Was headed home from work yesterday and got hit by a kid in a Honda Accord in Prichard. There are two southbound lanes on HWY 43 and then an additional turn lane opens up on the right. I was in the turn lane, and the guy was in the far left lane. I believe he missed a turn and so he cut across the right lane and into the turn lane and hit me in the wheel. I saw all this start to happen and hit my brakes and turned, but he was coming at too hard of an angle. He got out of the car and tried to talk me into everything I did wrong. I cut him off and just said, "Hey man, if it's all the same to you I'm just gonna talk to the officer, thanks."

Incredibly, no body damage (dents) to my truck with the exception of the wheel, which looks like an 8-yr old tried to parallel park against a really sharp curb. Side of my front fender is scratched, but structurally fine.

Took it to a collision repair shop this morning and they said to have it aligned (it was slightly out, but not significant), and for them to look for any other issues that could be related to the impact. Sitting in the waiting area getting it aligned now.

The kids mom called me last night (picture Madea) and asked me what happened and if I was going to file a claim. I told her what happened and she said, "Yeah I figured that's what happened when I asked him." I have a feeling he got a butt chewing last night. She said he'd already totalled a mustang (per his Facebook pictures, that was a NICE mustang) but that they had to pay for his liability insurance so he could have something to drive. They told me he doesn't have the money to pay any deductibles so she was going to have to talk to her husband about it.

Police report won't be ready until Tuesday. I was hoping the damage on the wheel could be buffed out, but the collision repair folks said it was too much to cosmetically fix.

I wasn't expecting a call from his mom, I would just as soon let the insurance companies sort it out (that's what we pay them for), but it sounds like I am going to be hearing from these people again once I file a claim on their insurance.....

I guess I'll add, his accord was pretty beat up. You could see black rubber marks where he hit me and his front side panel looks like an accordion. Looking at his car from my driver's seat before I got out, I was expecting a lot of body damage. I guess the wheel took most of the impact. Drove it on the causeway and on the interstate this morning and didn't see, hear, or feel anything odd.

What kind of truck is it and how much is a new wheel if you dont mind sharing that?

I'd get the cost of the new wheel and the paint repair on your quarter panel, throw in 20% for your headache in having to deal with it, and offer the parent the option of paying you in cash if you agree not to file the claim. Did you get a police report written up and did he cite the younger driver with reckless or improper lane change?

If they want to pay you that is fine since you know how much it is. No down payments and no paying it off. Since they sere nice enough to call you give them the option of paying before you file it against their insurance, which it sounds like they have. If they don't have insurance and won't pay, then turn it over to your insurance and let them deal with it. The first money they collect from them will go back to you for the deductible.

But the best option, easiest and best for all is for them to pay you for the damage and in cash or a good check. Congratulations it sounds like your were run into a kid with responsible parents. That is like having a unicorn poke you in the butt.

No citations unless the offense was committed in the officer's presence.

That must vary from state to state. My brother was given a ticket in Florida after he hydroplaned and hit the guard rail. No LEO present at the time of the accident. We also have company drivers issued citations when involved in an accident across the country with no LEO present.

The truck is a 2012 Ford F-150 FX4 (5.0). It's been paid for for about 3 years, and I planned on driving it until 250k or 300k miles. I'm guessing the wheel would be about $3-$400 or $150 from a junk yard.

Officer didn't do citations or offer any guidance (and I didn't ask). The wheel replacement was quoted at $650, and the body work was $650 (so $1300-ish, total). That also excludes alignment, which is a given.

I would like the wheel replaced since they cannot repair it, at minimum. I'm not sure how liability insurance works, but I'm assuming any kind of deductible would be cheaper than the $1300 or even the $650 for the wheel portion of the repair.

Plus, (and this is just me using what interactions I've had so far), I have a feeling that working outside the insurance companies will end up being an ongoing negotiation...I don't see how it's going to be a "once and done" deal. Seems like their bigger concern is going to be the insurance rates on their 24yo son whose already totalled a mustang and now has had another accident where he is liable.

On one hand I don't mind doing things in a way that makes it less painful for them, but I also don't want to deal with the headache that this is going to turn into.

Yep, if it is obvious what happened, they will absolutely write them for sure in FL. Did not know that they would not in AL. Good to know.

Call them back. Tell them $1,500 cash to avoid a claim, and give them a specific day you want it by. If no cash by then, file the claim.

Not having a wreck on your vehicle or your record benefits you as much as it does them.

This is prolly what I would do too....Only one chance though, no excuses.....

Yep, good advice. Only one chance, if they burn you then file it.

File a claim and avoid the headache / waste of time you are about to go through.

What the man said.

Yep, if you deal with these folks, you will probably hear every excuse in the book as to why they can't pay you. Deal with the insurance company and be done with it.

A different type of headache, but one that will at least pay you eventually.

Sounds to me like a 24 yo that needs to get his own insurance.

I’d a been limping out the truck and hollerin about my neck be hurtin

CALL ME ALABAMA!!!!

That's HILARIOUS!!