Are you a victim of an Atlanta traffic accident? If you're not careful, you could also end up a victim of a Georgia car repair scam.
Did you know that Americans spend tens of billions of dollars each year on unnecessary or faulty car repairs? Some of these repairs are honest mistakes, but many involve car repair scams.
Most of us don't know much about our cars. We trust what our mechanics tell us. This makes it easy for unscrupulous mechanics to rip us off. In this article we list common car repair scams that can affect Georgia accident victims.
Repair estimate scams
The mechanic gives you a quote for the repairs, but when you come to pick up your repaired vehicle, the bill is a lot higher. The mechanic may claim he found additional damage, but an ethical mechanic would have called to check with you before making the additional repairs.
In some cases, the mechanic has you fill out a blank repair authorization when you drop off the damaged car. He later fills it in with amounts that are higher than what you were quoted. Your signature makes it all look legal.
Intentional misrepresentation of needed repairs
If you have a recent model car, its innards are a mixture of mechanical parts, electronics and computer systems. The average accident victim has no idea how to repair or even maintain their own vehicle. They may not even know the names of the parts. This makes it very easy for a dishonest mechanic to convince you that you need unnecessary repairs.
Part replacement scams
A common car repair scam involves unethical mechanics who charge accident victims for parts that weren't used in the repair of their car. In fact, part replacement scams are often a double con; the mechanic also charges for labor to install the part that was never used.
Used part scams
Another type of replacement part scam involves used parts. There are sometimes good reasons to use used parts to repair damaged vehicles. But, you should not be charged for a new part when the mechanic installed a used part.
What can you do?
If you believe you've been a victim of a Georgia car repair scam, notify the Georgia Attorney General's office and file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Keep all your paperwork, including: estimates, receipts, work orders, and warranties. This will help you prove your case.
Was your car damaged in a Georgia car crash? Peachtree accident attorney Shane Smith has written a guide to help you get your car fixed and back on the road. Request your free copy of Property Damage Guide for Georgia.
If you would like to discuss your Georgia accident injury with a Peachtree accident attorney, contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656.