| blondy |
Hello BLOCKER and other advice givers :)
Apologies if this has been covered before...
Obviously accidents are plenty this season....and the body shops are booked up to July...are there are "laws" "rules" as to what the extent of damage one can have on their vehicle?
A friend was in a crash on the weekend...the vehicle is deemed drivable...she was rear ended...no light on one side....bumper is more or less hanging but still attached to the body...
No one will even look at it right now....
Is there a law that one must have two red lights on the back...how much is too much vehicle parts hanging from the car?
Hope you understand this babble and thank you in advance for any advices
:) |
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| Invalid Zero |
| Ummm..... no lights on one side? Tell your friend to keep that heap off the road till it's fixed. |
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| blondy |
quote:
Originally posted by Invalid Zero
Ummm..... no lights on one side?
Her one brake light is punched out yes
quote:
Tell your friend to keep that heap off the road till it's fixed.
I told her that....it's not the light so much I care about but I envision that bumper coming loose or parts of it and go flying off into someone...I figured there must be some law that would prohibit people from driving their accident damaged cars on the road (or there should be)
But her's isn't the only one I've seen....there are others out there taped...roped...bungy corded...
Ridiculous !!
Thanks :) |
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| Twigs_Dee |
quote:
Originally posted by blondy
Her one brake light is punched out yes
I told her that....it's not the light so much I care about but I envision that bumper coming loose or parts of it and go flying off into someone...I figured there must be some law that would prohibit people from driving their accident damaged cars on the road (or there should be)
But her's isn't the only one I've seen....there are others out there taped...roped...bungy corded...
Ridiculous !!
Thanks :)
Heres an idea for the bumper! Pull out the 8mm or 12mm sockets and take the bumper off before it does itself and helps itself to causing another MVA. Or duct tape the crap out of the bastard back to the car! |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
I was involved in an accident wher I tboned someguy who made a right turn from the left lane when I was right there...
His insurance asked me if the car was drivable, I said technically yes, legally no, they said too bad to rental for you til it goes into to the body shop.
Cops never said one word about the flailing body parts and missing all the lights on the drivers front corner... (I took off all the flailing parts after I visited the cop shop)
Is it legal.. no... chances of getting a ticket, slim to none, unless parts are falling off, ie.. the rear bumper starts to come off and drag on the ground and what not |
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| anschutz_93 |
| As long as there is still something left of the tail light (and bulbs still light up) just throw some red tape over the entire light assembly. As long as your tail lights are red you cannot get a ticket. You can also remove the rear bumper cover, its just for looks anyways :rolleyes: . |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
A vehicle may not emit white light to the rear (unless reversing), so any exposed bulb (ie: missing it's red lens cover) is illegal (and, for motorists behind you, very annoying, especially when it's a brake light bulb).
Either cover it with red, or at minimum, remove all of the bulbs.
As to the bumper cover, if you can't remove it (with tools), cut the offending loose parts off. If it's as shattered as I expect (hanging off), it'll need replacing (as opposed to a simple repair), so it won't affect anything. A good utility knife'll cut through it. the last thing you want to happen is that you're on the road, it falls off and causes a collision behind you, and somebody has your plate number....for not only is it criminally negligent (debris falling off a vehicle), but civilly negligent too...so you could end up in court. |
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| AudiInProgress |
quote:
Originally posted by MX5 Miata Guy
Either cover it with red, or at minimum, remove all of the bulbs.
Remove the bulbs? That's the dumbest thing you could ever suggest. |
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| BLOCKER |
It depends on the condition of the vehicle...
If your friend has no tail lights, it is unsafe for the road. if your friend has one of the tail lights and the other is damaged, but is still workable, (ie signal lights work brake light lights up) just do as anschutz_93 suggested...
just ensure that there are not body parts falling off the car when she drives.
your are allowed to drive a collision damaged vehicle for a reasonable period of time as long as you have the damage sticker affixed to your vehicle. |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by BLOCKER
It depends on the condition of the vehicle...
