Advice needed on post-accident efforts :(

[Jase]

Folks,

It had to happen some time. My 3 got hit by a Honda today The front right side of the car suffered. Bumper was slightly dented and scratched, and the rim where the tyre is was dented

Owner of the Honda has admitted liability and signed a letter to that effect, i.e. to say that he is wholly responsible for the accident and will pay me for my repairs. Now going forward, I'd like some feedback on what I should be doing next:

1. Given that I have the letter (the Honda owner doesn't want to drag his insurance into this), should I go back to PML to get the repairs done? I was quoted by PML about $4k which included $1.7k to replace the entire bumper, $1.4k to replace the right side panel of the car (where the rim is), and possibly $600 to repair the headlight bracket which may have been damaged in the accident. PML also told me that it would take 4 working days to complete the job.

2. If I don't go back to PML, where else can I go which is trustworthy?

3. I believe that I should get the Honda owner to pay a large chunk of the amount as a guarantee (or swipe his credit card) so that I can get the work started asap. What happens if he suddenly freaks out at the amount?

*sigh*

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Jase

 

[Tribeca]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Hi there,

I had a similar situation, though not as serious as urs.
After I got all the quotes form PML, i called the party
involved, and ask him to settle according to the quotes
which I showed him.

Get him to pay upfront the entire cost, if not enuff ask him
to top-up later. Then write a cover note to release him
after everything is done.

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Hi there,

I had a similar situation, though not as serious as urs.
After I got all the quotes form PML, i called the party
involved, and ask him to settle according to the quotes
which I showed him.

Get him to pay upfront the entire cost, if not enuff ask him
to top-up later. Then write a cover note to release him
after everything is done.

Thanks Tribeca. So you're saying that PML can issue an official quotation? I just got one of the service rep guys to give me an estimate. It was about 7pm (after their office hours) so I was lucky to find anyone at all. I'll do what you had suggested. Cheers!

 

[ac323]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Hi Jase,

Let PML settle will be a better choice........you should collect some cash upfront from him or let him settle the bill with whoever is doing this project........

otherwise you may look for Mike of Sin Wee Chuan.9107 4888.....

also check if he is willing to rent a car for you for that 4 days (lost of car due to this accident)

sorry to hear about your accident.....

cheers.....

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Hi Jase,

Let PML settle will be a better choice........you should collect some cash upfront from him or let him settle the bill with whoever is doing this project........

otherwise you may look for Mike of Sin Wee Chuan.9107 4888.....

also check if he is willing to rent a car for you for that 4 days (lost of car due to this accident)

sorry to hear about your accident.....

cheers.....

Thanks, ac323 It's quite sad and frustrating.

I'll see what I can do. I'm not sure if the Honda owner is prepared to fork out $4k. He's a Jap businessman and doesn't want to get his insurance embroiled in this mess. This is annoying.

I appreciate the feedback and kind thoughts.

 

[ac323]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Hi Jase,

many many years back for me (E36 days).....i was driving along River Valley Road just 15m before turning into the famous Oxley Road.....the car infront of me suddenly jammed brake (Japanese lady....hahaha).....i managed to do a E break but still bump into her Toyota Camry (very very slightly hit (i think polish come rub off but she just refused to let me settle it) say must settle by insurance claims.........(Boring) untill now i still can't forget this incident (i think 1998 or 99 what)

got to move on........
cheers

 

[The Mixmaster]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Jase

If the total bill is $4k (which is not a small sum), you should let the Jap bizman know so that (1) he is aware and gives his consent and cannot dispute this sum later, and (2) he has a choice of deciding whether he still wants it to be settled privately without claiming on his motor insurance or claiming on his motor insurance.

From the sounds of it, the work will be quite extensive. So, I think it is better for you to go to PML. As I mentioned to you, since the costs will be paid for for the Jap bizman, you might as well go to PML even though PML will be more expensive.

