5th Wheel rips off garage door header and spring

[RockyMountain]

I pulled up to the wash this evening to see a garage door spring bent below the bottom of the door. As I walked to the back of the lot I could see the entire 16 foot header/wall on top of a 5th wheel camper. The driver was on top of the camper getting ready to throw it off. Glad I was there! He was very apologetic and gave me his insurance information. I almost called the police, but didn't. Should I have?

I don't have signs stating the clearance height, so could that possibly let him off the hook?

Aside from calling the insurance agent in the morning, is there anything else I should do? Thanks in advance!

 

[DiamondWash]

This wasn't the same driver who destroyed the bridge in Seattle? Do you have cameras?

 

[MEP001]

The cops can't really do anything unless they witness it or the driver admits fault to them, and even then it's on private property so they'd at best be a witness in court.

I watched a guy drive out of a bay with the wand stuck in his trailer, and he ripped the welded fitting end right out of the boom. Since this was the second time he'd done it, I asked him for his insurance. He didn't like that and called the cops, who really didn't serve any purpose other than act as a translator (He barely spoke English).

 

[washme1]

I would think you could resolve this with his insurance company. Since he apologized, he basically admitted fault.

Call his insr company and file a claim. They will contact their insured. If he tells them what he told you, they will pay.

 

[Jeff_L]

Agree with what others stated. Private property, no crime since he was still there and apologized (admitted fault). His insurance company should take care of you. I don't think they have a leg to stand on about not having the height displayed, I would think it would be considered something like taking a reasonable stance.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I guess in Chicagoland we are the only ones with POS insurance comapnies. Had a guy drive thru my Tunnel wall taking out my water meter in the tunnel. Took us 2 days to get up and running. Not easy getting replacements stuff from the City of Chicago. Gave them receipts for parts on other stuff we had to replace, the plumber's receipt, and 30 days of records to establish lost revenue. They reduced the total of everything by 30% for depreciation. Wasn't enough to file suit over. Have another one now. He rear ended my wife and apologized. They spec'd out after market parts and reduced offer by 1/3 saying she was partly at fault becuase she stopped suddenly. They have filed a jury demand.

 

[mjwalsh]

I guess in Chicagoland we are the only ones with POS insurance comapnies. Had a guy drive thru my Tunnel wall taking out my water meter in the tunnel. Took us 2 days to get up and running. Not easy getting replacements stuff from the City of Chicago. Gave them receipts for parts on other stuff we had to replace, the plumber's receipt, and 30 days of records to establish lost revenue. They reduced the total of everything by 30% for depreciation. Wasn't enough to file suit over. Have another one now. He rear ended my wife and apologized. They spec'd out after market parts and reduced offer by 1/3 saying she was partly at fault becuase she stopped suddenly. They have filed a jury demand.

Earl,

I remember a series of articles within SSCWN when JJJ wrote about many operators going without insurance. It may have been a coincidence but the insurance companies seems to shape up not too long afterwards.

A owner-maintenance person is bound to have a slightly different perspective than just a maintenance person.

When it comes to court ... I suppose an operator could consider trying to get a judgement directly from the party at fault ... but then if the deep pockets bump it to the more involved court then ... I suppose that is a logistical problem somewhat.

Your wife's being rear ended reminded me when I was traveling on the 12 lane freeway close to downtown Houston recently & the drivers this time were not even slightly considerate of my "blinkers on" needing to change lanes for a turn off. I finally was faced with either getting late for my nephew's wedding or slowing down to even an almost total stop until there was an opening in the 70 mph bumper to bumper. I chose to slow down even though there was some serious horn honking behind me.

mike

 

[Kevin James]

RockyMountain. Don't repair the damage yourself. Call and get a couple of estimates so you'll have something to show the insurance adjuster when he comes, if he hasn't already come. Be sure to add some car wash down time to the bill. The bill could easily be $3 or $4K, a good door mechanic is expensive.

 

[Jeff_L]

Agree with getting the estimates, and I'd probably get three if you had the time. Not certain if you can add downtime to the bill though, it's pretty variable. However, maybe the insurance company will accept it? Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[bedanwilles]

I think you could resolve this with his insurance company easily as you depicted that he apologized. You may call his insurance company and file a claim. They'll definitely contact him and once he tells them what he told you, they will pay.