Whiteout FRS hit by drunk driver.. What to do?

[Randyliciious]

Hey guys, unfortunately on Saturday I got home from a 12 hour shift at work and decided to go to autozone to get some things. On my way home I was stopped at a red light and to the left of me saw 2 Hondas racing and they ran the red light as well. I heard another car coming so I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a car coming at me at full speed.. I put my car into first gear and tried to get away but it was already too late.. I only moved about 6 inches and the car rammed me into the Prius in front of me... I'm glad that I didn't get away because in the Prius was an older man, his wife, and their 5 year old daughter. Maybe I was able to save that little girls life by taking the hit but the driver that hit me was a women that had been driving under the influence.. She wanted to exchange information and be on our way and even blamed me for the accident? She said that I hit the Prius and then she panicked and hit me??? LOLOL! She also didn't want to get the police involved and she thought that we were dumb or something. She wanted to exchange information but didn't want to give us her name? Wtf? The police finally arrived after thirty minutes and she went to sit in her car so she didn't have to talk to him LOL! We told the officer what happened and justice was served! She got a speeding ticket and also a DUI for drunk driving. Well guys, the moral of the story is don't drive under the influence. I'm glad that I am still alive and possibly saved the lives of the people in front of me. By being able to move away possibly 6 inches, I avoided major damage and she was only able to hit my right side. If she had hit me straight on, that would've been a whole different story..

Also, the damages on my car are mainly in the rear and the front has minor damage like a cracked bumper and the plastic piece that holds my headlight cracked. (Can I replace my headlight if that is cracked?)

Well, the question I want to ask is since my car got hit and her insurance is covering everything, what should I do? I want them to replace everything OEM but want to change my headlights, tail lights, and exhaust. I'm Pretty sure that OEM are much more expensive but I would like some advice. Thanks in advance!

[HunterGreene]

Sorry to hear about the accident, glad you and that family are alright, and despite what you may hear later in this thread, that may not buff out

Also, another reason not to head to Autozone

However, your insurance (who are you insured through?) will only do OEM replacement if you have it done at one of their shops (if the car isn't totalled out completely). If you decide to do it out of their network, then they'll cut you a check for the damage and wish you luck.

I'd advise you to get it done in-network, simply because you may need to go back for further repairs. Do you have any pictures of the damage to the front? The advantage of just getting everything repaired OEM, in-network is that the place will bill the insurance company directly instead of you, including for any repairs that arent included in the insurance estimate and other cost overruns (you'll just end up paying your deductible at the end), whereas you pay from the amount they give you, and anything extra will come out of your pocket as well, though some shops will work with an insurance company to cover costs.

TL;DR--its easier to let the insurance company handle the repairs through one of their shops.

[bdbx18]

Ouch that hurts! I was once rear-ended in my MR2T by a very cute doctor-in-training. We arranged to take it for an estimate at a somewhat costly body shop referred by the ins co. After I signed the waiver and she paid me, I then took it to my regular body shop guy who charged a whole lot less and didn't have to get on the wait list.

[Randyliciious]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

Sorry to hear about the accident, glad you and that family are alright, and despite what you may hear later in this thread, that may not buff out

Also, another reason not to head to Autozone

However, your insurance (who are you insured through?) will only do OEM replacement if you have it done at one of their shops (if the car isn't totalled out completely). If you decide to do it out of their network, then they'll cut you a check for the damage and wish you luck.

I'd advise you to get it done in-network, simply because you may need to go back for further repairs. Do you have any pictures of the damage to the front? The advantage of just getting everything repaired OEM, in-network is that the place will bill the insurance company directly instead of you, including for any repairs that arent included in the insurance estimate and other cost overruns (you'll just end up paying your deductible at the end), whereas you pay from the amount they give you, and anything extra will come out of your pocket as well, though some shops will work with an insurance company to cover costs.

TL;DR--its easier to let the insurance company handle the repairs through one of their shops.

Originally Posted by Marchy

you'd have to work with the body shop to order the "aftermarket parts" over OEM, but its unlikely the insurance company will want to play ball on that, but you'll only find out after you ask.

Definitely request a diminished value claim since your car will have a branded title and will lose out on value. that should get you a check which you can use towards mods or paying down your loan.

and x2 on what huntergreen said, do it in network so they can warranty the repair work should you run into any issues in a week after the work is done.

So it seems im doing it right so far, the insurance covering the damages on my car is All State and since I have them as well, there is no deductible and I am also having the repairs done at a Toyota dealership. They told me that I have life time warranty on repairs as well! Also, they said that if I choose to get aftermarket replacements, I will be able to keep the left over amount. The only aftermarket items I was planning on getting was headlights, taillights, and exhaust.

[cjsporl1996]

You saved a life, got some free aftermarket parts and took a dangerous driver off the streets. Good Job!!!

[frslee]

Glad everything is solved well and answer on the aftermarket parts. See if you can get the 10 series headlight XD

Make that b!tch pay for everything. Hopefully that stupid lady learned something.

[Calavera]

On crash tests the FR-S has done better than the Prius. Prius owner should buy you a cold beverage. Nice wheels!

[Missy]

I feel your pain, people fuckin suck. Nice to see she was mature and sat in the corner like a good child.. Smh

[Calavera]

Originally Posted by Missy

I feel your pain, people fuckin suck. Nice to see she was mature and sat in the corner like a good child.. Smh

She was trying to sober up. I seen it many times.

[N1rve]

Take it to the dealer and have them perform the repairs! Don't settle for aftermarket parts! It's a new car!!


Or you can find another reputable body shop!

[Jaywest717]

I don't understand. Only a speeding ticket and a DUI? She caused an accident and could have killed people! Why wasn't she thrown in jail (assuming she wasn't?)!? And she would be paying for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. If I had gotten a blood stain on my shirt or something, she would be paying for that, too! I have absolutely no tolerance whatsoever for drunk drivers.

[jarviz]

a little off topic, but how do you know when your parts are OEM... Are there toyota/subaru stamps or imprints on the underside or something?

[Missy]

Originally Posted by Calavera

She was trying to sober up. I seen it many times.

Lmao, maybe if I sit and act serious for a minute I'll look less intoxicated and convince someone trained to spot a drunk person I'm totally coherent and it was the car in front of mines fault. It'll totally work..

[Randyliciious]

Originally Posted by Marchy

yup, and make sure to get yourself checked out by a doc asap if you haven't already. Neck/back pains are no joke.

Yeah I felt the neck/back pain the day after the accident and I am gunna get it checked today! Thanks man!