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Mixmaster

Thanks - I'll get in touch with the Jap biz man tomorrow morning. It's a little late now. I appreciate the feedback.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

I wonder what would happen if he turns around to say that he now wants to claim this matter under his insurance AND I have that letter from him where he admits responsibility for the accident and his agreement to bear the cost of repairs.

 

[The Mixmaster]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

You should cooperate with him and let him decide how he wants to cover your repair costs. The most important thing is to ensure that you are totally reimbursed.

If he goes down the insurance claim route, you might want to check if (a) you'll have to fork out the excess or deductible payment first and then have to recover it later from the other car owner or the car owner's insurance company or (b) can you claim against his motor insurance upfront for the entire sum (including the excess/deductible). The claims officer at PML will be able to help you.

If the situation is (a) above, and there might be some uncertainty about your ability to recover the excess/deductible payment from the insurance company, then you might want to get the other car owner to pay you the excess/deductible upfront. Hope this is helpful.

 

[ecoquest]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

One time-critical thing is that you have 24hrs to report the accident to any reporting centre if this bizman decides to let his insurer take over.

You should also make sure that you don't allow your goodwill to extend unnecessarily should this businessman not reply to your phone calls, etc.

Once the deadline for reporting is near and he hasn't given you a satisfactory answer or payment, go ahead and report the accident with the statement that the other party has signed admitting liability.

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Thanks ecoquest. That makes good sense to me. I'll see if he replies and if he doesn't, I'll report this to my insurance company.

If I go to insurance, can I still go to PML for repairs?

 

[ecoquest]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

I know that if you get your repairs done at PML, they require you to pay first then they'll submit the claims on your behalf.

You can still get it done at PML, but there are also other workshops you can go to that will help you process the claim and get your repairs done without you forking out a single cent.

But the important thing to note is not to be 'too nice' and wait for the businessman until the 24hr deadline has passed. I would say that by the 21st hour, you should be getting a satisfactory response from the businessman already (ie, he's paid for the repairs in full). If not, you should start heading to an authorized reporting centre to report the accident before the deadline.

 

[Oilman]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Jase,

Lemme share my experience. My car was nudged from behind by a taxi last week... http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-si...accident-claim-will-allowed-2.html#post438204
... and my first instinct was also to take the private-settlement route. Just as you did, I have a signed statement from the other party claiming full responsibility.

However, what happened over the next few days has convinced me that it's pointless trying to accommodate. The $ damage in my case is minimal - we're talking just a couple of hundred bucks to touch up a bumper here - but I had to put up with the taxi driver's delay tactics, sob stories, lies, verbal abuse, etc.

This morning my insurer finally confirmed everything will be settled on my terms. I strongly encourage you to just cut to the chase - claim from the third party's insurance and don't think too much. All I know is: I didn't ask to be bumped so make good on the damage asap, I'm really not interested in your personal circumstances.

ON THAT NOTE:

I believe everyone of us should have ready a properly worded statement to be signed by whoever causes an accident. Sure, touch wood or whatever, but the moment you step out of the car after contact, the only thing on your mind is to be indemnified.

Legal eagles - any suggestions on wording?

 

[C3P0]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

ON THAT NOTE:

I believe everyone of us should have ready a properly worded statement to be signed by whoever causes an accident. Sure, touch wood or whatever, but the moment you step out of the car after contact, the only thing on your mind is to be indemnified.

Legal eagles - any suggestions on wording?

Good idea. Any we can then pre-print the wordings on paper and keep in our car.

The last time it happened to me, I don't have paper to write on, so have to scribble on Bengawan Solo's envelope (from those baby's full month complimentary cake). Damn bo seh. Worse still, i lost that bengawan solo envelope subsequently. KNS....

So maybe someone can help to draft one very solid paragraph.

 

[Oilman]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

The last time it happened to me, I don't have paper to write on, so have to scribble on Bengawan Solo's envelope (from those baby's full month complimentary cake). Damn bo seh.

I wrote mine on the back of a Vicom inspection cert... and the cabby gave me his particulars on a crumpled taxi receipt! It's like the world ran out of paper.

