Betterment Charges assesed on a auto repair?

Betterment Charges assesed on a auto repair?
A man hit me from behind in a automobile accident. I went to the repair shop to check on my car and they told me that I would have to pay a Betterment charge for certain parts. The parts in question were directly related to the automobile accident, and now they want me to pay $200.00 Should I have to pay for this when the accident was not my fault and the insured got the ticket?


Answers:

musiclicker:  Get a lawyer, and the sooner the better! This is a legal issue, and unless you are, or you know an attorney, then there is no way anyone could tell how it will go. You feel you are in the right, and they feel they are in the right. The person that hit you got the ticket, so this does give you a leg up on the situation. Most of the time just threating to get an attorney will do the trick, because they aren't going to fight something they know they stand a very good chance of loosing. Without being specific, NO one can tell what is betterment, and what is not. This means you are trying to repair the vehicle back better than it was before the accident. An example would be having the whole vehicle painted when just the fender was damaged. They will pay for the fender but not the whole paint job. In reality it would seem you are correct due to the paint won't match, and they are correct due to the whole car needed painted anyway. If you tell them you will get an attorney and fight them, they will weigh out if they want to pay for an attorney to fight it or not. They won't fight it because they stand a chance on loosing, and financially it would be easier, and cheaper to just pay the money. It is up to them to settle with you, and they have to settle with you. You don't have to take the first offer they shove at you. Stand your ground, be firm, and just tell them you aren't going to go for that, and they will hear from your attorney as soon as you can hire one. Remind them that they will have to pay your attorney fees too, and if thats what they want, then so be it. Glad I could help. Good Luck!!!
2006-12-12 11:02:28
Rod Farva:  Be sure that you can sue the folks that hit you for the parts. BEFORE that though, ask them WHY, and get a second, third, and 4th opinion before paying ANYTHING.
2006-12-12 11:03:01
convoiceofreason:  Call your insurance company and let them contact the other drivers company. They will handle it.
2006-12-12 11:05:34
bostonianinmo:  If they had to repair old unrepaired damage in order to repair the damage done by the other driver, that will not be covered by insurance. Most likely you WILL have to pay that if that is the case. Who got any tickets has nothing to do with the matter at hand.
2006-12-12 11:14:36