What legal rights do I have if my insurance carrier had a body shop make repairs after a minor accident but the repairs are substandard?
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What legal rights do I have if my insurance carrier had a body shop make repairs after a minor accident but the repairs are substandard?
They actually make the car look worse than after the accident. What options do I have?
Asked on April 9, 2013 under Accident Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If the repair shop will not voluntarily compensate you for the poor-quality repairs (or re-do them to a higher standard; or pay for someone else to re-do them), you could try suing the body shop for professional negligence (not providing services that rise to commercially acceptable levels) and/or breach of contract (not doing what they were paid to do). If the cost to correct the problem is likely $3,000 or less, you probably are best off acting as your own attorney in small claims court; for more, you may wish to retain an attorney.
The above is if your insurer will not help you. Start by contacting you insurer and explaining the problem to them: they may step in to correct the situation.
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