HELP!!! Need after-accident advice and/or reputable bodyshops/dealers in NJ.

[KiLLaZ]

I was in an accident tonight and could really use some advice. An SUV was trying to make a left turn out of a mall parking lot onto a main road and we struck. Skipping all of the minor details, the other guy got a ticket for something like "improper exit" and the officer stated that it was 100% his fault considering he was exiting a private driveway.
The wheel and shock assembly of his SUV got damaged to the point where it fell off as the tow truck tried to tow it away. His axle was bent as well as lots of cosmetic/bumper damage. My hood and bumpers are pretty messed up, but I am totally surprised that this SUV didn't do more to my little VW GTI. ANYWAY...

I'll be calling my insurance company tomorrow morning obviously and getting the police report and everything when it is ready BUT - are there any suggestions that you guys could give me? I know many of you have been involved or know somebody that has been involved in an accident where they were not at fault, so your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Also, where should I take my car to get estimates for the damages? There are so many body shops to choose from, I would obviously like to go somewhere that will do a good job or sorta specialize in VW/Audi/German cars.

 

[nateholtrop]

the suv fell off the tow truck??? wow..that would have been a site.

nate

 

[Phil21]

Full coverage or liability?

If liability you're stuck with whoever his insurance company uses, those are the only estimates they'll pay on.

If full coverage, call your insurance company to ask how to to handle it.

Good luck.. I unfortunately have far too much experience in dealing with accidents. Luckily the one where I was not at fault was EXTREMELY clear-cut, and the other lady's insurance company wanted to settle ASAP so I couldn't sue. Not that I would of, but I guess their client running a red light @ 65mph made them a bit jittery, even the state trooper was surprised I even lived through it, much less come out uninjured. I had a check for the full amount of the car repair (totalled) estimate in under a week of getting hit, which I think is fairly abnormal.

-PHil

 

[KiLLaZ]

natelholtrop: OH NO NO! The SUV didn't fall off the tow truck... as the tow truck was pulling the SUV up onto the truck, the wheel and shock assembly just snapped off of the car.

Phil21: I have full coverage and will definitely be discussing such things as reimbursement times, rental cars, etc. etc. I'm sorry that you've been in accidents before, but it's a good thing that you didn't get hurt in such a high-speed, dangerous accident. I think I was only going about 10MPH by the time we struck, but I am hoping the fact that the other party was ticketed for a violation and that the police wrote him as 100% responsible will give me leeway in reimbursements.

 

[scm518]

Man, your neck must be sore (wink wink) - you may have to miss some work for that neck and *ahh* how is your lower back?

 

[BigLance]

Damn, thats to bad that happened.. Glad no one was hurt !

 

[KiLLaZ]

I dunno... my friend that was in the car at the time kept on joking about faking injuries and other silly stuff like that. Right now I'm just so very worried about my car being back to its original condition...