We decided to do a little shopping in preparation for the next days' company. We both looked a "little slobby" with shorts and flip flops on, but no problem, as we were just going to the store to pick up a few items and return home. It was about 4:15 in the afternoon. As Bob was backing out of the parking lot, he and a young Mexican guy were looking in opposite directions and accidently bumped fenders at the same time. You NEVER want to get in any type of traffic accident in Mexico we soon discovered, even if it is not your fault. We, of course, have Mexican car insurance as is required to drive in Mexico. At 4:30 pm, we called the phone number to reach our adjuster, but could not get through. The young man's father and their adjuster showed up on the scene in about 15 minutes. We called our banker who sold us the insurance (who also happens to be our Mexican friend) and she came right away to assist us as she speaks fluent English. She was able to contact our adjuster and found out that he is out of Guadalajara and while on route to us discovered that the teachers were on strike and had closed down the main road to Ajijic. He had to turn around and take an alternative route and did not arrive on the scene until 7:45 pm!! The young man's adjuster spoke good English and was very nice to us. He explained he had been doing this for many years and it was obvious to him, it was no one person's fault. He suggested we each take care of our own damage. When our adjuster finally arrived, he came to the same conclusion. Our adjuster was very much on our side and very helpful to us. However, the young man's father vaguely accepted any responsibility for his son's actions which meant he wanted us to pay for all the damages and we pay for our damages also. Because of that we now had to defer the case to the Traffic police. The Traffic policeman shows up, it is now about 9:15 pm. We have not eaten since noon. Our friend explains after much talking between adjusters and the other party, the Traffic Police will arrive and decide what is to be done next.
The dent in the other car, which was 2 weeks old - a Honda Accord.
Our adjuster getting out of his car.
The Traffic policeman doesn't even look at the cars , but says to follow him. We all get in our vehicles and follow him. He pulls out quickly and several cars get between him and us. We have no idea where he is going. It is dark now and we are trying to follow his flashing red lights as he has gotten pretty far ahead of us. We are following him down narrow dark streets in Chapala that look like it is not the "nicest" part of town. He stops, we park and get out on a dimly lit back street with an opening that has parked cars in it. He proceeds to explain in Spanish (Thank God for our good friend who has stayed with us the whole time and interprets) that we have 2 choices. One..we come to an agreement as to what to pay the other party or both of our cars will be impounded and we will have to go to court, get a lawyer and be fined each day about $10 dollars until it is settled. That can take from 5-who knows how many days with no car! The young man's father is apparently a wealthy man and obnoxious at that. He says give me 4000 pesos to fix my car. We discuss it with our friend and adjuster who say don't give him more that 2000 pesos. The discussion continues for about 25 minutes on that dimly lit back street. Really creepy! Finally we come to an agreement that we will pay him 2500 pesos...just to end this fiasco! We then have to drive home to get him the pesos and take it to him. It is now 10:30 pm. We are exhausted and hungry and that dear Mexican man wasted 7 hours to receive about $200 US dollars. His car and the one is son was driving was worth about $110,000! Does that make any sense to anyone? To think this can happen if it is not your fault at all!
Whew... I am glad that is over!
No comments:
Post a Comment