by Laurie Koller
For most people, after recovering from the shock of being involved in an Oklahoma car accident and checking for injuries to the driver and passengers, the next thing on their minds is “How am I going to get my car fixed!?” This is rarely as easy as it should be. Carr & Carr Oklahoma Car Accident Attorneys assists hundreds of people each year avoid the pitfalls that may arise when dealing with insurance companies for car repairs. We have experienced Oklahoma property damage appraisers on staff to ensure that our clients are paid what is fair and reasonable.
Q: Do I use the insurance company’s preferred shop or the shop of my choice?
A: In Oklahoma, you have the right to choose. Many insurance companies have contracts with specific repair shops and use many tactics to influence you to use their shops. In fact, if an insurance company tries to persuade you to use their shop, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Carr & Carr right away if this has happened to you so that you can speak with one of our experienced Oklahoma, Tulsa and Oklahoma City car wreck lawyers.
Insurance companies will tell you that their shop is better because it’s been “approved” or checked by them. They may tell you their shop is faster, or cleaner, or better. They may tell you that they will guarantee the work of their shop, but not others. They may even tell you that you will be responsible for repair costs at your shop and you would not be at their shop. In reality, the insurance company wants you to use their shops because they have more control over such shops. All reputable shops guarantee their work. In Oklahoma, you have a legal right to use any shop you wish. Who do you want the shop to answer to: you or the insurance company? If you are experiencing any problems in this area, please contact Carr & Carr Attorneys. An Oklahoma car accident attorney in our firm will be able to assist you.
Q: Why wouldn’t the insurance company pay the full costs of repair?
A: Some insurance companies use confusing terms to avoid paying for the full cost of replacing certain damaged items on your car. They say that replacing a used part with a new part makes you better than you were when the accident happened. Called “betterment,” or sometimes “depreciation,” this practice fails to consider the fact that you would not have had to replace the item at all had it not been for the accident! A skilled negotiator, such as the Oklahoma attorneys and appraisers at Carr & Carr, can make sure that your repairs are fully paid when legally appropriate.
Q: Will my car lose value because of the accident?
A: Sometimes, a car will lose value because it has been involved in a car accident. If the car is not fully or properly repaired, it may lose value because of the inadequate repairs. Some cars may be worth less even if they are fully repaired. Which would you choose to buy: a car that has never been involved in an accident or a car that just came out of the repair shop with $10,000 in repairs? This differential is called “diminution in value.” Insurance companies will rarely tell you about this and are very reluctant to pay for this. However, in some cases, you may be entitled to compensation from the insurance company for the diminution in the value of your car. The experienced Oklahoma car appraisers at Carr & Carr Attorneys can help you through this process.
Q: What if the insurance company does not want to use original equipment parts to repair my car?
A: Many insurance companies will try to use after market parts on your car. These parts may be manufactured by overseas companies and may be much cheaper than the original parts that were damaged by the accident. Let the Oklahoma insurance and car wreck lawyers at Carr & Carr Attorneys help you get only the best to return your vehicle to its pre-loss condition.
Q: It was only a little fender bender. Shouldn’t I just keep the check for repairs and not get my car fixed?
A: The insurance company is quite happy for you to accept their check and not get your car fixed. Consider, however, that one of the reasons the insurance company is happy for you to do this is because it is usually cheaper from them to pay you a little money than to actually have the vehicle repaired. This is because until a skilled repair technician completes a thorough inspection and possibly removes your bumper or other parts, no one can actually determine how much damage there is to your car. While the bumper cover may have just a little scratch, there may be damage behind the bumper cover that cannot be seen until the bumper is removed. Bumpers today are constructed of multiple layers of protection. Some of these parts are made of honeycombed Styrofoam which is designed to absorb impact only once. If these parts are damaged, their ability to absorb another impact is gone. You are not as safe as you would be if the car was repaired.
Q: How do I know that my car will be safely repaired?
A: Choosing a reputable shop that answers to you, and not the insurance company, will help make sure that all necessary repairs are made. Some parts on today’s automobiles are designed to absorb an impact one time and need to be replaced after that. In addition to the bumpers described above, other examples include seatbelt systems and some airbag components. Some seatbelts must be replaced after they have restrained someone in an accident because they will not work a second time. Similarly, when an airbag deploys, certain sensors and modules must be checked and replaced to ensure they will work if needed again. If you have been injured because of poor repairs, you may have additional legal claims. Please contact the Oklahoma, Tulsa and Oklahoma City auto accident lawyers at Carr & Carr Attorneys; we may be able to assist you.
Posted by Sharon D.
Tags: after market parts, betterment, bumper cover, depreciation, diminution in value
