What would you guys do(legally, no killing) if valet/dealer crashed your car? Where I live, there are laws that really limit my options to go after that for compensation so I'm leaving out some details at this moment until I speak with a lawyer.

I guess under this scenario:

• Negligence was definitely the cause, there is not way around it
• Damage is still pending assessment, but should be mainly cosmetic
• Value is likely diminished - referring to collectability
• It'll probably be 6 weeks before you get your car back
• Nothing was signed for waiving liability

My reality is that it's impossible to replace a car that is spec'd out to me. Especially, not at MSRP again... so I'm just curious how other enthusiast would react.

 

That's the problem with a Porsche GT#, you can't leave it in a ditch, get a ride to the dealership and drive away with another one.
You need to buy two.
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2016 white/black GT4
2008 white/amaretto S8

 

It would suck, but going through legal hurdles and other nonsense would just drag that hurt on longer and make it worse IMHO. If it's totaled, I would make a strong case to insurance about the payout if they tried to lowball me on a regular depreciation curve (it would be up to insurance to subrogate the negligent party for compensation at that point, not my problem), then I'd maybe look for a used GT4 or else find something else. I'm not quite sure what that something else would be, but we're in sort of a golden age for car enthusiasts right now and there's a lot of great machinery out there, so I'd just try to get myself into something that will make me happy again asap rather than fixating past injustices or freak accidents. The GT4 is a great car, but at the end of the day it's still just a car, and there are more important things in life more deserving of one's time, like being happy and staying calm so you'll live longer.

If it's NOT totaled, much of the same still holds for me: get insurance involved, let them deal with the valets, take it to a top notch shop for repairs, arrange rental car coverage through your insurance if you have it, and then move on with life. That attitude may have cost me some money here and there over the years, but I'd rather have a bit less cash than an attitude that will have me constantly fighting and dragging resentment baggage around even years after an incident. That wears you down over the years and turns you into a bitter person by the end IMHO.

A guy I know had his PTS 918 side-swiped on his drive home right after picking it up from the dealer. Repairs were some absolutely obscene amount of money, but he's over it and the car looks perfect.

 

If it was a Ferris Bueller situation I would definitely lawyer up. If it was a valet / mistake situation the establishment in question should have insurance which pays for the cosmetic issue and fix.

If you're driving the car and giving it to valets then I'd say it's likely this car won't be "collector grade." My guess is a lawyer would tell you it's very difficult if not impossible to prove that the car is going to appreciate without any history to point to.

For resale value, make sure you get a top notch porsche body shop specialist, document the whole thing and then tell that to the next buyer. If you can avoid it make sure this doesn't get on the carfax as an accident otherwise that could be painful. Actually now that I think about it you could maybe get them to pay you for the percentage drop in value for a car with an "accident" on the record if you could somehow get hard data that shows an avergage percentage drop in value.

But you also have to weigh the stress and inconvenience to you. If the cosmetic damage is minor and you plan to keep and enjoy the car I wouldn't sue unless they're not going to pony up for top-notch repairs.

I'm sure there are a lot of lawyers here that can help. Just giving my opinion.

I feel for you though. It really sucks.

 

I've luckily never had to deal with any of this, but if the car is insured and the owner isn't found at fault (which he couldn't possibly be here), then why does it matter to the owner whether the valet company pays up beyond I guess the owner's deductible? My understanding is that part of the point of having insurance is precisely so that you don't have to jump through legal hoops to get compensation in cases like this. Instead, you just call your insurance and let them sort out the rest on their end. What am I missing?

 

You mean that I didn't already do once I discovered the damage? In all seriousness, others have already said it......the best you could probably hope for is diminished value and a very good body shop. Hope this all works out for you GL..............Phil

 

Sorry for your loss, on quick first read it looked only hypothetical.
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2016 white/black GT4
2008 white/amaretto S8

 

This is great advice. Insurance companies have great lawyers, and you should let your insurance company handle it on your behalf. They will go after the valet/dealer to recover every penny they paid to repair your car. They will even recover your deductible, and give it back to you.

 

True I meant if it was a joyride then maybe a lawsuit would be worth it because that's not just a normal mistake.

You're right if OP contacts his insurance they should deal with it, and get the money from the establishment's insurance.

But if it was a joyride situation then perhaps he could get more compensation beyond just fixing the car properly.

 

dude...serious ? it is a car,call your insurance company then buy another car. stop the HBO princess drama

 

I wish I had that kind of money, unfortunately 1 to stock and 1 rock can only apply to shoes.


I agree with you guys, it's not worth the headache and prolong emotional drag. I was hoping impartial enthusiast opinion can help me sit better with the whole situation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to go after them for what this car could get in the future - more a way to vent my frustration - but the immediate value loss suggested by my dealer(what was offered to take my car back right before this incident was definitely good chunk of funds - wasn't planning on doing it though).

I don't know how bad the damage is, if there's frame damage then I'd fight to the end to not take it back. The car will be going through their insurance, and everything will be fixed to my standard - but it'll never be the same. Also, I' don't valet my car. I guess a better description would have been that this person as an employee at a car wash. This car wash exist in my building and does not require more than a few levels of parkade moving.

Anyways, appreciate the opinion guys, it definitely makes me feel a little bit more at ease.

 

Not sure if it was a joyride, but definitely going faster than needs be in a parking lot.

If I could easily replace my car, I wouldn't even sweat a moment of this situation. It's not like insurance will replace your car just because there's significant damage...
Unfortunately(fortunately?), I've worked hard enough to finally purchase something I've dreamed off but I don't have the means to "just buy another car at way over MSRP."

 

You would know if it was a joyride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jWwjzHGsJY

 

Happened in a residential parking lot, mid way back to my spot... I personally call it a stupid judgement call than joyride. Although, I guess one hinges on the other.

 

Right... So i walk into the dealer and just buy another one right? To bad it's not that easy.

A car you spec'd and waited months for will not and can not be replaced... not unless you miraculously get another allocation and wait another 6 months for the car. (unlikely)