joel - 3-3-2010 at 11:21 PM
This is one of those moments that I really appreciate BajaNomad. I'd have no idea where to get advice....
Some good friends were driving my lifted Suburban out of La Paz this afternoon and were hit by a driver coming around a blind curve who lost control.
Fortunately everyone is totally fine, but the other car severed the driverside front tire and sounds like mangled the suspension pretty badly.
Apparently the cops came out and were really helpful and everyone agreed that the other drive was at fault.
Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with a badly damaged lifted Suburban that's in La Paz. My friends live in San Juanico and I'm in LA.
Where should I take the car to be fixed? Somewhere in La Paz? Cabo? Get it on a truck back to the states?
Do I just get money from the insurance company or are they responsible for getting all of the parts from the U.S. to Baja (the suspension is not OEM)?
Do I deal with my insurance company (ACE) or the other driver's?
joel - 3-3-2010 at 11:27 PM
The other driver's insurance is Qualitas.
monoloco - 3-4-2010 at 07:14 AM
We have had very good luck with Ramon at Servicio Sanchez on the corner of Mexico and Independencia. Haven't found anything he couldn't handle.
k-rico - 3-4-2010 at 07:18 AM
I'd say deal with your insurance company, let them deal with the other company.
Paulclark - 3-4-2010 at 07:20 AM
When I wasd involved in an accident the 2 adjusters worked together and arranged the repairs. They took me to the Ford dealer -- but that was for a
Ford.
joel - 3-4-2010 at 08:31 AM
Thanks. I called my insurance company and they are sending out an adjuster. I'm pretty worried about how they'll deal with the non OEM suspension and
getting the parts to repair it.
monoloco - 3-4-2010 at 06:42 PM
Probably half the trucks here have non-oem suspension on them. Don't worry it's not rocket science, someone here can fix it for you.
TMW - 3-4-2010 at 06:54 PM
Deal with your insurance people and who ever they take it to for repairs. Talk to them and make sure they understand the vehicle setup. For special
parts they may have trouble getting you may be able to put them in touch with the right people. It is your insurance companies responsibility to deal
with the other peoples insurance company. If you don't press them and stay in touch the repairs could take several months.
joel - 3-5-2010 at 09:03 PM
Man, what a frustrating process. My insurance company has been quite responsive, but they can't get the vehicle out of the impound lot in La Paz. The
accident happened on Wednesday, there is no question from the police that the other drive was at fault, but the car won't get released until Monday at
the earliest.
Any other suggestions for mechanics in La Paz who could fix this? Unfortunately, unless I have it trucked to the US, it's going to be there by itself
in La Paz until it's fixed.
monoloco - 3-5-2010 at 10:06 PM
Take it to Servicio Sanchez it's one of the best shops in La Paz. 612-123-0130
rob - 3-6-2010 at 09:28 AM
Hi Joel - I drive a lifted F350 myself. You say "I'm pretty worried about how they'll deal with the non OEM suspension and getting the parts to repair
it." - you should be.
Maybe its not rocket science, as suggested, but those lift parts are very carefully engineered (liability!), and although I have huge respect for the
welder/racer/mecanico talleres in La Paz - this is a repair that should be approached with caution.
The insurance company will only be interested in getting you back on the road at the least possible cost - not in re-engineering the damage to
original specs.
Daniel Gerardo at Taller Chicote (on Sinaloa one block towards the water off Abasolo) is a commercial welder and mechanic and builds racing cars and
suspensions in his spare time - he is a man you can trust (12-22227). He might do the minimal repairs to make the truck drivable, and suggest you take
it back to the USA for a complete new OEM kit refit.
joel - 3-6-2010 at 03:19 PM
Rob and Monoloco,
Do you know if either mechanic speaks English?
Thanks,
Joel
rob - 3-7-2010 at 09:10 AM
Joel - Daniel does not speak English - take a spanglish-speaking friend, especially if you are looking for advice on what exactly to do.
joel - 3-7-2010 at 09:16 AM
Thanks. Good to know ahead of time.
monoloco - 3-7-2010 at 09:34 AM
Ramon only speaks Spanish.