(long post)

Hi all ... as you may have guessed from the title, a dump truck ran into me!

Happened on the way in to work this morning -- a dump truck didn't see me and changed lanes right into my rear driver's side fender. His tires and rim/lug nuts tore into my driver's side rear fender, and scraped up the bumper and did some damage to my rear driver's side tire and rim too. Very sad day; will post pictures up later when I get a chance.

(By the way, I had always assumed a truck's blind spots were to its sides and side rear, but most truck drivers are good about using their mirrors. Unfortunately, I was just forward of his fender-mounted mirrors on his passenger side, and too low to be seen over the truck's high bulging hood -- this is where a big truck's true blind spot is ... so keep that in mind that next time you're near the passenger side front fender of a big truck.)

Anyhow, I did some checking through the "accident and body shop recommendations" threads, and think I'm going to go with D&V in Chantilly, as they seem to have a good reputation here.

I'm looking for some advice in terms of process, since this is the first accident I've ever had in my years of driving. Some of my questions/concerns are:

- i take it that it's a good idea to remove as many personal effects from the car before dropping it off, just to prevent any opportunistic thievery?

- if i'm more or less decided on the shop that i'm going to use, is there any need to get multiple estimates from other shops?

- i'm paranoid about my S, as are most of you, so was wondering ... do you worry about the employees taking the car out for joyrides, or otherwise abusing it while it's in their hands? is there a way to make sure this doesn't happen?

- i take it once the estimate is made/approved, the insurance company will cut me a check, and then i'm free to supply the parts myself (assuming the shop goes along with it?) do i have a legal right to request that it be handled that way, or do i just have to go along with whatever reimbursement process the insurance company or shop uses in the ordinary course?

- when the time comes to pick up the car once it's repaired, if there are problems with the repairs or i'm not otherwise satisfied, how is the best way to handle that? and if they have to go back to do it right, and it costs more labor or parts, is it up to the body shop to take that up with the insurance company?

- is berlina black a b*tch to color match?

some of the above probably seem like basic questions, but since this is my first time dealing with all this, just trying to learn what i can from the "veterans" of the process. i'm going to miss my S while it's out of commission, but i'm ok with the shop taking as long as is reasonably needed in order to do the job right. any other advice you may have is also appreciated, thanks!

 

[QUOTE=BerlinaBlackS2kguy,Jan 20 2006, 02:15 PM]I'm looking for some advice in terms of process, since this is the first accident I've ever had in my years of driving.

 

Sorry to hear of your accident At least you didn't get hurt or anything...

I actually recently got my car repaired by D&V and am way more than pleased by everything... I'll try to answer some of your questions.

It is always a good idea to do this when you are dropping your car off at any shop, however from what I saw D&V seems to be located at a fairly safe location. I didn't feel wary about leaving my car there as I would have at other more shady locations.

Not necessary. If you are looking to get some money out of it or if you would like to compare work quality then going to different shops is useful. I straight up went to D&V, got an estimate and at the same time set up a date to drop the car off.

A few people on here will attest that I'm a very paranoid person However, from what I saw of Ron (the manager of D&V) and Kevin it seems like a pretty good place. They drive nice cars themselves, and the cars that I saw there were "nice" cars so it leads me to believe that it is more of an upscale place than some other body shops. And that in turns leads me to believe that noone there would be interested in driving another S2000...

[QUOTE] - i take it once the estimate is made/approved, the insurance company will cut me a check, and then i'm free to supply the parts myself (assuming the shop goes along with it?)

 

As Naveed said, their place definitely feels "safe" - the work garage is on the same lot as a residential home. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

 

Only point I'd add (from Skip's experience )...

Take an inventory of your car before dropping it off. Get in writing that anything STOLEN from your car is THEIR responsibility.

Why? Perfectly reputable dealership that did Skip's bodywork left Skip's car open to an opportunity for his [custom!] seats to be stolen. Cops figured it for an "inside job." But regardless...the perfectly reputable dealership put it off on Skip & Skip's insurance to deal with the stolen seats.

 

Thanks for all the replies and advice -- very helpful and much appreciated!

 

Good luck with the repairs...and let us know how it goes...

 

Thanks!

Will try to post up pics later, and hopefully in a few weeks I'll be posting up some happy "after" pics

 

Since you are worried about a body shop taking the car for a joyride, just write down the mileage when you drop the car of in their presence. There is no need for them to drive the car except in and out of the garage. That's the nicest way to do it without ever having to mention your worries or concerns.

 

1) Your car will be on the low end of cars D&V works on.
2) It's just a car and certainly not a virgin anymore.

Glad you are fine and it is just the car that's damaged.