| Author | Message | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2279 Registered: 11-2002 |
This is not a religious or SDA question. However, it does have to do with doing the right thing and I am confused about the action I need to take. Last Sunday (2 days ago) for the first time I decided to attend first service at the church I've been attending. Being the first time at first service I did not know anyone from the congreation. The driveway into the church parking lot is very narrow and the traffic flows only one way going around in a loop. The congreatiopn parks along the right side of the driveway or in the parking area more close to the church. I parked the car along the driveway. My car was completely turned off although my son and I were still in the car. Being the parking area I did not think to look behind me before opening my car door, the drivers side front door. I opened the door and a couple driving to church ran into my door. There should have been 100% visibility as it was a wonderfully clear, sdunny, beautiful day. The couple parked their car and I went to ask if everything was o.k. and the lady went into a rage about the damage to her car. I looked and lookedvand could see no damage so finily I asked her where the damage was and she showed me a serface scratch above the front passanger wheel about 2 1/2-3 inches long. I just said, "Oh, that's all. If you want me to I'll run up here to Kragen and get a scratchout maker and fix it for you." The husband just stood there not saying or doing much of anything. The wife very firmly and loudly tells me, "No, I want to turn this in to the insurance company. That is very bad dam,age to my car. We need professional body work to be done to restore my car to it's origional perfection." By this time she was being so loud the minister herd her and he came out to find out what the commotion was about. She said she wanted my name, address, phone # and insurance info. I told her my address and phone # and was totally honest in telling her that I'd just bought the car last week and did not have insurance yet and in fact the title hasn't even been turned over into my name yet because I haven't made it to the DMV to take care of it. She then wanted to know the name, phone #, address and insurance of the person who sold me the car. I told her that was impossible because the person I bought the car from was transerred to a different military base on the mainland 12 hours after I bought the car and I just plain don't have that information. Then when she herd I had no insurance she got out her cell phone and started to call the cops but the minister talked her out of it telling her Christians are supposed to reason together so she did not call the cops. Oh, thank-you, Jesus for that. The only time her husband spoke was when he said something about the law was that I shouldn't have even drove at all without insurance and I agreed with him. She told me the law is 100% always the fault of the person who has the open door in a parking lot. That the moving vechile ALYAYS has the right of way. I figure the husband should stay alets and aware of what is going on in such a tight area and not run into open car doors. The minister, husband and wife went in to church. I asked her for her name, address, phone # and insurance info. She gave me her and her husbands first names only. She refused to tell me their last names or their address but she did give me her cell ph. #. She refused to tell me her insurance info but she mentioned the name of the company. I then, after they all went in to the church callewd her insurance and with the license plate # that I copied off from her car the insurance person did a claim. The couple does have non-insurred coverage, however it is my firm belief that the damage could easilly be fixed for less than $50 and therefore would not meet the deductable by far. Now the ladt is calling and calling me harrassing me for money to get that puny little serface scratch fixed at an auto body shop. She does not want me to pay the shop. She insiste I send her the money, the cold, hard cash. My son talked to her on the phone and told her the insurance agent told me that she is to call the insurance, they will have it repaired and I will then deal with the insurance company, that I am not to deal with her at all. I think that is how to do it or she should take me to small claims court. I took pictures of her car and the driveway and how and where I was parked. I told her I thought since her husband ran into my open door then I would pay her 50% of the cost to repair it because it seems like the husband should have looked and I, too should have looked. She said 'no' she wants cash. I think she is trying to extort money from me and I am trying to go about this in the way that I believe is right. Please, give me some advice. Also, I am now very uncomfortable at that church so at least for awhile I'll switch to a different church nearby. Thank-you for your imput. | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 134 Registered: 4-2006  |
what a sad story  Reminds me of 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 I pray that you may settle your dispute like brothers in Christ. Oh God please guide Susan in this matter, help her of what to do. Amen. | ||
| Peperpat Registered user Username: Peperpat Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2006 |
Susan I am so sorry to hear of your predicament. I would think since the insurance company was called and a claim filed, you no longer have to pay this woman 'cash'. You could call the insurance company back to verify this. I will pray this will be resolved in a manner best for all of you. | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 595 Registered: 8-2004  |
