Some drunk hit my Viper

[Cop Magnet]

Okay, this is a story in development since the middle of winter. Just got some pictures back, so I thought I'd tell the story as it stands. First off, sorry for the long post. Secondly, please no flames regarding the dust and dirt on my car. I am currently in an apartment situation, and although much less than desirable, I'd rather have the car close to me even when I can't drive it.

 

I have a great parking spot on the first floor right across from the entryway. Leaves me plenty of room and no one should really be anywhere near me. The only people across from me are the ones parking in the handicap spots. Whenever it snows badly, though, people from the uncovered top floor do tend to park in the handicap spots.

 

The morning after our last big snow, I came out to find the left rear corner of my car bashed in. The tail-lamp was busted, the rear panel cracked, the bumper cover scraped, and a gouge in the quarter panel. See for yourself:

Hmmm, maybe I should replace those screws by the inner panel vents..

 

The offender left no note, and the only evidence was a single piece of trim off the other person's car. Looked like a backup lamp housing, but smaller. There is a video camera pointing at the entrance, and I hoped it might show my car and what happened, but unfortunately it didn't. Of course, this was clearly an accident, and probably occured from someone backing out of the handicapped spots. But just in case you're thinking maybe they hit my car and didn't even realize it, take a look at what i found on the back window. I've lived here for three years and no one has ever once messed with my car. To the contrary, everyone seems to look out for it and I always get positive comments.

 

So here's where the story takes a turn for the better. Later that night, after no positive input from the police or the apartment staff, I did a little detective work. I took the little piece of this guy's car around the parking lot with a flashlight, and checked all the rear bumpers of the other cars. Lo and behold, a direct match on the top floor. A black, full-equipped X5 sport. What is this little piece? Ironically enough, it the cover from the friggin park-distance control!

And here's the corresponding damage on his car, matches up exactly to mine.

 

So I leave this guy a note, and say he hit my car and better call me and the police were already involved. He called me the next morning and initially was very defensive and denied it could have been him. So I tell him we are looking at the video, which does show my car, and that I found the piece of his car there. He then says maybe it was his wife, as she drove that morning. He assures me he is very wealthy, would pay any reasonable amount out of pocket, and would prefer not to have the police or insurance involved at all. He drives the X5 and also has a BMW 6 series convertible.

 

The snow delays an estimate a little bit, but in the meantime I find out a little more about the guy. Nobody knows what he does, but he seems to have a lot of money. Older guy, and he's divorced (so the wife story was BS as suspected). He's an alcoholic and has had some trouble with the law and the apartment building. I remembered he was passed out in the lobby about a year ago, and I checked on him while an ambulance was on the way. Again, I live in a very nice place, son't let this or the condition of my car fool you. I also remember his BMW 6 was parked in the loading zone for about a week after this, presumably because he was in detox or something. So now it made sense why he wanted to pay cash and not have the police involved. Probably has a few DUI's to boot.

 

So I get the guy an estimate, $3K, and he agrees to pay right away. Made me feel I should have padded the bill a little. But then he starts stringing me along. He says his lawyer told him to get a copy of the "cancelled" pollice report. He calls me multiple times and says he'll be dropping a check off later that day, but doesn't. I stop by his apt many times without any answer. Finally, he calls me at 4:45 AM one day and says he'll be dropping the check off and just wanted to let me know. I start tearing into the guy, and he apologizes and says he's on his way to the airport and it was the only chance he had to call. Of course, no check later the same day.

 

So I call him later and get his voicemail. I rip into him and tell him I've been more than patient. His request for a cancelled police report is ridiculous. I am doing him a favor by not calling the police, I don't owe him anything. I tell him the police report will include his plate number and the "video".

 

He drops a check off the next day, $3K. And yes, it did clear. Then he calls me a few more times telling me he wants to get together and shake hands over this. What a moron. I don't want to become friends with this loser, I just wanted the money he owed me. It's not like I came out ahead on any of it.

 

So I took my car to a new shop in Northbrook. The owner, Ron, is an all-around great guy and total car enthusiast. Autowerk's is the name of the shop, and it looks first-rate. The shop is filled with Ferrari's, high-end BMW's, AMG's, and Bentley's. The paint booth is amazing. They also sell all kinds of aftermarket gear. I ordered a Gaylord tonneau cover for my SS while I was there. It's nice to have someone who knows what they are doing and who you can trust with your baby. I'll post pics of the "after" version of the car as soon as I can. Thanks for reading!

[brobradh77]

Sucks about the Viper but thats great you did the detective work and although it took some time found the a-hole that hit you and left. you deserve hope you get it fixed soon.

Edited April 18, 2007 by brobradh77 (see edit history)

[zanis520]

i hate people like that, ive had that kind of thing happen way too many times

[kelleyperformance]

yea hes got dough, thats a 4.8l X5, not a cheap ride.....

[Schmids5.3l]

Good to hear you got your money. I hate being in the position you were in, I dont have much patience for anything unless Im fishing.

 

Did you ever ask him about the wanger drawn on your window?

Edited April 18, 2007 by SchmidDaddY (see edit history)

[faceliftedss]

wow what a douche he lives in the same apartment complex as you and doesn't expect to get caught? dishonesty sucks glad you nailed him. nice work!

[CoolBlueSS]

Good job busting the dirtbag, and glad you made him pay, too. Why is it that some rich people don't pay their bills?

[Cop Magnet]

Yeah, the dick in the window is what really irritated me the most. But I kept my cool about it. Didn't want to blow the chance at a clean cash break from this situation by getting all my hackles up. It pissed me off, but it's over.

[wody]

yeah their drawing was rediculous. almost like he/she/they hit your viper on porpuse and then left their mark of jealousy.

[tehoatim]

Glad to hear you got it resolved I know you probably would have loved to get back at that shady prick, they say revenge is sweet but it also causes wars. .02

[Oo p0op oO]

cant beleive i read all of that.......but i did......and thats awesome!

[cwest94]

I read all of that as well, and good for you in taking justice into your own hands. That was a awesome story.

[packjh]

i personally like the serial killer gloves but sucks about your viper, i cant beleive you actually found the guy. Most of the time around here if somebody hits you your pretty much outa luck

[ChevySSandChevy8.1]

Its good that you caught him and made him pay up. His repairs are going to cost a lot too, when my 4.8is got rear ended it was about the same damage as that drunk's x5 and it cost three grand. Good luck with repairs.

[Cop Magnet]

Ha ha. Those are some serious OJ gloves. You got me there!