What an idiot!

[geoff5093]

Alright, so I was parked in the parking lot at work, and a fellow employee was leaving for the day and backed right up into my side door with his Escape. He came inside the store and asked "who here drives a red car?", there were two there so we both looked up wondering why he was asking, then he said "I just backed into your car". I thought he was joking at first but he assured us he wasnt. I didnt even want to go outside and look at the damage, but when I did I just didnt know what to say to someone who backed up into my car that any one with a brain could back out of.

One of the girls I work with asked how he didnt see my car when he was walking to his, and he said "I was talking on the phone and wasnt paying attention" - just shows how stupid it is to talk on the phone when driving.

The good news is he had insurance (his parents), so we got all that straightned out, and i'm talking to the adjuster today.

Im not sure if any of you know, but do you think Toyota would be the best place to go? Do they use factory paint?

And finally, here are some pics:

[Avalonman]

Damn.. Damn. Hope all goes well

[MrSo0h0o]

see if you can just get the whole door replaced.. it looks like it could be an easy fix, as easy as that could be..

[geoff5093]

From the looks of it it's only the door that has to be replaced. But I heard from someone that they actually take apart the door and only replace the outside part or something? The chrome trim is also loose so that would have to be replaced.

I'm hesitant about going anywhere else besides Toyota, do you think that other collision centers would use the same paint that Toyota would use to fix it? I dont want a mis-matched door, or one with a poor paint job that start chipping after a year.

[JoeS_07SE]

Some people should not be allowed to drive! And using the cell phone as an excuse is plain ignorant!

Best of luck to you! And yes I would go to the dealership. Also closely look at every detail to make sure it is replaced like new.

[lammydi]

Holy Sh###
I felt your paint man. Sorry for the incident.
Keep us posted with your progess. Better luck to you.

[geoff5093]

I figured that Toyota would use original paint, but do you think other collision centers would to? The only reason I ask is because im sure Toyota charges quite a bit, so if I could have the work done at another reputable collision center, I could pocket a bit of money. Of course I would only do that if it didnt mean sacrificing the quality of the work.

[mtnet2000]

They'll just replace the door skin, which is good because the serial number sticker on the inside of the door will match! I actually would insist they just replace the door skin not the door...(My Opinion)

[Tuner571]

Man, that really sucks. Glad the guy was honest and told you about the accident instead of just running off.

[eflw1029]

Geoff5093-
A little bondo and rubbing compound and she will buff right out!
No seriously, you might get away if Toyota replaces just the door skin and since they will be using factory color matched paint it should be good as new. You just have to make sure before you leave the shop you the door closes properly, the windows roll up and down quietly, and the door locks as designed. In order to replace the doow skin the whole door might have to come off so they can seal and tack weld the replacement skin. Do NOT go with the bondo route because after a few years, the bondo will eventually fail due to the constant road vibrations and door closures.

Did I tell you the reason why I purchased my 2007 V6 Camry LE was because I totalled my '99 Crown Vic? Not a pretty sight, caught holy hell from the wife not to mentioned having to cough up the $22k for the replacement ride. Look's like everything else came out unscathed other than the rear driver side door...count your blessings as the damage could have been worse.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

did you say "well now you can use your cell phone to dial the police and talk to them explaining what you did!"

When ihad body work done on my Z24 they just replaced the door skin and repaint it. And i would definatly go to Toyota over any other place.

My car was almost written off wed. night. (won't tell the whole story so i don't thread jack) but it wouldn't have been my fault...

[gdanaher]

Your part of the country might be different, but down here the dealers don't run their own body shops. Since my wife is an inveterate tailgater, I have a personal relationship with one shop which seems to offer frequent crasher discounts. Anyway, talk to several people you might know or work with and ask who does good work. The same shop will be mentioned by half of them. Go there. The paint is the least of the issues. They tend to use a couple different brands of auto paint and it depends on the the painter more than the paint how it turns out. Don't cut corners on good labor.

[pillpusher84]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

From the looks of it it's only the door that has to be replaced. But I heard from someone that they actually take apart the door and only replace the outside part or something? The chrome trim is also loose so that would have to be replaced.

I'm hesitant about going anywhere else besides Toyota, do you think that other collision centers would use the same paint that Toyota would use to fix it? I dont want a mis-matched door, or one with a poor paint job that start chipping after a year.

Wow ... what a handjob ! How the hell do you manage to do all that damage just backing out? Atleast he wasn't a scumbag and just drove off ... atleast he had the balls to come forth!

Hope everything goes well .... as far as getting a completely ne door ... thats probably not going to happen, you'll just get a new door skin, prime, paint, blend & clear!

[MarkPhx]

Originally Posted by pillpusher84

Atleast he wasn't a scumbag and just drove off ... atleast he had the balls to come forth!

So true... you always hate to see stuff like this happen! About 8 years ago, I came out of work one day to see similar damage to my car only it was on the rear quarter panel. No note, no nothing. Had to turn it into MY insurance.

[-SCWEET1-]

Time to have the Body shop people add a SE kit.....