so what if this happened to you?

let me set the stage

your house, mid-day, nobody's home, you have a full-size truck parked 5ft from garage at the end of the driveway - just like anyone would park - about 60ft of driveway behind it before you get to the street.

fed-ex dude, with a delivery, decides, "hey, these packages are big and i should back into the driveway to get as close as possible to the house" >>not a bad idea, work smart not hard right?

proceeds to do so but apparently doesn't stop

hits truck, truck goes through house into garage.

1. brick / foundation / structural damage because truck half hit garage and house

2. truck *(in 'P'ark) rolls 5-7 ft *(not skids) // crushed tailgate w/ possible transmission damage

3. garage door totaled


what do you do? fed-ex hires independent companies to run the routes so you'll be up against their insurance co. do you play it cool and just let things work themselves out? do you get a lawyer and prepare for a possible ass-fuck? i'd love to hear your opinions.

6/7/2011 10:28:49 PM

I wouldn't get a lawyer until/unless they start dicking you around.

6/7/2011 10:34:14 PM

document everything...pics, videos, the more the better

if they screw around find a half-intelligent lawlyer who works for no-fees, decent commish

[Edited on June 7, 2011 at 10:35 PM. Reason : .]

6/7/2011 10:35:11 PM

Document COMPLETELY

Get quotes on EVERYTHING

Then play it cool, see what they do first.

Best part about the situation is that they came onto your property and then caused massive damage out of carelessness.

Keep us posted for sure

6/7/2011 11:04:16 PM

shit. i have no advice (outside of what was already given), but plz to keep us updated.

6/7/2011 11:48:26 PM

Quote :

"Document COMPLETELY Get quotes on EVERYTHING Then play it cool, see what they do first. Best part about the situation is that they came onto your property and then caused massive damage out of carelessness. Keep us posted for sure"

6/7/2011 11:54:03 PM

pics or it didn't happen

6/8/2011 12:33:15 AM

I got hit in a fender bender

and the first mothafuckin thing I did was jump out and start snappin cell phone pics

I know it is already after the fact based on your story, but as a rule of thumb, the IMMEDIACY of cell phone pics of people/places/things/time of day/ and even the exasperated expression on the face of the guilty driver (especially if he's still sitting behind the wheel) are ALL VERY KEY!

so yes, I think you already have/know the answer which is to get the documentation in order and file with YOUR insurance company and then let the two carriers work it out so that your company later subrogates for compensation from the delivery people. Always better to let the insurance companies work it out between themselves and get your compensation early. Your premium should not go up in general, and it's done if you do it with yours because filing with their carrier will be met with an unending string of delays as a tactic

6/8/2011 1:24:45 AM

Get a lawyer, independently owned companies are a bitch to get money from.

6/8/2011 6:36:47 AM

If it was just my vehicle that got damaged, I'd probably "play it cool" but when you add damage to my home (and even possible powertrain damage to the vehicle) I think I would get a lawyer asap. There are just too many ways an insurance company can fuck you over that I don't think I could play it cool when the structural integrity and monetary value of my home is at risk. A $20k car vs a $200k house. Either way I think I'd do a consultation with a lawyer, sooner than later, just hear what they think they can do, and go from there.

[Edited on June 8, 2011 at 9:38 AM. Reason : ]

6/8/2011 9:36:50 AM

You dont need to contact a lawyer. You need to contact your insurance company. You will be making a claim, and they will subjugate against FedEx since you are not at fault. They will get their lawyers involved.

6/8/2011 9:41:05 AM

^ subrogate

I feel like I've been subjugated to bad use of the English language ITT

6/8/2011 10:01:20 AM

thanks for all the advice - i'm pretty ignorant about these types of things.

the cop that came to take the report recommended first contacting the company's insurance people and if they weren't cooperating, contacting mine.

i have a million pictures and a police report *(on it's way) - apparently it's going to be a hit and run because the dude reported it to nobody but his insurance folks.

i'm fairly bummed because i just re-did the entire front of the house - trim/siding/paint-n-all

6/8/2011 10:10:28 AM

^^ My bad I dont use that word often enough. But I didnt read your post, and we basically say the same thing!

6/8/2011 10:25:07 AM

I'm pretty sure you're at fault here for not providing proper hi-vis warning signs on your house and vehicle.

6/8/2011 11:17:49 AM

so the company's insurance appraiser wants to meet whatever contractor i have quoting the reapirs out at the property so they can discuss while they inspect the damage.

I was like "i agree that's a good idea, we'll see if we can make it happen" - i'm hesitant to do so - half of me thinks it makes sense - half is worried that that's a sly move by the insurance co.

6/8/2011 12:19:16 PM

Unless you sign away your rights to file any more claims, you shouldnt have anything to worry about. My experience is that they are going to make this right for you. It was obviously their fault. I'd stop worrying and just go with the flow.

The last two car accidents I was in were the other drivers fault. I didnt even contact my agency. I called their insurance company and made a claim. They admitted it was their policy holder fault within 24 hours, and my car was repaired correctly to my satisfaction on both times.

If you aren't going to listen to the advice on this thread that is solid (call your insurance agency), then you should just stop posting about it.

Just don't sign anything to the effect that the claim is settled until you are absolutely sure and you'll be fine.

[Edited on June 8, 2011 at 12:41 PM. Reason : .]

6/8/2011 12:40:21 PM

^ya - i will call my insurance folks today - both auto and home

6/8/2011 12:50:23 PM

pics?

6/8/2011 2:04:33 PM

^i'll upload tomorrow-

6/8/2011 2:06:05 PM

id have the contractor meet before hand and get a game plan together. then allow the insurance folks to come meet with him.

also, may not be a bad idea to get on the horn with your insurance company and let them know whats going on

6/8/2011 4:02:03 PM

updates?

6/9/2011 10:04:30 PM

Tell them you kids can't sleep, won't order anything off the internet and are scarred for life. Tell them that you family screams, cries and hides anytime they see a UPS truck. Tell them your 4 year old daughter comes into your room at night and says the fed-ex man is under her bed.

6/9/2011 10:18:05 PM