A guy hit my bumper & was going to do a hit & run, but the security guard ran out to let me know my car was hit & I was able to stop him. I have the whole thing on video. He only had a CA license, no insurance or registration (NJ plates). I went to the dealership & got an estimate. The guy wants me to go to his guy to get an estimate (the friend is doing him a favor & won't charge labor). Do I have to go to his guy or will another bodyshop estimate be fine? The estimate for the bumper work is $1,000. If I go to court & he has a low estimate from his friend's body shop is the judge going to award me that low amount considering it's his friend who is doing him a favor? I don't think that it'd be a fair estimate for the work to be done if I choose to take my car elsewhere.
