Car Problems! What can I do!? (Friendly: home, rent, work)

[cpark2]

So my car is currently being fixed right now because of some idiot who didn't take care of his car obviously. I was driving home a few nights ago and I happened to be behind the pizza guy, and something flew off the bottom of the car (it looked like a muffler or something like that) and I tried to swerve to miss the object but I still hit it...and it bounced all the way down the bottom of my car. Turns out it messed up my exhaust somehow and the damages are around $600 dollars because of someone else's carelessness. I just wondered if there was anything I could do? I know the model of the car and where the person works who lost the car part...Is there someway to make the person who caused the damages pay for what his carelessness did to my car. I am also a college student and I can NOT afford to pay for damages like this, and it is really aggravating so if anyone knows anything I can do that would be great! Thanks!!!!

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by cpark2

So my car is currently being fixed right now because of some idiot who didn't take care of his car obviously. I was driving home a few nights ago and I happened to be behind the pizza guy, and something flew off the bottom of the car (it looked like a muffler or something like that) and I tried to swerve to miss the object but I still hit it...and it bounced all the way down the bottom of my car. Turns out it messed up my exhaust somehow and the damages are around $600 dollars because of someone else's carelessness. I just wondered if there was anything I could do? I know the model of the car and where the person works who lost the car part...Is there someway to make the person who caused the damages pay for what his carelessness did to my car. I am also a college student and I can NOT afford to pay for damages like this, and it is really aggravating so if anyone knows anything I can do that would be great! Thanks!!!!

this might be a good question for your insurance agent to answer. You can specify to them whether or not you mean to make a claim through your policy if you know the agent more personally. Without an accident form filled out by an officer, its likely you wont be able to prove your case.
what exactly happened to your exhaust system that requires an entire replacement? There is a heat patch tape you can use for punctures that might be annoying to have to keep replacing, but it will buy you lots of time and get you more shelflife out of the existing exhaust system.
If only the cat is damaged, you can replace just that, or have a welder replace just the sections that are damaged.
If this is an old car, your exhaust system may have been due for replacement- in which case its not really a loss, but a diminished shelf life. tell us more, maybe others will have ideas.

[David Kennedy]

Check to see if you have a 'road hazard' clause in your policy and call that adjuster.
Speak to the owner of "Shakey's Pizza'...they just might carry liability on their drivers...
Keep good notes on this and create a file.

Wv coal trucks are notorius for breaking windshields and the better companies replace them without hassle...I bet you have recourse from this because of the potential court action of having the police cite the driver for creating a hazard on the roadway.

These new japanese cars come with a stainless steel exhaust and to replace it with original replacement parts would certainly be in the range of price you described.
However...a regular system of chinese pipe could be installed for about $150 on a good day at Midas or Jacks Friendly...
something that would carry a lifetime warrantee...

think about this, as a compromise may be the solution to a new exhaust...
and how old was your car?

[cpark2]

My car is a 2001 Monte Carlo SS....it is a nice car...and I have taken really good care of it....my mother also talked to our insurance and either way nothing will happen except my insurance will go up so we didn't even mess with filing a claim...because either way I am getting screwed by my insurance company....just like millions of others do everyday...i just feel bad because something out of my control happened and my mother had to pay for it along with trying to help pay for my college....but i do appreciate the input!...but we went ahead and just got it fixed....

[Silkdashocker]

Sorry to hear about your car problem, i remember all the trouble i had with cars when i was in college.
And yes, insurance companies will continue to ********* until you turn 25, and/or get married.

[David Kennedy]

Do something nice for your mom...take her on a date instead of your guy or girlfriend. If MxPx is playing at the I-C light amphlitheater..(they are not touring this year) take her to a punk rock show....If not, some of our home grown C & W stars might be in her style...
a nice dinner at a sushi place or get her a veggie burger...show her the intricacies of this crazy world you live in...
she will always respect you for taking her there...
think about it...Maybe even the CAC...lots of great broadway shows there this season...check the listings...
I've got confidence that this payback will pay everyone back for decades to come...
and that old Chevy...It will become a classic when you have a gray hair or two...just like ours became...hope you can keep it...

[poppimds007]

Hey why not deliver pizzas to pay mom back???