Category Archives: Information

Car Care, Information

So You Wrecked Your BMW — What’s Next?

German engineering is the opposite of flimsiness. That’s why getting into an accident doesn’t cross the minds of many BMW owners. When they do, they can be unprepared and not know what to do.

It’s natural to be disoriented after a car crash, but knowing how to handle the situation can help you collect yourself and prevent things from going bad to worse. Follow these steps if you wreck your Bimmer.

Make Sure You’re OK

Prioritize the health and safety of everyone in the vehicle over everything else. Look for cuts, swelling, burns, bleeding and other visible injuries. Watch for signs of nausea, such as dizziness and the urge to throw up, as these suggest an internal injury. Move only if you confirm you’re not nauseated.

If you’re mobile, see if you feel pain when you move. Touch every part of your body from head to toe to find anything aching that may necessitate prompt medical intervention. Spinal damage may cause numbness and tingling sensations, meriting immediate medical attention.

The adrenaline rush may mask injury symptoms, though. Determining whether you’re hurt immediately after a vehicular accident can be challenging.

Call 911 for medical assistance if someone is injured. If no one is physically impaired, stay calm and get yourselves to safety. Get out of the Bimmer and go to the side of the road. Maintain a reasonable distance from the vehicle to avoid harm if it catches fire and explodes.

If the vehicle damage is minor, move your operable Bimmer to a safer location. Doing so clears the road for other motorists and safeguards the car from further damage, especially in a busy area.

Contact the Police

Notify the authorities about the incident. The investigating officer documents the event and may offer an opinion on how the crash might have happened. The officer drafts a police report, representing an unbiased account of the accident. This official document contains facts and insights, including witness identity and statements, that your insurer needs when investigating what happened to approve or deny a claim.

A police report is helpful but not mandatory. You can file a successful claim without it, especially if you wreck your Bimmer alone. Still, having a copy of it may help ensure your car insurer covers emergency auto repairs accordingly. It supplements any photos of the wreck you take after the accident, lending more context and credence to the evidence you gathered.

Obtain a copy of the police report from the local law enforcement agency’s traffic department. Its identification number should be on the receipt the investigating officer gives you before leaving the accident scene. This request generally comes with an administrative fee.

File an Insurance Claim

Inform your car insurance provider about your loss as soon as possible, and cooperate with its investigation. It allows your insurer to handle your claim more efficiently. Failing to do so may prevent you from getting paid for many reasons.

Prompt reporting may be a policy requirement. It enables your insurance carrier to act swiftly and collect accurate evidence about the incident. Car insurance companies use accident information for risk assessment to calculate premiums correctly. Your insurer may penalize you by voiding your policy, making it more difficult and more expensive to get insured in the future.

Locate the Nearest Repair Shop

Find an auto repair center to get your Bimmer fixed. Most advise against driving your vehicle after an accident, so use a towing service, which shops typically offer.

Decide between a dealer and an independent auto repair shop. The BMW community hasn’t reached a consensus on which option is superior, as each has unique advantages.

Many say go to a dealership for warrantied repairs. If your Bimmer is under warranty, you can pay an up-front cost to extend the original term and save cash on expensive repairs in future services. Read the fine print because extended warranties may have limitations, so understand what remains covered and what is not to set your expectations.

Others, especially those not paying for a luxury insurance policy for higher coverage limits, prefer independent shops to save on labor. Good and bad apples exist on either side of the aisle.

Moreover, your car insurance company may recommend some auto repair shops, but you’re under no obligation to use any of them. These referrals may come with strings attached, which can be a discount for the insurer in exchange for business for the mechanic.

The safest option is using BMW’s Certified Collision Repair Centers network. These centers can be dealer-owned or independent, but the German luxury automaker approves them all. They meet the brand’s high standards for performing acceptable repair techniques, using state-of-the-art technology and installing genuine parts.

Regardless of your decision, exercise due diligence and use your best judgment to determine which option makes more sense for you.