If your friend has no tail lights, it is unsafe for the road. if your friend has one of the tail lights and the other is damaged, but is still workable, (ie signal lights work brake light lights up) just do as anschutz_93 suggested...
just ensure that there are not body parts falling off the car when she drives.
your are allowed to drive a collision damaged vehicle for a reasonable period of time as long as you have the damage sticker affixed to your vehicle.
The red tape you use is called Tuck Tape, any hardware store will have it, sticks very well and is opeque(sp?) to the point where a mostly red colored light will be emitted while using "clear" bulbs.
The tail light on my snowmobile is busted and that's what the previous owner used.. still on there(need a new seat, but that's a diff story).
Also on the damage sticker, I've noticed a couple body shops won't touch a car if it has over $1000 damage without one. |
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| blondy |
Thank you all of you for your advices and comments
I went over and taped her tail light...but she wouldn't let me remove the bumper lool...duct tape works wonders...it doesn't seem to be loose...so it should hold until the body shop appointment in March
Appreciate the help
:) |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
quote:
Originally posted by SilverNeonRacer
Also on the damage sticker, I've noticed a couple body shops won't touch a car if it has over $1000 damage without one.
Because they're bound by law...the police do visit repair shops and body shops to check VINs...either for un-reported collisions / hit 'n runs or stolen vehicles. |
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| MX5 Miata Guy |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
Remove the bulbs? That's the dumbest thing you could ever suggest.
Why? Hand signals are legal (read your Driver's Manual)...emitting white light to the rear is not legal (and fucking annoying). As a last resort, it's a viable option. |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by MX5 Miata Guy
Why? Hand signals are legal (read your Driver's Manual)...emitting white light to the rear is not legal (and fucking annoying). As a last resort, it's a viable option.
I wonder.... if your back end was smashed up pretty bad to the point where you couldn't tape it... but the bulbs still worked... if you swapped in some ricer red bulbs.. I know they are normally illegal, and after about 3mo will turn pink, if not a little sooner, but hopefully by that time you've made it to the body shop. If a cop stopped you for the bulb and you explained if they would let you go... it still would be brighter than having a white bulb behind a red lense... but it would be better than nothing... |
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| AudiInProgress |
Tail lamps
13(1) A self‑propelled implement of husbandry, a trailer, the last vehicle of a train of vehicles and a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle or moped, must have at least 2 tail lamps mounted at the rear.
(2) A motor cycle, a moped, a power bicycle and a trailer that is less than 760 millimetres wide, including its load, must have at least one tail lamp mounted at the rear.
(3) The tail lamps must be as widely spaced laterally as practicable.
(4) A tail lamp must be capable of emitting a red light that is visible from at least 150 metres to the rear.
(5) The centre of a tail lamp must not be less than 380 millimetres or more than 2 metres above ground level when the vehicle is not loaded.
(6) A tail lamp must turn on and stay lit when the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lit.
Licence plate lamp
14(1) The licence plate of a vehicle must be illuminated by a tail lamp or a separate licence plate lamp so that the licence plate is clearly visible from at least 15 metres to the rear.
(2) A separate licence plate lamp for illuminating the rear licence plate must turn on and stay lit when the head lamps are lit.
(3) A separate licence plate lamp may emit white light. |
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| AudiInProgress |
quote:
Originally posted by SilverNeonRacer
I wonder.... if your back end was smashed up pretty bad to the point where you couldn't tape it... but the bulbs still worked... if you swapped in some ricer red bulbs.. I know they are normally illegal, and after about 3mo will turn pink, if not a little sooner, but hopefully by that time you've made it to the body shop. If a cop stopped you for the bulb and you explained if they would let you go... it still would be brighter than having a white bulb behind a red lense... but it would be better than nothing...
If you had a completely smashed out housing... Then there would be no reflector, and you would be in violation of the TSA, all over again...
IF YOUR SHIT IS BROKE - FIX IT! |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
If you had a completely smashed out housing... Then there would be no reflector, and you would be in violation of the TSA, all over again...
IF YOUR SHIT IS BROKE - FIX IT!
True true... but the problem as is with the OP, the body shops are booked til march and as such, because it is technically still drivable(No I didn't say legal) the Insurance co won't give a rental until it goes into the shop. So should said person with the broken tail lamp park it and use the ETS, or do what they can to bandaid the situation to make it "more" legal until it can be fixed properly? Or what about situations like where I live, no public transit?
