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Weird Dilemma

post #1 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:12pm
Thread Starter 
So about a month ago I came out of a meeting that did not go so well, got in my car to leave the office and hit a coworkers car behind me. It was just a small tap, however, the tire that hangs off the back of my SUV lined up perfectly with the top of her trunk and did a decent amount of damage. When I realized whose car I had hit, I apologized immensely and offered to pay any and all damages to the tune of 700$.

She told me that the garage where she was having the car repaired had a 6 week backlog so she asked that I write a check for the 700$ to her, and she would pay the amount to the garage when they could squeeze her in. retrospectively not the best idea, however, I felt bad for adding additional stress to her life and wanted to help anyway I could.

Today, I saw her in the office and checked in to see how the repairs went/were going and she said that the cars engine seized and it was stuck in the middle of nowhere. At this point she had not yet brought the car in to repair the damage She added that she was planning on just buying another car.

Everyone says I'm a chump for letting the 700$ slide but I really dont know how to handle the situation. What do you all think is appropriate from both end??

dl
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post #2 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:28pm
What dilemma? Her car is worth X amount less because you damaged it. You need to compensate her for X. Whether she chooses to repair the car with that money or just drive it or even sell it is her prerogative. If she drives it then she's driving a car with "decent amount of damage" caused by you. If she sells it then she's selling a car worth that much less. Decent body damage easily runs $1000+ in my experience. If you had filed an insurance claim then that can affect your premium or discounts and that's probably worth more than $700 as well.
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post #3 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dl20 View Post
So about a month ago I came out of a meeting that did not go so well, got in my car to leave the office and hit a coworkers car behind me. It was just a small tap, however, the tire that hangs off the back of my SUV lined up perfectly with the top of her trunk and did a decent amount of damage. When I realized whose car I had hit, I apologized immensely and offered to pay any and all damages to the tune of 700$. She told me that the garage where she was having the car repaired had a 6 week backlog so she asked that I write a check for the 700$ to her, and she would pay the amount to the garage when they could squeeze her in. retrospectively not the best idea, however, I felt bad for adding additional stress to her life and wanted to help anyway I could. Today, I saw her in the office and checked in to see how the repairs went/were going and she said that the cars engine seized and it was stuck in the middle of nowhere. At this point she had not yet brought the car in to repair the damage She added that she was planning on just buying another car. Everyone says I'm a chump for letting the 700$ slide but I really dont know how to handle the situation. What do you all think is appropriate from both end?? dl
Well, if you didn't damage her car maybe she wouldn't feel inclined to pick it up (I'm assuming it's not worth much), so in that case I would still pay her the money - cancel the check and give her cash though.
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post #4 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 
The car in question is a 94 corolla with nearly every panel dented in some area. The car wont be sold as she has said shes just going to scrap it. Should have included that info.





Quote:
Originally Posted by HomerJ View Post
What dilemma?

Her car is worth X amount less because you damaged it. You need to compensate her for X. Whether she chooses to repair the car with that money or just drive it or even sell it is her prerogative. If she drives it then she's driving a car with "decent amount of damage" caused by you. If she sells it then she's selling a car worth that much less.

Decent body damage easily runs $1000+ in my experience. If you had filed an insurance claim then that can affect your premium or discounts and that's probably worth more than $700 as well.
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post #5 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jodum5 View Post
cancel the check and give her cash though.

Why is that?

dl
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post #6 of 10
2/22/10 at 9:53pm
So you don't have to wait for her to cash it. Nothing I hate more than douchebags that wait 3 weeks to cash a check.
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post #7 of 10
2/22/10 at 10:08pm
I don't even see what dilemma you are having. There is no dilemma.

You damaged someone's property. They made an agreement with you to settle the damage. You honored the agreement. Problem solved, over and done, nothing more to think about.
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post #8 of 10
2/22/10 at 10:17pm
yeah, just move on. and buy yourself one of those back-up sensor thingie
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post #9 of 10
2/22/10 at 10:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milpool View Post
I don't even see what dilemma you are having. There is no dilemma.

You damaged someone's property. They made an agreement with you to settle the damage. You honored the agreement. Problem solved, over and done, nothing more to think about.

+1
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post #10 of 10
2/23/10 at 2:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jodum5 View Post
So you don't have to wait for her to cash it. Nothing I hate more than douchebags that wait 3 weeks to cash a check.

Good point. I gave her the check probably 5 weeks ago and it hasnt been cashed yet. When I first heard about the situation my thoughts were similar to everyones in this thread and essentially havent changed. I suppose I was second guessing myself because of everyone pissing in my ear all day.

I'm comfortable with leaving this situation as is.

Thanks for the reassurance

DL
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