First off- here's what happened. I live in the state of Washington. I took my car to Jiffy Lube yesterday for an oil change and drove it back home (35mph or under). Today I was on the highway, doing 60 mph for less than 10 minutes, when my hood flies up and destroys my windshield. I'm not injured and I managed to safely pull off to the shoulder, and the state patrolman who helped me contact AAA did not file any report.
History- I've had my car for about 3 years now and have driven it in its previous state (windshield intact, hood not bent) for all of this time, sometimes at or above 75 mph without hood problems. However, the car does have some front end damage which makes the hood difficult to latch. It is important to point out that the latch did work, and was not malfunctioning, simply that the damage made it difficult to make the hood actually click into place. I've put a lot of maintenance into the car personally and know the hood does securely latch.
Problem- The manager at Jiffy Lube pulled up my service record and told me the first time I took the car there they said the hood latch was malfunctioning. I did not save my copy of this invoice, but the 3 I do have after the first visit do not mention the latch or hood at all. I also believe he is exaggerating what the invoice said- I remember it saying the hood was difficult to close, he says it was malfunctioning.
So, would my case stand a chance in small claims court? I only want a new hood and windshield installed, and even though I haven't gotten estimates at this point, I can not possibly imagine the total price being over $1200. I was driving on the highway on Monday, and for years before this event, and I find it highly questionable that this happens after I had my car serviced, but their invoice saying my hood latch was malfunctioning gives me doubts.
If I need to include any more info just let me know. Thanks in advance!
History- I've had my car for about 3 years now and have driven it in its previous state (windshield intact, hood not bent) for all of this time, sometimes at or above 75 mph without hood problems. However, the car does have some front end damage which makes the hood difficult to latch. It is important to point out that the latch did work, and was not malfunctioning, simply that the damage made it difficult to make the hood actually click into place. I've put a lot of maintenance into the car personally and know the hood does securely latch.
Problem- The manager at Jiffy Lube pulled up my service record and told me the first time I took the car there they said the hood latch was malfunctioning. I did not save my copy of this invoice, but the 3 I do have after the first visit do not mention the latch or hood at all. I also believe he is exaggerating what the invoice said- I remember it saying the hood was difficult to close, he says it was malfunctioning.
So, would my case stand a chance in small claims court? I only want a new hood and windshield installed, and even though I haven't gotten estimates at this point, I can not possibly imagine the total price being over $1200. I was driving on the highway on Monday, and for years before this event, and I find it highly questionable that this happens after I had my car serviced, but their invoice saying my hood latch was malfunctioning gives me doubts.
If I need to include any more info just let me know. Thanks in advance!