I did say it was still illegal, but it's better than not having a bulb or having a white bulb. And frankly I think the reflector part of the law is more so people can see your car while it's parked on the side of the road. You can always turn on the markers while driving and thus take away the "need" for a reflector while driving.
*EDIT* BTW.. we don't have a TSA in Alberta any more. It's Vehicle Equipment Regulations Act or something like that. :P |
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| AudiInProgress |
If that is the OP's situation... I call bullshit.
If they were involved in a no-fault accident, they should call the other insurance company, and demand a rental.
Simply tell them, that due to the damage, the vehicle (while still physically driveable) does not adhere to the laws and regulations governing use on the roads... Having broken/faulty tail lights makes it dangerous to drive, not to mention ILLEGAL.
Throw that word "illegal" in there, and tell them, that if you receive any tickets while driving the broken vehicle on the city streets - that you'll be seeking compensation for monetary fines and demerits on your license... All because the fucking cheap insurance company didn't want to pay for a rental...
You'd be surprised how easy-to-deal-with that insurance company becomes.
:blue: |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
If that is the OP's situation... I call bullshit.
If they were involved in a no-fault accident, they should call the other insurance company, and demand a rental.
Simply tell them, that due to the damage, the vehicle (while still physically driveable) does not adhere to the laws and regulations governing use on the roads... Having broken/faulty tail lights makes it dangerous to drive, not to mention ILLEGAL.
Throw that word "illegal" in there, and tell them, that if you receive any tickets while driving the broken vehicle on the city streets - that you'll be seeking compensation for monetary fines and demerits on your license... All because the fucking cheap insurance company didn't want to pay for a rental...
You'd be surprised how easy-to-deal-with that insurance company becomes.
:blue:
That happened to me too though, where the ins co didn't want to pay for a rental for the 3-4Mo before my car could get into the body shop, I told them it was illegal, they said is it still drivable, I said yes it moves, but illegal... they still said no. I suppose I could have taken it higher to IBC.... but it wasn't worth the hassle... I had no lights on the drivers front corner, and I did a lot of night time highway driving. I did rig an interm corner marker without reflector so cars coming head on on the highway could see that side of my car.
Also My insurance didn't have rental coverage so I would have had to pay their silly $15-$20/day insurance, or take a chance. I've never seen an insurance company cover that cost. |
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| AudiInProgress |
quote:
Originally posted by SilverNeonRacer
That happened to me too though, where the ins co didn't want to pay for a rental for the 3-4Mo before my car could get into the body shop, I told them it was illegal, they said is it still drivable, I said yes it moves, but illegal... they still said no. I suppose I could have taken it higher to IBC.... but it wasn't worth the hassle... I had no lights on the drivers front corner, and I did a lot of night time highway driving. I did rig an interm corner marker without reflector so cars coming head on on the highway could see that side of my car.
Also My insurance didn't have rental coverage so I would have had to pay their silly $15-$20/day insurance, or take a chance. I've never seen an insurance company cover that cost.
That sucks dude... Sounds to me like you just didn't want to fight.
When my white crownvic got smashed while parked, and it busted out my turn signal and knocked my headlight loose... I demanded a rental car from the other persons insurance company... I refused to take no for an answer... I told them that not only were they going to pay for the rental, they were going to pay the $100 deductable, and they were going to pay the $15/day additional insurance.
They paid the deductable, and the rental, and then tried to fight the additional insurance coverage... But in the end, they paid everything.
It was something like $2000.00 for a months worth of rentals.
I told them, that their dumb client, smashed into my parked car... And I wasn't going to take so much of a penny out of my own pocket. |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
Good to know for next time. I could see how you can get them to cover the $15/day for the extra coverage if you have full or comp/collision on your car. I can see it being a harder fight getting them to pay for that if you only have PLPD.
Oh and here's something for you.
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| AudiInProgress |
I only had PLPD...
But I refused to pay the extra coverage on the rental.
It ended up being like $500-worth.
Why should I have to pay $500 because somebody else hit my parked car?
