Maybe I just have different standards

[Sonoran Silkies]

I had something similar happen, although I was the one whose car was damaged. I'd not bothered to get minor damages repaired when an elderly couple backed into my properly parked car in the Home Depot parking lot. They never looked in their rear view mirror as they backed out. Tried to drive off, but I managed to stop them. She accused me of trying to scam them, depsite their paint on my car and mine on theirs. Said she saw no damage. Police would not come as the parking lot is privte property. I did get their insurance information and called my company. Quite upfront about the fact that there was some previous damage as well as the current. The adjustor could tell the difference. Anyways, yes, they paid for the damage THEY caused, some of which repaired previously damaged portions, but they did not pay for anything that they did not damage.

Call your insurance company (if you haven't already) and report the original accident. Describe the damage. Then tell him about the dog scratches to your car and the new accident. The sooner they have an adjuster look at his car, the more easy it will be to determine the old damage. If they will not let him assess the car, he will probably give up jhis rights to a claim.

 

[MeatKing]

If you were on his property, when his dog jumped on your car. He is not liable.

The whole situation sucks, I hope things get worked out quickly for you.

 

[KenK]

I wouldn't pay him a penny unless a judge made me and would write off the dog scratches and friendship.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Ok, so what I'm getting is he may be filing with his insurance for cumulative damage, several things that happened over a period of time.
He does not know the cause of all of the various damages, except for the initial bump caused by your kid in the car.
However, he expects you to pay all or a portion of the deductible. This is based on the initial incident where your car rolled into his, for which you have already offered to pay what is needed.

Some time later, after dragging his heels, his dog scratched up your car and caused some damage. You did not file a report of that occurrence.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

You are absolutely correct - he is attempting to get the total repairs made on your dime.
He has no proof your car ever touched his, since no report was ever filed at the time of the first bump.
Now, months later, more damage has occurred which he cannot pinpoint. He can file a claim for 'aggregate damage' on his insurance, but he cannot prove you are at fault for any of it.
Neither can you prove anything against him for the dog scratching your car. Again, no report was filed at the time. Time is always of the essence in these situations.

He can force your hand in court, by having you called to answer on the first bump after the fact.
You could be expected to pay a portion of the deductible representing that initial damage. But a court must order it, and until he offers an estimate and presents a deductible claim for everything, he has nothing. The odds of him doing it are slim, I would think. He doesn't sound like a man of action, the cost of a lawsuit is steep and without proof, well.....

As for your friendship, well - I get the feeling that you are hurt by his actions. Well, all I can say is, don't fret over that too much. He would most likely fritter away any money you pay him, anyway.
Have you ever heard the expression, "If you loan a man $20 and you never see him or it again - it was money well spent?" This is one of those times.

If you do settle on some out of pocket money, as your S.O. suggests - - - get a signed receipt for final payment, stating 'nothing further due or payable.'

 

[kareninthesun]

Makes me wonder if the light was really damaged from your car, especially if there is no damage on yours in the spot where the vehicles met. In any case, if it were me, I'd offer payment for the light, make sure there is a legal paper trail, write a check only for it so you've got more documentation, and consider this a lesson. Also: PLEASE replace the carseat with one which your son cannot get out of. I don't know if the Red Cross still does this, but they used to have an exchange of car seats. And never leave kids unattended in cars. It isn't safe, things happen too fast. If something had happened to your precious child, the situation drastically changes and you'd be a whole lot of trouble. Recently Caleb ((3) managed to get out of his car seat harness. He was mad at me because he had to sit there. I was driving and pulled over asap. Straped his contrary little butt back in. New car seat immediately. Kids are way too smart. So, a blessing in disguise.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I don't believe this is the case. Part of Homeowners Insurance is to pay for damages to others that occurs on your property. It would be a different matter if one was trespassing, but as this is a friend, not the case uness she had been asked to leave.

 

[MandyH]

I would offer nothing and pay for nothing. It's up to him to prove what happened. Just like if someone hits your car in the parking lot and its not witnessed. He will have to file on his insurance.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If he is using his own insurance to pay for the damages, then you own him either the amount it would cost to make the repairs to the damage you caused, or his deductible, whichever is less. Do not underestimate the cost of repairs. What looks like it ought to cost $50 to fix could well cost several hundred dollars, particularly if bumpers or any systems were involved.

I honestly think using your own insurance is far, far better; insurance companies know how to deal with each other, and when to keep pushing and when to cave. I have had several "fender benders" over the years and still get discounts for safe driving. Having a GOOD insurance company is definitely worth it.

Morally and legally, you owe him his costs for the repairs to the damage you caused. Likewise, he owes you for the cost to repair the damage his dog caused. You do not owe him for damage caused by any other accident, but his lack of timely repairs is his choice, and does not relieve you from responsibility to pay for those repairs.

However, I suggest you send him a letter stating that unless an adjuster sees the car within the next week, and is given information about both (all) accidents, and provides separate estimates for each, that he is waiving his claim against you, as the longer he procrastinates, the more difficult it will be to distinguish the separate damages. This will probably not legally remove your liability if he does not, but it MAY prove an impetus to getting him to get the estimates. At the same time, get your own estimate for repair costs to your car.

 

[Imp]

Not sure if this helps or hurts...

Back in 1985 I bought a new Honda Civic. Got rearended 5 times the first year. The first 4 times it was minor damage, just replacing the bumper. I still remember it was $362 each time.
After the 3rd hit I got the estimate and made an appt to get it fixed. The day before the appt it got hit again. The person did not know that the bumper was already damaged, and was very honest about letting me know. (it was parked at the time)
I took it in and told the shop that it had been hit again. I said I thought it was fair to charge the first hitter the $362, and the second hitter for any additional damage. The shop said it was standard to charge the second hitter for all the damage. I did not think that was ethical or fair. Had the work done. The shop did not find any additional damage. I contacted the first hitter and he paid the $362. I then called the second hitter and let him know that it was his lucky day. He had hit a bumper that was worth $0 and that is what he owed. He was happy to hear that.

In your situation I think you owe a fair & reasonable amount for the damage your son did. Your friend's or your Insurance may pay part or all of it. That is all you owe.
The Insurance Companies will now figure it out and decide how it will be resolved. It will probably mean increased rates for everyone involved.

Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Imp

 

[Slinkytoys]

If no report was made, if there is no proof that this happened........I'd tell the jerk to go find someone else to scam. Some friend. He is trying to make money off you. I'd CO the guy and forget about it. Fix your own car and tell him off. He can cheat his own insurance and hopefully get caught. I feel if they try to cheat me, all bets are off.
Judge me.
Slinky