Mitigate the Effects of a Bimmer Accident

Nothing can ever prepare you for a vehicular crash, but knowing what to do next can reduce its negative impact on your life. Remember these tips if you find yourself in this nerve-wracking situation.

Editorial, Information

What Are a Few Obstacles to Widespread EV Adoption in the US?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are showing up in more driveways, parking lots and car commercials — but they’re still not the default choice for most Americans. 

While the benefits of EVs are clear, there are some key challenges slowing things down.

1. Higher Upfront Costs

EVs can be expensive to buy and largely unaffordable for the average American. Even with federal tax credits and some state incentives, the price tag of an EV is often higher than that of a similar gas-powered car. 

For example, the base price for a new EV ranges from around $32,000 to upward of $100,000. However, you can get gas cars for significantly cheaper.

2. Not Enough Charging Stops

Charging access is one of the main reasons people hesitate to buy an EV. Gas stations are practically everywhere, but charging stations are much harder to find, especially in rural areas, smaller towns or along highways where people travel long distances. 

It’s not just about having a charger nearby, it also has to be the right kind of charger. Level 1 chargers — the ones that plug into a standard wall outlet — can be slow, sometimes taking a full day to charge. Level 2 is better but still not as efficient. Fast chargers can give you an 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes. However, these are limited and often in high demand. 

Long road trips can quickly become stressful if you’re unsure where the next fast-charging station is or if it’ll work when you get there. Until EV charging becomes as common and convenient as filling up with gas, many drivers just won’t make the switch. 

3. Limited Vehicle Options For Now

The EV market is expanding, but many segments are still underrepresented. Right now, a lot of EVs are either compact cars, expensive sedans or luxury SUVs. If you need a reliable, budget-friendly vehicle for a growing family — or a tough pickup truck for hauling gear — there are limited options. 

Truck options like the Ford F-150 Lightning or Rivian R1T are helping, but they’re still pricey and hard to find. Some brands promise more variety in the next couple of years, but until EVs are available in all sizes, styles and price points, many drivers won’t find one that fits their needs.

4. Worries About Range and Battery Life

Even though newer EVs can go 250-300 miles on a charge, there’s still a lot of worry about running out of battery on the road. This “range anxiety” is real — especially for people who live in colder climates (where the battery range can drop) or drive long distances often. 

Battery technology is improving, but it’s not perfect. Some drivers are concerned about how long a battery will last, how much it costs to replace and how the performance changes over time. 

Right now, a replacement battery can cost several thousand dollars, although warranties often cover them for years. Until people feel confident they can drive their EVs as easily and reliably as a gas car, this anxiety will continue to hold some people back.

5. Uncertainty and Misinformation

Many people still don’t fully understand how EVs work. They’re not sure if they can drive through rain or snow safely. They might think the batteries are dangerous. Or they might believe that building and charging EVs is worse for the environment than using gas.

Some just aren’t comfortable switching to a vehicle they’ve never driven. A test-drive can go a long way, but many dealerships don’t have EVs in stock or don’t know how to answer questions about them. 

6. Apartment and Condo Living Makes Charging Difficult 

A lot of EV owners change their vehicles at home overnight. That works great if you have a garage or drive away. However, charging is a much bigger challenge for people in apartment buildings, condos or even dense urban neighborhoods without assigned parking. Multi-unit buildings that offer EV charging are more likely to attract and keep tenants who drive EVs. 

However, installing chargers in shared or rented spaces often requires approvals from property owners, HOA boards or city permitting offices. It can be expensive and complicated — and sometimes not possible at all. Without easy access to home charging, EV ownership becomes less practical. 

7. Supply Chain Issues and Long Wait Times

Even if you want to buy an EV, you might not be able to get one right away. Many EV models still face long waitlists, supply chain delays and limited production. Global shortages of things like semiconductors have slowed manufacturing.

This leads to fewer vehicles on dealer lots, higher prices and frustrated would-be buyers. Until supply can meet demand, it’ll be tough for EVs to take over the mainstream market. 

The Future of Driving

The future of driving in the U.S. is electric — but getting there takes time. Expanding charging networks, lowering costs, offering more vehicle options and educating drivers are all important steps. EVs are already a great fit for many people. 

