Well, update number 2. It'd now D-Day (Dent Day) +1, I tried reaching Officer P at the West Haven PD today, called twice, left a message once, he never picked up. The receptionist wasn't too helpful either, basically said she had no idea where he was. I left my pager number at the hospital, but he never called back.

I just got home a bit ago, called his "home" number. Sounds like a cell phone, nobody there. Didn't leave a message.

I'm not going to be able to get the car looked at until 1/2, secondary to work constraints.

I'll try his "home" number once more tonight, then work once more tomorrow, then I'm going up the chain at the PD.

I think I'm going to pack myself a little accident kit, including the list mentioned above, a camera, keep one in each car.

 

Andrew, I feel your pain bud. As others have mentioned, I hope he is an honest cop but from the few comments you made about not being able to get a hold of him it sounds like he is going to pretend like it wasn't him.

I think you will have to be persistent in trying to get a hold of this guy. Hopefully, he will acknowledge you and come to an amicable agreement.

I agree you should get a couple of estimates so that you can give him an idea of the cost of the damage. I am sure you can get an estimate from the guy I went to here in Middletown (he is right next door to Middletown Nissan). He gave me a free estimate and has experience with our cars (when I went there he was working on a chrome silver that had the front end smashed up as well as Zboy's black track). PM me if you want their details.

Keep me posted and let me know if there is anything I could do to help you.
Victor

 

Andrew, one other thought. I remember when I was younger, a couple of police officers came to my house and wanted to look at my car because someone had reported a hit and run accident and the car involved supposedly looked like mine. They wanted to see if my car had damage to it. Obviously, it wasn't me so they went looking elsewhere.

You mentioned that his car had damage to it which would make your story credible. I think that if he ignores you, you should pursue going higher up in the chain. Hopefully, they'll respond and look at your car and his car. I know this seems somewhat farfetched because these guys look out for each other but you never know. If this still doesn't work you may have no choice but to sue him. I know you don't want to go here but I'm just bringing it up. Obviously if you kad a witness that would make this more of a possibility.

Hopefully, all of this goes for naught and he talks to you and offers a settlement.
Victor

 

Well, I got in touch with him, but he's very vague in the details of payment, and more importantly, fault. Basically, neither of us feels we are at fault. He keeps saying things like, "Well, you can't really tell what happened here, did I drift too far to the right, or were you over too much to the left?" Unfortunately, it's not like somebody ran a red light, not that that is always clear-cut either. I told him that I wasn't planning on paying for anything, didn't get much response there. The way I see it, I was going straight and got tapped from the back left. That shouldn't be my fault. Of course, the chances of having any real police report are gone, for the obvious reasons.

So, the way things stand, I'm hoping to get my estimate on the 2nd, I'll talk to him again after. If he doesn't want to pay, I'll have to either talk to his superior officer (don't think this will get anywhere, they don't seem like they want any involvement) or talk to a lawyer. That second option seems ridiculous, as I think the cost of the repair will be fairly minimal. Hopefully, he'll just agree to pay.

Victor - thanks, I might go there. I have gotten work on my Accord done at a body shop here and was very happy with the results. I know that a Z is just basically another car in the end and I'm sure they'd do a great job, but somehow I want to bring the car to somewhere that has seen them before. That's only so the guys don't go crazy with it....doubt that would happen. This is one of the times I'm glad this car isn't something fancier. Like we learned with Takao and his Lambo, repairs on exotics can be very expensive.

Life is a series of lessons, some are painful.

 

Andrew,

I feel your pain. Just last week my car was hit in the same place. The other driver was issued a ticket. I didn't have any damage to the sheet metal...just the plastic bumper needs a respray. Allstate estimated the repair to be $326. I took my car to a very reputable bump shop that works on high-end cars. He told me that Allstate's estimate looked a little low and that there may be damage under the bumper. In any event, he told me that they would simply call Allstate with the additional work (if necessary) and that it would be covered. Judging from your pictures it appears that your wheel has scuff marks on it from the other car. You should have your suspension looked at and at least have a 4 wheel alignment done. You would be surprised how easy it is to have your alignment thrown off.

My advice is to go ahead and make an accident report...it's not too late. Then get a couple of estimates done. If the amount is over $500 then contact your insurance company and explain the situation. I don't think that the deadbeat cop will be of much help here. It does not appear that he intends to pay one penny. Did the cop hit you in his jurisdiction? If so...making a case will be a little harder.

I wish you luck!

 

Andrew, there's always small claims court which would only cost you a court fee (which I think is $25). I had an exterminating company damage the vinyl siding of my house and they refused to pay to replace the damaged panels saying that it wasn't their fault. We went to small claims court and before the actual case was to be heard their lawyer showed up with a check for the amount we were suing for (based on an estimate we had).

Of course, if the officer is from the same jurisdiction where you were hit, this could be a tough one to win. At worst, you will not make it easy for him to walk away and he might give in to a settlement and avoid a possible embarrassment.

I still believe that if anyone hits you from behind, they are at fault. An officer will tell you that is careless driving as you are always supposed to be aware of what is in front of you.


Good luck.
Victor

 

Exactly!... he had to have seen you when he was moving over to the right! HE HIT YOU in your rear quarter, therefore I believe he is at fault. Ofcourse as you already know... your dealing with a cop.

Good luck!

 

Update number...ah, I forgot.

I got 2 estimates today. One from European Motorcars, in Middletown, recommended per vicmar90. This is where Zboy's Black Track was fixed. Their estimate - $737.55.

The second place is North Haven Auto Body, which fixed my Accord (very well) twice in the past, but has no experience with the Z. Their price, $734.58, essentially the same.

I'm pretty surprised by how expensive this will be. The problem is that the damage isn't very much, but it's on both the rear bumper and the left rear panel. Both will need painting.


Well, I'll have to talk to his cop, hopefully it'll go well.

 

Hey, it could have been $2500. With it under $800 if things turn sour it is still not the end of the world. Good luck!

 

Andrew, did you ask both body shops about how they felt matching the color to the factory color? This obviously is very important since you are not going to be painting the whole car.

I know European Motors was working on a chrome silver Z a while back but I didn't get to see the finished product.

Hopefully, this cop will settle with you.

The price, although not cheap, doesn't look too bad. Remember that they want to charge me over $400 just to repair and repaint one side skirt. I hope to get this done before the Spring.

Good luck.
Victor

 

rouxeny, how did the repair worked out? Did you get this "cop" to help with the repair cost?
We are looking for update number....umm, four. Let us know what happend with the Z and the cop.

Regards,

 

Hey Andrew,
after reading thru all these threads, I'm ticked off as to why you are giving this cop too much time to weasel out. Here in canada if I get into an accident and I'm not at fault, I would first allow the other party an opportunity to settle without getting the ins company involved(minor accidents only). However, if the other party turn out to be an ******* (as in this cop) I wouldn't waste my time. Report the accident, call your insurance company and have them use their resources to protect you. If this is indeed not your fault, have some faith and let the insurance company deal with him. You shouldn't have to runaround doing this goof a favor.

 

Well, things are not going well. The guy basically refuses to call me back. Unfortunately, I have to step things up.