Posts Tagged ‘Auto’

An honest auto mechanic can sometimes be tough to find. No harder than finding an honest lawyer, some would say, but my regular readers already have that department covered! My wife and I have run into a series of car "issues" lately, and it got me thinking about the different ways an uninformed consumer can be abused by a dishonest mechanic. This month's article will focus on ways to make the often painful and expensive world of car repairs a little easier for my readers.

There are three golden rules for any consumer when dealing with an auto mechanic:1) get it in writing;2) get it in writing; and3) get it in writing.

If you follow these three rules, you will by WAY ahead of the game in case of problems or disputes "down the road" (if you'll pardon the pun.)

Specifically, you should always get a WRITTEN authorization for towing or inspection of your vehicle PRIOR to the time it is towed or inspected. This authorization should cover several issues, including: the exact cost and description of the towing, inspection or diagnosis to be completed; an explanation of which charges (if any) will be waived if you elect to have the repairs completed; a statement that the car will be satisfactorily reassembled if you elect not to have the repairs done and/or a statement that all inspected parts will be saved and stored for you; and most importantly, a statement that the authorization for towing or inspection is NOT an authorization for repair and that a separate, written work authorization will be required prior to the commencement of any repairs. You should ALWAYS require a separate repair authorization prior to the time you begin repairs. Although you may be asked to sign the inspection authorization at the same time you sign the work authorization, my advice is NOT to do so. I mean, if you're going to do that, why bother with the inspection authorization at all?

Your work authorization should address certain items as well: a complete description of the repair work to be done (obviously); the stated fee for the work to be done, broken down by parts and labor; a full disclosure of all other costs (storage, shop fees, etc.) as well as a statement that all costs and fees are disclosed in the authorization; a statement as to whether the parts will be new from the manufacturer, new aftermarket parts, used or rebuilt; the specific terms of the warranty for the repair work; the method of payment accepted for the repairs; and an indication that all parts removed and/or replaced will be stored and saved for your inspection (unless they are required for exchange, such as brake pads.)

There are a few common problems to watch out for. For example, you should never let the mechanic disassemble your vehicle or put it up on the rack if you do not have a written authorization for inspection as described above. At that point, you run the risk of authorizing overpriced repairs or getting your vehicle back partially or improperly reassembled. Also, your mechanic may call you for "verbal" approval to amend or change the work authorization. While time and convenience may tempt you to take this shortcut, I would highly recommend that all changes to work authorizations be in writing and signed or initialed by both parties. This is the only way to insure that misunderstandings do not blossom into increased revenue for your friendly local lawyer.

If you do have a problem with a mechanic, or if the final charges exceed the written authorization and you feel you have been cheated, it is probably best to go ahead and pay the bill. If you do this, be sure to write a few words making your protest clear on the bill and on your check if you can. If need be, you can go back and dispute your credit card charges or sue the mechanic in small claims court after you drive away. Keep in mind that a mechanic has a lien on your vehicle to insure payment of his charges. Please do NOT pay with a check and then put a "stop payment" order in place, as this will likely end up with your car being repossessed.

Remember, a nice smile and firm handshake does not always translate into quality service delivered with honesty and integrity. Keeping all agreements and authorizations in writing and being firm about your rights is hard work, but it sure does beat riding a bicycle to work on a rainy day.

With Volkswagen „Think Blue stands for ecological and sustainable mobility. But that is not necessarily a car as Wolfsburg demonstrated at the Auto China 2010 in Beijing. Their latest „Think Blue-project is a bicycle...

"This one goes out to everybody in the whole wide world who burns gas........ in their cars. Any-kind of gas." Based upon automotive technology with a patented bi-directional power interface and bodysteertm chassis the FM-4 prototype humancarâ® has rocked Seattle, Ashland, Portland and canyon roads at our private test facilities at speeds upwards of 60 mph. It is a supercar. No bike parts are used. www.humancar.com Let us know when you are ready to alter your perception.

1. I hit a bicycle. You need car insurance for that?

 

2. I didn’t have an accident with another car.

 

3. Think about it. Car insurance is for cars. Bicycle insurance is for bicycles, right?

 

4. It’s because I’m having that kind of year.

 

5. Once the economy started to go downhill, I had to cut corners somewhere.

 

6. I think that got cut when I lost my job.

 

7. It was that or the health insurance.

 

8. I figured I was a safe driver. I guess I figured wrong.

 

9. I just moved. Those papers must be in the moving boxes.

 

10. I’m on vacation here. I’m sure I have insurance back home.

 

Here are ten useful tips of advice from a bicycle accident lawyer to follow if you have been in an accident. You can also learn more about how to handle a bicycle accident in Rancho Palos Verdes, or any city, by calling the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson at any of the numbers which can be found on our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learning how we can assist you.