Editorial, Information

Should You Trust a Verbal Contract at a Dealership?

Buying a car is exciting as you start a new chapter in your automotive journey. The experience is even more exciting if you can get a fantastic deal. However, your luck may run out if the salesperson offers a verbal contract. Should you trust it? 

Here’s how you should approach these agreements.

Should You Trust a Dealership’s Verbal Contracts?

Verbal contracts are enforceable at car dealerships, though they shouldn’t be your first choice. Prioritize written agreements because they provide more clarity for everybody involved. Conversations can be misinterpreted and are difficult to prove in court unless you have proof, so it’s better to have concrete evidence of your deal. 

Get written documentation of any deal you get from the dealership. Emails, texts and paperwork are excellent options and can provide more legal backing. If you’re unsure, ask an attorney experienced in contract law to draft a template for both parties to sign. Car buyers who can’t get the salesperson to sign may consider walking away from the agreement. 

Is a Dealership’s Verbal Contract Legally Binding? 

A salesperson may offer a verbal contract when offering deals on a new car or repairs. These dealership commitments are generally enforceable, though it depends on state laws and the judge’s interpretation of your case. Specific details matter and could make or break your argument when shopping for a vehicle. 

The New York State Bar Association says state courts recognize oral agreements and have become more receptive to them in the 21st century. While specific aspects of your contract must be in writing, common law holds verbal agreements to the same standards as written ones if they consider finalizing them in a formal document. 

Regardless of the state, you must understand the fine details to enforce the contract. For instance, the statute of limitations matters when the dealership offers a deal. In California, you have up to two years to file a lawsuit for an oral agreement. Written deals get more leeway and allow four years after they occur. 

How Can You Prove the Dealership’s Oral Agreement? 

Whether buying a BMW or simply servicing the air conditioner, you expect a fair price. What happens if the dealership backs out of its verbal contract? If you take legal action, you must prove your case to a court. While challenging, it’s possible to validate your claims. Here are a few reasons why your verbal contract could hold weight. 

1. Offer Acceptance

One of the strongest legal backings your contract could have is an offer and acceptance. Experts say this factor may make it legally binding and prove the validity of your agreement. Offer and acceptance is a basic concept in law that includes a promise to enter a contract based on specific terms and conditions. 

2. Detrimental Reliance

Suppose you verbally agreed to pay $30,000 for your new car’s out-the-door-price. However, the dealership’s finalized total was $38,000, leaving you befuddled and with less money in your wallet. Your attorney could claim detrimental reliance, occurring when a party suffers losses because of broken promises by the defendant. 

3. Capacity

You and the salesperson should be able to enter a valid contract for the car or services. A court of law may inspect whether you or the dealership employee were in the right mental state to reach an agreement. If both parties meet the criteria, you may see the verbal agreement enforced. 

4. Consideration

Consideration is a significant part of your verbal contract and may determine its legality. This legal term includes the exchanged promises given between both parties. If you and the salesperson agree to the promise, the agreement may become enforceable. Legal experts say you could substitute consideration for good faith modifications, though it depends on the situation. 

Can You Get Out of a Verbal Contract With the Dealership?

Proof and a solid attorney can enforce your verbal contract with a dealership and get the agreement you want. However, flipped circumstances may mean you want to leave the arrangement. Can you get out of the deal without repercussions? Depending on the state and local laws, the situation may be in your favor. 

If you want to get out of a deal, New Jersey law may be helpful to customers at the dealership. The Consumer Fraud Act protects buyers from deceptive practices in vehicle sales, so salespeople must follow strict regulations. Car buyers and the business must have a written agreement to enforce a contract. 

Getting a Fair Shake at the Dealership

Buying a car is a complicated song and dance, especially when the law gets involved. The salesperson may make a verbal offer on a vehicle or repairs and receive your happy acceptance if the deal is good. Is the contract legally binding? Oral agreements can be enforced in court, though they can be tough to prove. Be safe and get everything in writing.