for replying ya.

[Mingjie]

Thanks bro for the advise. I'm not saying its not my fault la, just suay tat i'm behind and ya he gotta stop. Just tat for the damage payment part, I am checking my options.

 

Funny thing was there wasnt much visible damage (no dent, scratch mark etc..only like a smudge mark tat looks like watermark after rain type. probably becoz i was moving from stationary to maybe 2-3km/h before I realise and brake also) but he insisted on gg back to Kah Motors when I asked abt private settlement...

 

So was wondering how best to solve this kind of situation if let's say he's not co-operative..die die wanna go back to AD to respray. Was told that AD cant anyhow agree..they have to get surveyor to see if it's reasonable. Or at most spot respray rather than full bumper respray..

 

 

 

[Mingjie]

I see......

 

hope his is not so serious as I was from stationary and moved less than 1m before we "kiss". :(

 

Jsut curious, the accidents you mentioned, in similar "start stop" situation as mine or?

[CarsNStars]

You will have to sweet-talk him into settling the issue fast - i.e no AD, no survey, no etc.

 

Be nice, be apologetic (but firm still!), and be tactical. Advise that :

 

1) for such a small issue, just go to a normal workshop and respray.

2) for such a small issue, it is not worth going through all the hassle and time for evaluation.

3) CLOSE! Ask him this "In order for us to move on with our lives, can I propose to your satisfaction..."

 

If it is really such a small issue, i would even just advise him to take a reasonable lump sum as compensation, and then forget about re-spraying (the way you say it, it's almost invisible). Tell him that it's cash-in-hand he can use to go on a nice holiday or good dinner. If he agrees, prepare and get the black-and-white certifying that he accepted the compensation and the issue is resolved.

 

You have to know how to move the other party towards a settlement too. Don't go back to the AD, they confirm make a mountain out of a molehill because to them, it's Ka-ching! Ka-ching! time!

Edited June 22, 2009 by CarsNStars

[Mingjie]

Thanks bro. I noe the one behind sure lugi one. even if road is clear and he suddenly step on brake wrongly.

 

I asked that only when he keep insisting that he wants to send the car to Kah Motors immediately and if not, wanna call for replacement car on the spot (when there was no dent and scratch and his car can obviously move)

 

For something that I can't find dents or scratches, I find it unreasonable..coz can just exchange details (we exchanged hp number and driver's license details)

 

I also wanna settle amicably but he like very gan cheong spider...keep telling me wanna go Kah Motor cliam cliam claim. I hear alr also sian 1/2 so come here see what advise I can get.... :|

[CarsNStars]

Unfortunately, if you really met a kanchong spider, then the case is half-gone. Continue to engage him, make him realize you are sincere about making reparations in the fastest way possible without blowing up the matter too big. Convince him of the good points of not going back to AD, etc.

 

Most drivers I've met are quite okay, but if you met a tough fishie, then I'd say you are really suay that day.

 

But don't give up hope though! Keep negotiating! For a start, I suggest this :

 

(to him) "Why not _before_ going to Kah Motors, let's go to this reliable independent workshop (insert name of workshop) to assess the damage first? It will only take about an hour or so - if it is deemed serious, I will definitely agree with you to go to Kah Motors."

 

This is a good start to a close - if it is not too serious, he'll get the assurance, and hopefully can move to closing. If it is serious, then by right you have the responsibility (since you bumped him) to make sure everything is righted.

 

Without the assessment by an independent party, kanchong spiders cannot relax one. Move him towards that ASAP.

[Osiris]

Here's from his POV.

If it's a new car under warranty, best is to have the AD, Kah motors, in this case to assess the damage.

If it is purely cosmetic, maybe can private settle.

 

If like 7007 says internal injury, then he die die must repair in AD or risk void warranty.

By helping you, he snooked himself. Who will do that?

 

But yes, AD is reasonable in the sense that they generally will be fair but bear in mind that their SOP is to replaced rather than repair especially if it is new car.

 

bro, no matter how nice you say it, asking him why he stop suddenly after banging into him from behind is going to piss people.

 

 

if you agree spot respray, let me bang/vandalise your car and I pay for spot respray can?

[Starlet]

Hi

 

Can ask the workshop to email or fax to you the invoice for the respray bumper.

 

Then pay him using on-line banking and keep the record as proof.

 

I just respray my whole bumper with patching work and the cost is close to $300.

 

 

[7007]

Yes, it was start & stop cases.

 

That's why in driving school we are taught that we should be able to see the rear wheel of the front vehicle to gauge the safety distance. By law we must stop at the stop junction before moving off. I believe many drivers are focusing more on the right presuming the front vehicle will speed off the moment the coast is 'clear'. Mind that every drivers have different level of judgment. Presumption is the main killer.

 

Though I am no expert but I believe it is called the crumple zone. With this newer car safety technology our cars are designed to absorb the impact in order to lesser the impact to the occupiers in the vehicle.

[Osiris]

I still feel that the driver is not kancheong spider but pissed off with TS and making life difficult.

It's up to TS to pacify him. If TS truly believe pure cosmetic, just follow him to AD and pay for the full respray.

 

But I sense TS still want to persuade him for cheap cheap spray which might pissed him off even more.

Which might lead to medical fees, Loss of Use etc.