Snobbyalexa
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida, Broward County
Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this short, but if you think you can help, I'll provide the full story.
I got in an accident that wasn't my fault and was paid a check by Geico. Stupidly, I didn't take it to their certified shop, but to another mechanic that a 'friend' had suggested. They fix my car, it looks good (I don't know much about what the mechanic parts should look like but I don't notice any issues). About a month later my AC stops working, which I think is odd, and I assume it was the condenser, but continue to drive anyway because the temps were cool. One day, I start to hear a rattling noise while pressing on the gas, and then while on the highway, my radiator cap/hose flies off, and now my motor is ruined. (Someone told me the rattling could have been timing belt/chain coming loose. as well the radiator hose came off) I confronted the mechanic about it and he told me that the insurance only paid for body work, and he didn't touch anything mechanical on the car, so it's not his fault. What? I get a copy of my estimate and of course there are mechanical parts that were to be fixed, the condenser, radiator etc. They took my money and only fixed the cosmetic parts!!! *furious*
So, I look up a little bit about small claims court and they say that if you can get another mechanic to testify that the repairs were not done properly, the court will probably rule in your favor. I also have a text from the scamming mechanic telling me he didn't touch anything mechanical in the car, which means he did not fix the things listed in the estimate, which means he took my money for nothing. That's insurance fraud! And, if they can prove that he didn't fix it properly, don't you think he would be responsible for the repairs I have to get now?
I'm going to fix the very expensive problems with my car and then sell it/trade it in and get a new one. So a few questions.
1. Is anyone a mechanic/have a honest (seriously) mechanic that will get my car back driving so I can sell it?
2. Would anyone/do you know anyone who would testify these repairs were not done in small claims court?
3. Should I get a lawyer/how much are they for this case/can anyone recommend someone?
4. Any other advice of how to approach this would be so helpful.
This experience has been a nightmare. Any help would be so appreciated.
Also: he made me pay in cash and did not issue a receipt.
Hi everyone. I'll try to keep this short, but if you think you can help, I'll provide the full story.
I got in an accident that wasn't my fault and was paid a check by Geico. Stupidly, I didn't take it to their certified shop, but to another mechanic that a 'friend' had suggested. They fix my car, it looks good (I don't know much about what the mechanic parts should look like but I don't notice any issues). About a month later my AC stops working, which I think is odd, and I assume it was the condenser, but continue to drive anyway because the temps were cool. One day, I start to hear a rattling noise while pressing on the gas, and then while on the highway, my radiator cap/hose flies off, and now my motor is ruined. (Someone told me the rattling could have been timing belt/chain coming loose. as well the radiator hose came off) I confronted the mechanic about it and he told me that the insurance only paid for body work, and he didn't touch anything mechanical on the car, so it's not his fault. What? I get a copy of my estimate and of course there are mechanical parts that were to be fixed, the condenser, radiator etc. They took my money and only fixed the cosmetic parts!!! *furious*
So, I look up a little bit about small claims court and they say that if you can get another mechanic to testify that the repairs were not done properly, the court will probably rule in your favor. I also have a text from the scamming mechanic telling me he didn't touch anything mechanical in the car, which means he did not fix the things listed in the estimate, which means he took my money for nothing. That's insurance fraud! And, if they can prove that he didn't fix it properly, don't you think he would be responsible for the repairs I have to get now?
I'm going to fix the very expensive problems with my car and then sell it/trade it in and get a new one. So a few questions.
1. Is anyone a mechanic/have a honest (seriously) mechanic that will get my car back driving so I can sell it?
2. Would anyone/do you know anyone who would testify these repairs were not done in small claims court?
3. Should I get a lawyer/how much are they for this case/can anyone recommend someone?
4. Any other advice of how to approach this would be so helpful.
This experience has been a nightmare. Any help would be so appreciated.
Also: he made me pay in cash and did not issue a receipt.