Hi...I know you guys are thinking oh another Z accident smh...haha
So I was driving my z while a minivan pulls into the road RIGHT in front of me from the right (i guess she did not see me...). Literally maybe only 10ft of space in between...I was going maybe 25mph. So police came and told me even if she caused the accident since i was behind i am at fault...wtf.

Damage report:
The woman's minivan - dent on left corner of her rear bumper
My car - The adjuster's report listed 22 items but basically my front bumper, right fender, right headlight, and my right door.
I know everyone thinks its the other person's fault but if you can picture where the damage is, i think you might see maybe it really is the other person haha but thats not the main reason for my post.

My report estimate is $2300~ total.
Would you guys recommend me to get it repaired to oem?
Or would I be able to get aftermarket parts? If so, what would you recommend? And can I talk to the body shop about that?

And I know SOMEBODY will probably ask about my age...
I am 23... Had this 04 for about 2 years now.. Drove a corolla 07 2 years before that... My first accident my bad luck... And dont worry I did not buy this car with my parents money haha.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations, criticism, etc.



Updated with picture.

 

I've had the same thing happen to me. I called the elderly woman's insurance company and told them their insured driver hit me and I wanted my car fixed. I faxed the police report over and got estimates. No problems, everything fixed. I'm sure you'll be fine.

I've had body shops work with me on replacing the busted stuff with aftermarket of my choice. I'm sure they'll work with you.

 

omgz another z accident gawd

 

just leave it broken a pot hole will rip it all off in 4 months

 

Jeez a NJ Z wrecked Make me sad.

 

Really? Thats not what happened to me though... The police did not believe my story. They even gave me a ticket for "following too closely"... The woman was flipping out on me saying she just bought her brand new car (but it was an 04 chrysler..) I did not engage in her verbal onslaught i was calm but in my mind i was screaming **** **** **** **** my car.
And actually this happened in NY.
And the rental my insurance got me is a chrysler too... damn chrysler!

 

witnesses? were u truly at fault? i mean really if u werent you probably could have stopped

 

hahaaha someone is pretty upset about there bumper lol...

but damn bro thats rough stuff. you should definately just call the other driver insurance and tell them what happened and make her pay for it

 

The police gave you a ticket? Were they there when it happened? How is that legal? They should give her a ticket for an unsafe lane change then.

Yes, generally the insurance sees you at fault if the front of your car hits someone or something.

 

The police can issue tickets based on the evidence of the accident. It would appear the original poster hit the minivan in the back. That generally makes the accident his fault. it doesn't sound too serious so I wouldn't get too upset. The insurance will get the cars fixed and then everything will be ok.

 

Is the cop a moron? By the damage alone it's pretty obvious she pulled out and you hit her as she was pulling out so it should be her fault. I say give it to your insurance company along with a statement.

 

Since we have seen no pictures of the damage, it is pretty hard to make a declaration like this. The police officer saw the damage and issued a ticket. Unless the ticket is thrown out in court, the original poster will have a difficult time stating who is at fault with the insurance companies. Insurance companies usually believe the person who was issued a ticket was the person at fault.

Many years ago and I do mean many, I was involved in an accident at an intersection. My light was green. The other person involved was sitting at the intersection and as I approached, started moving into the intersection. I hit her broadside. The police officer asked what happened and she just said she ran the red light and I hit her. End of story. The officer issued her a ticket for running the red light and her insurance fixed my car. Had she not been so honest, the accident would probably have been my fault since you are supposed to be in control of your car at all times. I think that is why the officer issued the original poster the ticket. That fact he hit the minivan is proof that he was not in control of his car.

It will be interesting to see how this accident is resolved.

 

Your lucky eminem wasn't behind the wheel of that chrysler. Haha.

Bad luck man. Go to the insurance companies and see what can be done.

 

So let me see if I have this straight. U were traveling in a residential area (25mph) and the lady was at an intersection and made a right turn and cut u off? If this is correct I would think it would be her fault especially if she had a stop sign. Although, she could fight and claim u were going faster than u were and say at the time she pulled out she had enough distance. However, I find it odd that the cop issued you a ticket. If it was at a crossroad and she had a stop sign, she should be the one at fault. But good luck to u.

 

wow, 2300 in damages for going 25 mph? I was going around 55 when I hit someone from behind, and I don't even think repairing my front bumper, right fender, headlights would cost over 1200. Damn, that sucks.

 

Maybe my original statement was a bit strong. And it could be OP is making the story sound in his favor. But when I think of the van in having damage on the back left, his Z on the front right, it seems like the most logical explanation was him in fact being cut off.

 

Hi I will put up a picture after i get off work!
And to be honest... there really is no reason for me to lie about not being my fault. Im not here to get sympathy.. It really was the other person and Im here looking for advice..
The road had 3 lanes. I was on the right lane. On the right side, it was a mini mall complex with exits for cars to pull into the road (right lane).
Ok so...
I am driving on the right lane and I see the minivan waiting to pull into the right lane. It is green light a bit past her so there is no reason for me to stop and let her pull in or slow down either since i was already almost past her when i saw her. The speed limit on that road is 45 and i was actually going very slow at 25. Either she did not see me or thought she can get in before me. but i really dont understand since i was already almost there and she pulled in fast i think stepping hard on the pedal?
Either way the police did not believe me. The woman kept saying it was my fault and that she was already in the lane. I said look at where the damages on the car but the police did not understand or did not care.
Dont even talk about braking distance... There was no chance for me to brake since she cut me off!
I am thinking about speaking to someone in the law dept about what to do with the ticket since I do not think I can change the blame of the accident.
Ive been driving for 6 years and this is the dumbest way i can think of to get into an accident..
I thought I could go into my sixties and no accident!!
Now I have an accident on the car and more depreciation wooo.....

 

It definitely would be harder to fight because you got a ticket. Plus, the driver I hit admitted to turning in front of me. Lawyer up if you wanna win.

 

least you did not turn off the road and slam into a tree like that other forum member did.

 

@Dave - Yeah but Im debating whether it will be worth it factoring legal fees and such?
@Dr Venture - Haha there where no trees for me to wrap around lol