When Tina Betterson picked up her Kia Optima 2019 from the dealer after motorterel devices, she expected to drive home with some peace of mind.
But instead, she noticed that she only recorded a frightening video a few hours later when her car was broken in her driveway. The daughter of Betterson, who was initially in the car when the fire started, could escape before the car was flooded.
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“She's like” Oh my God, I can't get out, “said Betterson Wfmy News 2 and described the frightening moment when her daughter was briefly in the burning car.” She said when she heard a click and opened the door and she jumped out. “
The moving incident left the family without a vehicle, thousands of dollars in debts and concluded a dispute with the dealer about who is responsible for a car repair that went terribly wrong.
Major repair changes into a fiery nightmare
Betterson reportedly brought her car to a local Kia dealer in Greensboro, North Carolina, weeks earlier due to a problem with oil consumption. The mechanics at Kia replaced the engine in Betterson's car before picking it up and drove him 10 miles back to her house.
That was when the fire broke out, giving Betterson and her daughter the fear of your life. Fortunately, the daughter of Betterson managed to free herself before the car was completely overwhelmed in flames, and Greensboro fires responded quickly and managed to get the fire under control.
When Betterson contacted the dealer's service manager about the incident, he could not explain what happened with Betterson's car.
“The service manager … he didn't know what to say, truthfully,” said Betterson.
It was even worse, it took Kia for four months to complete his research, which eventually discovered that an “incorrectly routed cable tree contacted with hot AC lines, melting insulation and led to the electrical event that ignited in the neighborhood.”
WFMY News 2 reporters spoke with different car dealers about standard protocols for replacing an engine, and everyone said that a car should be tested at least 50 miles after a large motorcycle. Betterson's car, however, was reportedly tested for only five miles before it was returned to her.
“You [the dealership] You told me that you were driving the test with it, and it literally flew within 10 miles from me who drove home, “said Betterson.” This could have been an unimaginable tragedy. Thank goodness, this is not a personal injury case that I am here about today. “
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Taking legal action
Although the dealer Betterson offered a rental car and during the study covered around $ 6,000 in rental costs, this situation brought Betterson into a major financial position.
“I finally said to my insurance, go ahead and pay it, so this does not appear on my credit,” said Betterson, who submitted a claim to her insurance company after months back and forth with Kia.
After WFMY News 2 Reporters contacted the dealer of Betterson, the insurance agreed to cover the remaining $ 3,500 balance on the car loan of Betterson. But Betterson has refused the offer because she believes that the dealer has not done enough to repair the situation. Betterson has also indicated that she intends to take legal action against the dealer for negligence.
For the time being, she joins the rows of drivers who fight for accountability after the repairs have gone wrong, so that others are warned about the potential dangers that are lurking under the hood, even after professional work has been done.
How you can protect yourself against a similar nightmare
The experience of Betterson emphasizes how vehicle repairs can sometimes become a disaster. Although rare vehicle fires are particularly worrying after the rise because they often occur when drivers believe that their vehicles have been made safer.
For drivers who are worried about finding themselves in a similar situation, here are a few precautions that you can take before you agree with large car repairs:
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Get a written estimate before work is done on your car.
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Ask for the inspection protocols after the rise, including testing distances.
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Request documentation of all work performed, including components replaced.
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Consider having a second opinion from an independent technician for major repairs.
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Understand your coverage for car insurance for incidents after the recovery.
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This article only offers information and may not be conceived as advice. It is provided without any form of warranty.