 

Obviously, if you have had an accident, and you are reading all of this advice, it’s probably been at least a few days since the accident. However, if it’s only been a few hours or if you ever have another accident, here’s what you should do the next time from the start.

 

First, take a look around and determine if you or anyone, are hurt. If so, taking steps like trying to prevent further injury or loss of blood are the most important thing you can do. Even if some other driver caused you to be injured, it’s just good manners to help the other driver if they are hurt. They may even be so thankful that they admit their fault to you. The worst thing you can do is get angry or start a fight.

 

Second, make sure everyone is safe from being injured further. If you are in the middle of traffic, and you are dizzy, sit down away from traffic. If your vehicle is a traffic hazard and you have accident warning devices like flares or triangles, put them out on the road to warn other drivers and get away from the car. Let the police an other emergency personnel investigate the scene with the vehicles in place and move them more safely at a later point.

 

Third, call the police. Accident reports are extremely helpful if the police will do such a report. Let the police know you are injured immediately. Answer the police questions honestly. But if you are dazed or confused, let them know you need medical treatment and answer only what you feel sure about. Remember, your statements can and will be used against you if you admit fault, and it will be too late and too fishy to later say you didn’t know what you were saying at the scene. Police know that your best recollection is immediately after an accident.

 

Fourth, get the other driver’s information including their names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, make and model of their vehicles, license plate numbers, and their insurance company name and policy number. If there are witnesses, get their names, addresses and telephone numbers as well. If the other driver makes any admissions of fault, write those down as well.

 

Fifth, if you have a camera on your cell phone or in the car and you aren’t too injured, take some photos of the vehicles and the scene. If you can’t do it right away, do it after you are released from the hospital.

Sixth, if you are hurt, obtain medical treatment. Don’t decline the ambulance or hospital examination to save your insurance company money or to be stoic. Take your valuables out of your car if you can and get checked out at the hospital. If you are not hurt, don’t get treatment you don’t need. However, remember, after an accident, you may feel a rush of adrenaline that causes you to only start feeling symptoms of pain a few hours later. If you have a health plan that requires you to obtain permission first, call them and find out where you are allowed to seek treatment.

 

Seventh, call a good bicycle accident lawyer as soon as you have had your initial treatment, so the attorney can gather other important evidence and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you and obtaining such things as recorded statements that you feel fine, when many of your symptoms have yet to manifest themselves. A good bicycle accident lawyer can save you from making a great deal of mistakes and can shoulder much of the hassle of knowing what to do about car repairs, car rentals, medical treatment, witness statements and the like. If you think you will save money by not having an attorney, think again. A good bicycle accident lawyer can almost always obtain much higher settlements, obtain reductions of medical bills and insurance liens and prevent you from making costly mistakes. Also, most bicycle accident attorneys advance costs of obtaining police reports, medical records and the like and are paid and reimbursed for these costs only out of any settlement.

 

Eight, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company, but since they will want to take a recorded statement from you, just like any other driver’s insurance company, it’s good advice to retain an attorney first. And if the other driver did not have insurance, remember that it is your own insurance company that will be your adversary. You will also need to report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles and your lawyer can give you the form for this.

 

Ninth, do not agree to settle your claim privately with the person at fault for the accident. This almost never works out to your advantage. Don’t agree not to call the police. Police reports that determine the fault for an accident are golden. Your agreement to not involve the police only affords an opportunity for the other driver to change his story and blame you when the police will no longer investigate the accident.

 

Tenth, don’t pay a traffic ticket without a fight if you weren’t at fault or agree to accept a small payment for your vehicle repairs without knowing that the amount will in fact cover the cost of all the repairs.

 

If you’ve had a bicycle accident in Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates, Torrance, Carson, Brentwood, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Camarillo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, Cambria or San Luis Obispo, or anywhere in Southern California, we have the knowledge and resources to be your Rancho Palos Verdes Bicycle Accident Lawyer and your Palos Verdes Estates Bicycle Accident Attorney. Be sure to hire a California law firm with auto, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, car, bus, train, boat and airplane accident experience, wrongful death experience and insurance law expertise who can ensure you are properly represented and get the compensation you deserve.

 

If you have a personal injury legal matter, a dog bite or if you’ve lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.SebastianGibsonLaw.com  and learn how we can assist you.