I feel like crying - did I lose a friend?

[PA-99]

Last night my VX was sitting in a Mall's back parking lot, away from other cars, while I was inside the Mall for about 40 minutes. Upon returning, found my remote unlock would not work. Just as I was about to pull the key, my wife yells and points at her side.

Somebody in something big appeared to have backup up into the front passenger side. Someone had hit it and left with no note. It's not a horrible lot of damage, but it caused damage to hood, front cladding, fender cladding, fender, headlight, and door.

Went to start it and found that even though the dash lights came on, the car will not start. No ticking, not fuel pump, nothing. I decided right away to not mess with anything and just let the insurance company handle it.

Had it towed last night and am waiting for the dreaded call from the insurance adjuster. With the amount of parts that would need to be replaced, I'm wondering if my VX will see it's end.

Has anyone had any experience recently with this minimal amount of damage and the every limiting supply of accessible parts? Just trying to get an idea of what I will hear back.

[H3_VX]

Are there cameras at the mall you were at? Some do have them facing the parking lots. May be able to get a license plate # from it.

[PA-99]

Are there cameras at the mall you were at? Some do have them facing the parking lots. May be able to get a license plate # from it.

Unfortunately not. It's an older Mall that is not kept up. Police checked gas station at mall entrance for video, but didn't find anything.

Just got a call from the adjuster who will be coming to see the car tomorrow. "I've never heard of that car before" is not so reassuring.

[H3_VX]

Unfortunately not. It's an older Mall that is not kept up. Police checked gas station at mall entrance for video, but didn't find anything.

Just got a call from the adjuster who will be coming to see the car tomorrow. "I've never heard of that car before" is not so reassuring.

Sorry about what happened. As far as "never heard of that car before".......I think all of us have heard that. LOL! The damage does not look as bad as some others i've seen posted on here.

[MSHardeman]

Damage doesn't look terrible, but they did hit her pretty hard. Really must have been something big to get up on top of the fender/ hood that way.

Even though the dash lights came on, maybe something got dislodged in the fuse box and/or battery that wouldn't allow it to start.

Sorry this happened, but good luck going forward from here.

[samneil2000]

That is just low! Who could do that damage to another person's vehicle and drive away? AHHHHH
Good luck man!

[Scott Larson]

If it was tractor-trailer rig, I can see how that could happen; It still sucks all the same though!!

[VX KAT]

Contact VT_Maverick (and search for his thread on his wreck last Oct/Nov).

Even though his damage was much more extensive, he knows the process very well about how to handle the insurance adjustor and how to try to prevent them from "totalling" it.

I also recall "ala5ka" had a wreck about 4 months ago and his insurance and repair place were fantastic, helping him get all the parts, and not totalling it. Contact him for sure for some input (and search for his thread about it too).

Search for some other threads also, I know this has been discussed several times when other owners had to deal with it.

I recall "circmand" hit a deer recently and had to deal with finding a lot of parts and dealing with insurance....PM him.

A few months back, I recall there was a rash of accidents....so there were several owners that had to deal with this. Some let it go, but I know some found ways to get it fixed.

Anybody who had those wrecks, jump in if you can....

Good luck!

[JoFotoz]

That is SO WRONG...

Maybe the parts from here:-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...threadid=22807

...can help save yours?

Good luck..and Karma will get the other guy.

Jo

[PA-99]

I actually read down through the saga that VT dealt with to get some insight. I just went down to pull the plate off per the insurance company and found that the interior locking and window motors aren't working either. Makes me feel a little better knowing that since it is affecting so many items, that it is likely an issue concentrated by the battery (or like mentioned by MSHardeman). I know I just need to wait to see what the insurance company says before going searching, but I have a hard time sitting still. Hopefully the insurance company has one sitting in their yard somewhere with the parts available.

On another note, this has brought up some thoughts. I feel so attached to MY VX. I honestly don't feel that another one would fill the same spot in my "garage". To me, she was perfect, I'm not sure I could bear to get a different one.

[Gussie2000]

That damage had to be done by a tow truck,box truck or one of those trucks that carries materials/supplies or a very lifted truck.

Ridiculous the driver get away from this and nobody saw the incident.

I recall last year after clubbing that night around 4:45 this guy driving his pathfinder made a U turn in a "one way" street;He were so impaired of consuming much alcohol that he slam into two parked cars and tried to get away,he had to stop for the traffic light,i went and took few pics of his license plate,the damages that he caused to his own car and left a note on the windshields of the two damaged cars with the guy's pathfinder plates,color, year and time it happened.

I hate irresponsible drivers all day long.

[PA-99]

left a note on the windshields of the two damaged cars with the guy's pathfinder plates,color, year and time it happened.
.

DUDE!!!! You rock. Thank you from everyone that has ever been punished by hit and run. THANK YOU!!!!

Also, you can definitely see the imprint of the truck's light. There was an auction that night and many box trucks in the parking lot. I looked at everyone (twice). The auction is every Tuesday and damn straight I'll be there next week looking for it again!!!!

[MSHardeman]

On another note, this has brought up some thoughts. I feel so attached to MY VX. I honestly don't feel that another one would fill the same spot in my "garage". To me, she was perfect, I'm not sure I could bear to get a different one.

I TOTALLY know how you feel. Going through a possible engine rebuild with mine right now, and I have friends and co-workers asking why I don't just sell mine and get another VX, or another car altogether. It's hard to explain to them that that VX is MINE, and another one simply won't do.

[Scott Larson]

There seems to be an inexplicable bond that one forms with their VX, more-so then with most other cars...

[tom4bren]

PA,

Don't get too discouraged until you talk to the adjuster. Every insurance company is different so it's difficult to forecast what the outcome will be based on our past experience. Remember that an insurance adjuster's findings are his OPINION ... professional opinion yes, but an opinion nonetheless. You may ask for a second opinion if you don't agree.

I have the personal opinion that mine would've been totaled after I parked it on the side of a van on I-95 if I hadn't worked closely with both the repair shop and the insurance company. I helped source some of the parts & even did the leg work on getting the half shafts rebuilt.

Now is when your membership to this site is gonna pay off. Keep us posted on the progress and we'll help do whatever it takes to get your beast back on the road.

As for finding the dipstick that hit your VX. Don't lose any sleep on it. Unfortunately since there appears to be no witnesses, they'll never be held liable even if caught. My daughter was in an accident - exchanged info - other driver left before police arrived - police contacted other driver who denied being involved in accident - case dropped.

My condolences on your woes!!!

t4b