Wellll, I took my daughter to work on Saturday and was driving out of the parking lot, and some lady backs into my Mach. I was SOOOOO Pissed (still not overly happy about it). My insurance company was quick to place blame - directly on her (she was backing into a parking lot traffic lane). I laid on my horn and she just kept on backing. FIRST thing she did when she got out of her car was to start taking pictures.

Took it to a local body shop today - looks like about $1200 (or so) and 7 - 9 days without the car

 

Sucks! At least you can get it fixed.

 

I know the feeling My sister in law backed into mine while it was parked in the middle of a 20 acre field by its self it had no insurance on it at the time and she said she would pay for it until she found out a new door was $900 a fender $260 and a qt of paint $240

 

I'd be pretty aggravated myself. Was she on the phone I wonder? (I hit her with her phone..)

 

Sad to hear. Good luck getting it fixed though! You'll have it back before you know it.

 

Looking at her bumper it's not the first time she's hit something.

Sorry my brother, same thing happened to me about a year ago but it wasn't quite that bad. I feel your pain, but things will be better again soon.

 

Sorry to see that!! I would have been really ticked as well. Why was she so quick to take pictures? Was she in some twisted way trying to blame you?

 

I am pretty sure thats what she believes - that its my fault - NOT. Called my insurance yesterday. My insurance adjuster said pretty much just by the pictures alone - she blew it Hope to get the car in sometime next week to start the repairs (means I have to be without the car for 7 to 9 days)

 

Good luck with repairs!

 

The only way it could have been your fault, is if you could magically drive sideways.

Good luck with the repairs and make sure you get a top-notch shop to do them. Don't rely on the insurance company for recommendations. I learned this the hard way.

 

Actually, in this case I am using one of the shops recomended by my insurance company. I was VERY surprised to see this particular shop on State Farms list of approved vendors. This shop does some of THE best paint and body work I have seen in So Cal. They have done a number of movie cars, many show cars, lots of frame off restoration work. A neighbor of mine has used them on probably 6 resto-mod cars he has built - top notch work for sure. Not the FASTEST shop around for sure, but the work is great. They did some 03/04 side scoops for me on my 99 Cobra - excellent work.

Will post pictures of the repaired car once its done

 

Good luck with the repairs. I know how I felt when I got rear-ended in my '03 Mach by someone. However, I felt even worse when 2 weeks after I got it back when I "front-ended" someone myself. My body shop person wondered what the heck was going on with me.

Besides the right front fender, what else needs repairing?

 

State Farm was my company as well. They directed me to a shop that was 20 miles away. There were all kinds of issues when I got my car back (2001 V6 Mustang). It was so bad that I traded the car for my current GT.

 

Nope - I was lucky - only hit the fender (with her spare tire). They will be removing the black vinyl stripes on the hood though to blend the fender. AM THINKING about maybe having the black stripes painted on and clear coated (nice and glossy). Will probably make that decision as I drop off the car

 

I guess there are all kinds of good and bad shops around. This particular shop has a VERY good reputation in this area. I was surprised to see them on the list. In reality, you can take the car to pretty much any shop you want - you arent tied to the shops on their list.

I will post pics when the car is finally done

 

In the first picture, I see a girl with a camera/phone.

Is that the stupid broad that hit you?

 

That would be her yep

 

It is VERY easy to get on the list for any insurance company and be listed as their "preferred" or "Pro" shop....in order to do this you as the shop owner agree to a lesser labor rate and to save the insurance company money whenever possible by using aftermarket parts or whatever. In return they list you as a preferred shop and send you business.

I have been offered this a couple of times and refuse to play the game....but I am not a "collision shop" that is based on production either and I believe that if your car had a Ford fender on it before the accident then regardless of how old it is, it should have a Ford fender on it after the repair. There is good money in collision repair at times but no satisfaction if you are really a car guy. I do insurance work in my shop on occasion but only on existing customers or Mustangs & the occasional Muscle Car....I don't work on everyday Hondas or Toyotas that get wrecked.

 

HOPEFULLY they live up to their reputation. I have used them before (not due to an accident - just some custom work I needed done) and was EXTREEMLY happy with their work. Hopefully they do the same level of work this time.

GOOD NEWS IS - I just spoke with the other parties insurance company - they are accepting responsibility for the accident Now I just need to get the car in for the repairs so I can be driving it again

 

I am sure you will be happy.....they may have gotten on board just as a means to get more business. If you've used them before and were happy then you should be fine. I just wanted to point out how these "preferred" shops get their insurance company approval.....it has nothing to do with the quality of the work. The insurance companies will say that they warranty the work if you used a "preferred shop" but any shop worth it's name will warranty their work anyway.