Susan, praying! And yes, I think the insurance company is correct - let them handle it and don't speak directly any more to her. Poor woman! She's missing out on a lot of joy in life! Blessing, Mary | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4440 Registered: 12-2003  |
Susan, I'm so sorry. I agreeóyou need only to deal with the insurance company. Don't talk to her about it; you don't owe her "cash" since the insurance comapny is involved, and you probably shouldn't be talking to her about it at all. Insurance will manage the whole affair. Praying for you, Susan. Colleen | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 236 Registered: 4-2005  |
Susan, I was told by my Insurance Agent as well as his assistant, that whenever you buy another vehicle - assuming you had your past vehicle insured by them - you are automatically covered for 30 days. This is to give people the time it often takes to deal with all the requirements in regisering a newly purchased vehicle and to call in to give your Insurance Co. the details of the car and it's VIN number. You may confirm this info with your insurance Co. I would think this policy to be universal with all reputable insurance companies. It's obvious by this woman's behavior and wimpy husband as well, she needs regeneration and a new birth, so pray for her to come under that conviction. Meantime, I agree with the advice above. Any phone calls from her, I would simply say she should deal only with your Insurance company with her complaints and questions. Do NOT give her cash! Follow the professional counsel of your insurance agent. If your emotions and thoughts trouble you to the degree you can't focus upon worship in "spirit and truth," then perhaps you need to visit elsewhere; however, this lady's unChristian attitude does not reflect that of the church and you can pray to be freed from any such memories with their ugly emotions, while you continue to attend. Let your heart dictate, not this woman's influence or presence. So sad. But we can expect this from any and all who, although professed Christians in name, know not the power of the Gospel alive in their life. Praying for God's peace to calm your spirit. Jess | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2280 Registered: 11-2002 |
Thanks to all of you for the sound advice. All expressed what I was believing to be right. Jess, it was her insurance that I spoke with. I had no previous car. I have a claim # and she has my mailing address so I'll just let it be for now. I do appriciate all of you so much. | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1452 Registered: 7-2003 |
Accidents happen, Susan. Sounds like a no-fault situation to me....but don't beat yourself up. I don't think you did anything "terrible". It could have been any of us, and one day, it might be her. Grace, Grace, God's Grace..... | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2729 Registered: 3-2004  |
Susan, I agree also that you should only talk to the insurance company. I also think that as Jess said, she need regeneration and a new birth. It is to bad, because it sounds to me that she is missing much joy out of life with her attitude. Her husband also. Take care my friend and keep trusting in God. Diana | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2283 Registered: 11-2002 |
I got a telephone call earlier today from someone claiming to be from the insurance company. The person asked lots of nosy questions and just got the response that I'd already given that information to the insurance representive so they should already have it on file. I even had to tell this person who claimed to be calling from the insurance company that a claim had already been filed so go look he information up on the claim, the answers are all there. I think the caller was an imposter claiming to be from the insurance conmpany because on the caller i.d. it said, 'personal". Finily I just told the caller to go look up the claim and get back to me by mail and I hung up. | ||
| Cw Registered user Username: Cw Post Number: 110 Registered: 4-2006  |
Susan, as a traffic cop for 37 years you are now in my neighborhood. Jess is right about being covered for 30 days by your insurance company but since you weren't insured already that leaves you out. The woman has a problem and I've seen a million like her unfortunatly. It is not always the fault of the party opening the door. I have written reports both ways depending on the facts of the particular incident. Your account seems to indicate you feel it was your fault because you failed to see her and it's commendable that you accept responsibilty in that case. You can't force her to let you rub out the scratch and if her god is her car as it sounds she has a right, however childish, to demand it be restored to it's previous "perfection". But if her insurance company called you they WILL have a written report which they must release to you. Don't send money and don't take the word of the person on the phone without that report. And it would even be best if it's nearby for you to go into that office to pick up a copy rather than have it mailed to you. That way you know it's legit. If you do go there take your photos with you and ask to talk to the adjuster who examined the damage and make sure he/she got the true story. You should also be allowed to add a supplemental to the report stating your side of the story. I don't know where you live but most police departments, including CHP, will not respond and take non-injury/private property reports anyway. Except in certain cases the rules of the road that apply on the street do not apply on private property so determination of fault is often a cloudier issue. | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2286 Registered: 11-2002 |