Doesn't make sense. |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
I only had PLPD...
But I refused to pay the extra coverage on the rental.
It ended up being like $500-worth.
Why should I have to pay $500 because somebody else hit my parked car?
Doesn't make sense.
I see your point, and why should you take the risk of racking up a car worth more than yours that got hit, and having to pay damages on it. I can see it, I guess it's all in how you word it/present it to the other insurance company.
For me it wasn't worth the hassle as I live 100miles north and I'd have to drive to Edmonton get a rental, some how get both cars home, then park mine, then later get both cars to the city so I could drive the rental home. The body shop didn't want the car on their lot sitting for the months before they could get to it, some what understandable. |
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| BLOCKER |
quote:
[i]
*EDIT* BTW.. we don't have a TSA in Alberta any more. It's Vehicle Equipment Regulations Act or something like that. :P [/B]
Your thinking of the HTA (highway traffic act)... We currently have the TSA (Traffic Safety Act) |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by BLOCKER
Your thinking of the HTA (highway traffic act)... We currently have the TSA (Traffic Safety Act)
Your right :P heh oops.. |
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| AudiInProgress |
You're, both of you, and thanks BLOCKER for proving me correct once again.
:blue: |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
You're, both of you, and thanks BLOCKER for proving me correct once again.
:blue:
You're right on the your... but not the TSA.. You were right on the name of that document, but what you quoted was out of the Vehicle Equipment Regs... :lol: :blue: |
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| AudiInProgress |
I realized I quoted the vehicle equipment regulations...
But I then continued on to say, that if you were pulled over, for lacking rear reflectors... You'd be issued a ticket under the Traffic Safety Act, because operating a motor vehicle without reflector is unsafe.
:) |
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| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
I realized I quoted the vehicle equipment regulations...
But I then continued on to say, that if you were pulled over, for lacking rear reflectors... You'd be issued a ticket under the Traffic Safety Act, because operating a motor vehicle without reflector is unsafe.
:)
AHhhhhhHHh I see.. |
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| BLOCKER |
| The vehicle equipment regulations are regulationss under the Traffic Safety Act |
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| Blackout-spec |
im almost in the same situation, my rear bumper was falling off and one of my tails was totally smashed.
it took me a few times and some fierce bitching with their insurance company to finally get my rental car. i told them if my bumper falls off on the highway or i get hit again because of no taillight, i will be calling a lawyer to get compensation. also, i told them i have valuables in the trunk that i dont want wrecked due to high moisture.
needless to say, i got a rental car with everything paid, everything!
i posted pics of my rear end on here in the general chat section if you want to compare for sake of argument.
remember the insurance company is not your friend. if you have to be a total prick and be rude, then do it. i was nice at first, but once i realized i was not getting anywhere, i started to turn into an asshole. |
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| Ruiner |
if you want to try Nisku AutoBody, they might get you in..
When I had my accident, they were the only ones who were available without having to wait months.
955-2900
great service, and they did an excellent job on my truck. |
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| blondy |
quote:
Originally posted by AudiInProgress
If that is the OP's situation... I call bullshit.
If they were involved in a no-fault accident, they should call the other insurance company, and demand a rental.
Thanks and there was no bullshit...
After I read your post I told her to be more demanding.
She now has a rental so I thank you a lot for your reply :)
I wasn't aware it was so difficult...when I was hit head on by a semi my insurance company had a rental booked for me immediately...I didn't even have to ask
quote:
Originally posted by Blackout-spec
remember the insurance company is not your friend. if you have to be a total prick and be rude, then do it. i was nice at first, but once i realized i was not getting anywhere, i started to turn into an asshole.
How true...she had to push a little but in the end has a car Thanks a lot !!
quote:
Originally posted by Ruiner
if you want to try Nisku AutoBody, they might get you in..
When I had my accident, they were the only ones who were available without having to wait months.
955-2900
great service, and they did an excellent job on my truck.
Thank you for the tip...previous to your post she got some results...the car is at her requested body shop...waiting for its turn (March)
Appreciate the feedback everyone |
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| AudiInProgress |
| Glad everything worked out! |
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