Dealing with an entitled person who thinks they should be compensated for their own mistake can be one of the most frustrating experiences. That said, an auto repair mechanic in Texas was fixing a car’s transmission at the shop before taking it out for a test drive. Unfortunately, the mechanic got into an accident, totaling the vehicle. Since it’s not the car owner’s fault, the auto shop’s insurance will pay the vehicle’s cost. However, the mechanic demands the owner to still pay for the repairs prior to the accident; otherwise, they refuse to release the car to insurance.
“The problem I have is that we have no idea if the repairs were ever actually completed, no proof that the car was whole again when in the accident,” OP, the child of the car’s owner, tells Reddit’s r/legaladvice. They continue, saying, “It’s one thing to pay $5000 for a new transmission and then have a working car for at least a few more years, but to take $5000 out of a $15,000 payout means they are hardly going to be able to find a good functioning car.”
Needless to say, an overwhelming majority of the users in the comment section recommend that the Texas car owner let their insurance handle everything. All the legalities involved should be managed by the insurance company as well. However, if the mechanic ultimately decides to take legal action or even sue, then the owner should have a solid case against them. “Service was not completed. Owner did not receive / accept repaired vehicle… Service provided insurance should cover based on increased value of vehicle,” a commenter remarks.
Other users were upset at the audacity the Texas auto mechanic had in the first place to still demand compensation for the repairs. “The people saying to pay them $5k are out of their f**king minds,” says one. “They are not withholding the car from their own insurance company. They fucked up. They have to eat it,” chimes in another. Fortunately, OP has provided an update on the matter, explaining that the insurance company is handling the entire matter. Still, the owner is prepared to hire a lawyer if need be.