I went to Wal-Mart today and while browsing in the auto department I came across every shade and color you can immagine of Scratch Out! It is only $6.27 a tube at Wal-Mart and a tube of that would have covered her minor scratch perfect. CW, I think it works both ways. Her husband was driving and it was a clear, sunny morning and he should have been alert enough to see my door was open and I also should have truned my head to look if anyone was coming up the driveway. Thank-you for the advice. | ||
| Cw Registered user Username: Cw Post Number: 111 Registered: 4-2006 |
Susan, that would be the deciding factor if a police officer were to write a report. If the door was already open and a reasonable person should have seen it, it's his fault. If you opened it into him leaving him no time to react, it's yours. Sometimes it's a toss-up and impossible to call. Also, without a witness it's one party's word against the other. The vehicle code section covering opening a door to traffic does not apply on private property anyway-at least not in California. Did you check on the written report at her insurance company? CW | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 76 Registered: 8-2005  |
Susan, as a former Cop, I imagine most PD's now won't even dispatch an Officer to handle a minor PD, (property damage) accident. Unless the nearest town was like Mayberry, they take reports right over the phone. These folk sounded like some real clowns! Hope all turns out well for you. | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 110 Registered: 7-2005  |
Are you sure this woman and her husband are regular church members in goog standing? They sound like scam artists to me. | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 209 Registered: 3-2005 |
Susan, Just a thought... maybe there's something really great happening at that church to attract the devil's own personal impersonator right into the parking lot. I go to a really great church where a couple of the side kick leaders are absolutely rude and control freaks.... but God's spirit is so present that He gives me an awesome blessing each time I go there, and pray for those very sick people that continue to get up front and sing there songs and speak there obnoxious words. God is a wonderful protector of my heart, and I praise him for helping me pray for them whenever they cross my path. No matter how sharp their words they get a smile and a kind word from me with God's help. I remember Corie T. and her concentration camp experience and ask God to help me turn the other cheek and forgive. Not to say that's what God has in mind for you. I just wanted to share my experience. Lisa | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2354 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'll let you know how this situtation is going. Just earlier this week I got a bill from her insurance company that she had the entire side panal repaired at a cost of $515.41. That much for a two inch scratch that didn't even go into the paint, it was surface only. I just plain haven't had time to send any money to the insuranc company. Actually I would like to take this to arbitration or to small claims court because the cost is very excessive for the tiny bit of damage. Anyway, I honestly think the lady is nuts as she went to my work several days ago and demanded my boss to get me. Fortunately it was my day off and I wasn't there. My boss told her to leave and that she would get the message to me to contact her. She even demanded my boss tell her when and at what time I would be at work next because if she doesn't get $515.41 from me soon she is going to bring her lawyer and the police to my work to get me. This is a minor civil case. I called her insurance company and told her insurance claims adjuster to tell that lady to stop harrassing me and especially she needs to know how totally inapproiate it is to come to someones place of employment and cause a ruckus. I then left on the message machine my mailing address in Ca. and told them I was on my way to the airport right now to split and go back to Ca. and when I get to Ca. I will contact legal aid in my county to find out what is really the way this problem needs to be handled. Then I called my boss and apoligised and told her how much I honestly really do like my job and all the people I work with and that this lady just harrasses me to no end and I've told her I will only deal with the insurance company or the court and I just don't want to bring trouble to the work place so I'll terminate employmeny. I'll come in and get my last paycheck and leave to Ca. I did go to the airport to check out changing my ticket and I will be gone soon. I also told her insurance adjuster that if she trys to have any more contact with me I'll apply for a restraining order on grounds of harrassment so they'd best tell her to knock it off. I mean, really, I only got the bill earlier this week! | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1476 Registered: 7-2003 |
Susan, I don't think they've yet to 'prove' you did anything wrong, so don't let them bully you into it. As someone else said earlier, they could be just as responsible. DO NOT let them guilt you into anything. |
