If I Hit Another Motorist in My Car, I am Legally Obligated to Fix Their Vehicle

[laughingliberal]

Does anyone here interpret that to mean I, personally, have to do the mechanical and body work? Or that I'm allowed to go to the shop that's doing the work and dictate to them how to fix it and what parts they must use? Am I even allowed to dictate what company they must contract with to have the work done?

Or does it make more sense to say the law means I must, financially, take responsibility for having their vehicle fixed? If I have some expertise and offer to help with the repair work but am found to be trying to cover up the damage rather than fix it, should I be able to say the law says I'm responsible for fixing the car and you have to let me do it the way I say it needs to be done?

Obviously, the above example is ridiculous. But the argument that the law making the oil companies responsible for cleanup after oil spills means we have to leave them in charge of the efforts and can't bring in others to do the work makes about the same amount of sense.

[Lagomorph]

1. If you know anybody who has experience...

...working oil well disasters 5,000 feet underwater, I'm sure Obama would love to hear from them. I'll bet his phone is ringing off the hook.

It's a little "you broke it, you fix it" and a little like having the guy in the radioactive compartment try to fix it so you don't lose anybody else.

What they are doing is inventing and making the stuff they need, as they go forward.

As it turns out, nobody was ready for this. You can smell the arrogance.

[laughingliberal]

3. No, but there are quite a few around with experience cleaning up

the massive spill in Saudi. They've been getting the bum's rush run around from BP when they've called and offered assistance. I have no doubt the stopping of the 'leak' will be a lengthy process. Meanwhile, I believe BP is doing a piss poor job on the clean up efforts and attempting to cover up the extent of the damage.

Obviously, no one was ready for this. And BP is not willing to use those who have been through it before. Arrogance, indeed.

[Cleita]

2. In my experience, when a car needed fixing and insurance was involved, in the past,

three estimates were required from three different fixers. Then it was between you and the insurance to argue it out. However, that was forty years ago. Now the insurance sends you to the shop they will pay for and only for the work they pay for. You don't have a choice these days.

[truedelphi]

4. That would only be the case if you happened to be

The Chairman of BP at the time you caused the damage to the car.

In all other cases, the answer would be a resounding "No!"

[stray cat]

5. According to DU - it means you should get the coast guard to treat the seriously injured

and make sure you don't have any specialists like doctors or hospitals involved.