 

[Jase]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Folks, thanks for the great feedback!

Good news. The Honda driver met me at PML this morning and settled the repairs in full Turns out that the damage wasn't as expensive as I thought. Only about $3k but he paid for it anyway. He was honest and I'm really grateful. My faith in humanity has taken a beating of late... this has helped.

So, in short, I'm quite happy that my matter is resolved. I will say, however, that I'm likely to have been fortunate as not all drivers all like that. I would certainly recommend having a couple of things in your car:

1. Paper (preferably with lines as it is easier to write on)
2. Pens. These dry up quickly so make sure you have a couple.
3. A camera. Yes, a camera phone helps but it's never quite as clear if you have a proper camera. These are quite cheap these days. Get a simple one and leave it in your car.
4. Copies of your insurance documentation, license etc. Useful as you never know when you'll need it.

Hope this helps. Again, thanks to everyone for the quick and very helpful replies

 

[Ah Lian]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP

Folks, thanks for the great feedback!

Good news. The Honda driver met me at PML this morning and settled the repairs in full Turns out that the damage wasn't as expensive as I thought. Only about $3k but he paid for it anyway. He was honest and I'm really grateful. My faith in humanity has taken a beating of late... this has helped.

So, in short, I'm quite happy that my matter is resolved. I will say, however, that I'm likely to have been fortunate as not all drivers all like that. I would certainly recommend having a couple of things in your car:

1. Paper (preferably with lines as it is easier to write on)
2. Pens. These dry up quickly so make sure you have a couple.
3. A camera. Yes, a camera phone helps but it's never quite as clear if you have a proper camera. These are quite cheap these days. Get a simple one and leave it in your car.
4. Copies of your insurance documentation, license etc. Useful as you never know when you'll need it.

Hope this helps. Again, thanks to everyone for the quick and very helpful replies

 

[Ah Lian]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

Touchwood!

BUT as you had mentioned, CAN SOME LEGAL EAGLE, HELP US TO DRAFT A SIMPLE WITHOUT PREJUDICE note for the other party to sign immedialely i.e. we keep the you are responsible note in our car. And let him sign it immediately! on the spot.

Can any Eagle help? or is it as simple as:-

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

I
__________________________ is responsible for the accident on _______________ at
(Name &/.or IC and/or Veh Reg?

along _______________________ and vehicle number ______________________

(road)

Something like that?

Jase,

Lemme share my experience. My car was nudged from behind by a taxi last week... http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-si...accident-claim-will-allowed-2.html#post438204
... and my first instinct was also to take the private-settlement route. Just as you did, I have a signed statement from the other party claiming full responsibility.

However, what happened over the next few days has convinced me that it's pointless trying to accommodate. The $ damage in my case is minimal - we're talking just a couple of hundred bucks to touch up a bumper here - but I had to put up with the taxi driver's delay tactics, sob stories, lies, verbal abuse, etc.

This morning my insurer finally confirmed everything will be settled on my terms. I strongly encourage you to just cut to the chase - claim from the third party's insurance and don't think too much. All I know is: I didn't ask to be bumped so make good on the damage asap, I'm really not interested in your personal circumstances.

ON THAT NOTE:

I believe everyone of us should have ready a properly worded statement to be signed by whoever causes an accident. Sure, touch wood or whatever, but the moment you step out of the car after contact, the only thing on your mind is to be indemnified.

Legal eagles - any suggestions on wording?

 

[C3P0]

Re: Advice needed on post-accident efforts

May I also suggest that we take video.

Make the other party:
1) Hold up his IC and declare: "My name is xxx, I/C number xxxx..."
2) Then video will show him sign on the paper. He will then lift up the paper towards video camera to show his signature on it.
3) Make him read out the words on the paper. Especially the part ''..I'm responsible for this accident and will pay all damage..."
3) Lastly, video turn to his face again as a last shot.

Like that confirmed he no horse run