Got in a car accident

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

Classic "Sag" to the rear unirails. Not the worst I've ever seen, very repairable. However, with the other repairs needed it will be a pretty penny! Since your car is only worth about $1500, it's totalled. (That value is not based on any book or any market search, but rather on the fact that it's a 10 year old car with 224,000 miles. No normal person would pay over $1500 to buy it. Most people around here would consider it a $500 - $1000 car.) Even without unibody straightening, which would NOT cost a lot in your car's case. It's the bumper cover, reinforcement, rear body and deck lid repair/replace that costs a lot of money.
Just so you know, your car is safely driveable in its present condition. So if the laws of WI allow you to retain it, and don't legally require you to do repairs, then you'll get the money and a driveable vehicle. But I don't know the laws regarding that in WI.
In regards to the guy's company trying to screw you. If you go into it with that bad attitude, you're going to feel that way, no matter how fairly you are treated. Since you are claiming neck injuries, you can bet that that is where the "contentions" will come from, if any. They really don't care about your old, worn out car. They'll settle that quickly and fairly. It's your "injury" that will take some time.
If you want anymore honest, professional, specific advice, I'd be happy to provide it in a PM.

(Oh and BTW, if you had been in your Saturn the damage would have been nearly EXACTLY the same, as they are constructed EXACTLY like an Impala. Just the plastic outer body panels are different. But the unirails, trunk floor, and rear body panel are welded steel just like on your Impala. And the decklids were even steel on some Saturns. Just wanted to correct a common misconception that some people seem to have regarding some cars' crash-worthiness.)

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Got in a car accident

My experience tells me that when you try to deal with an insurance company with no lawyer the insurance company knows it can low ball you ,ignore you ,lie to you, make you wait and not even pay to have your car towed away etc. If you have any medical bills YOU NEED A LAWYER.. insurance companys LOVE it when people dont have one because with no lawyer you can not MAKE THEM DO SQUAT....You have no leverage

 

[Nandy]

Re: Got in a car accident

I agree with TilliamWe, the property damage claim is very simple and fast. There is really not much play for it as the value of the vehicle is pretty much set in stone. The personal injury claim is a lot slower because you have to be released from care before and personal injury is very hard to value outside of the medical bills/lost wages. How much is your back pain worth? How much was your inconvenience worth? Generally spoken the personal injury settlement starts at 3 times the medical bills and lost wages. That is more of a starting figure. It could be less or more. Not all insurance will try to screw you big time. I dont feel I was treated unfairly, it did took some time more than what I thought it should have. I did not retain a lawyer but had a lawyer friend of mine giving me advice on how to proceed. He thinks I did good. Actually economically I did better than having a lawyer as with a lawyer my award would have only increase a couple thousands more but I would have had less money for me after paying that lawyer.
You sound like a person that just want to be rightfully awarded. Hold on hiring a lawyer, deal with the insurance company in good faith and if when it is all said and done they have give you enough money to cover you car and medical expenses then let it go that way. I cannot see them not paying your medical bills or lost time as long as it is documented. The car, you are not going to get much there. In my case it help me that I got the boat close to free so whatever they gave me was more than what I paid. Even if they had lowball me on the boat value the personal injury award on it self had have covered the blue book of the boat. I hope that it work that way for you too.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Got in a car accident

I wont be getting a lawyer as of yet. And like I said, I'm not looking to gain more then what I am deserved. Not even looking for extra compensation. Just want my bills paid, and a fair value of the car or have the car fixed. That's all.

Actually I am calm, cool and collected. And i will remain so until I start to get shoved over. Then It will start to get nasty.
Just in my experience with insurance companies, they've always tried to roll over me. Granted it's only been 3 times in my life I dealt with insurance.

As long as they treat me fairly. Then it should get resolved quickly.


As for the "saturn" Reason I say this. I've seen Saturns in small colisions before and they never turned out good. Plus when a Semi bumped my wife when she had her saturn at a stop sign, just the light tap was about 500 in damage, Quarter panel, bumper, bumper cover and tail light. If that truck hit us I feel that bumper would have been crunched in..
I know vehicles are constructed with safety in mind, but were dealing with a compact car vs a full size car.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

Buzz, your observations with the Saturn are relavant, but you are missing the point. I won't belabor the point any more.
In accordance with insurance law and I assume WI state law, you will be offered a bodily injury settlement that includes related necessary medical expenses, plus additional compensation for work time lost and pain and suffering. That's just the way insurance works, in most states.
In regards to your car, I was shocked that according to NADA the clean retail value is $4300. That's an insane figure, as the mileage is only a $700 deduction. However, unless the insurance company uses a "market search valuation" (this varies according to state laws), they will start at that $4300 number. Now any prior damage or reconditioning needed to put that car into "front line, dealer condition" will be deducted, but that's one HECK of a starting point! You could make out quite well on your car, as it is in now way worth $4300 in the real world.
Even with that inflated value, it's still probably not going to be repairable. Again, not because it can't be repaired, but the time to remove and replace the junk parts, plus straighten the rear body panel, trunk floor, and unirails, and paint everything is just going to add up too quickly. Plus they would also owe for a replacement vehicle while it's being repaired, and that car would be in a body shop for 1 week minimum, more likely 2 weeks. At $25/day, that another $250 or so dollars that can't be spent on repairs.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Got in a car accident

In my state it doesnt work that way. The sons car was totaled when hit by another at fault 100% driver. The insurance company for that driver gave him a few days free rental car and told him he would receive a check for the low ball value of his car and he wouldnt even get that until he signed off on it PERIOD. Even though he had expenses such as having his car towed, going to the doctor to be checked and lost time from work and school they wouldnt even DISCUSS paying him a dime more than just for his car. He had no lawyer and they knew it. As far as any pain or suffering thats a joke.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Got in a car accident

I'm in the same state that you are and that was not my experience. I was not even acounting for lost wages and the adjuster brought that up. I guess there is way too many variables. One thing I learned is not to be an arse with the adjuster unless he becomes the arse first.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Got in a car accident

It also depends on the insurance company. Some are known to be real hard ball jerks from the start. I once told a noted charlotte accident attorney "Mr Smith " It seems I need your help, This insurance company does not want to deal with me" He replied.."No they dont have to "deal" with you but THEY WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME" go figure

 

[j_martin]

Re: Got in a car accident

In regards to your car, I was shocked that according to NADA the clean retail value is $4300. That's an insane figure, as the mileage is only a $700 deduction.

My last $500 car cost me about $2000. It's a 93 Honda with visible rust, a pitted cracked windshield, and 220,000 miles on it. I had to pay about $750 for it, and catch up on 100,000 miles of scheduled maintenance and running gear maintenance. (timing belts, axles, brakes, etc.)

The market I usually tap for cars has been all screwed up for over a year, so I'm not shocked as you are. If the car in question has been well maintained, it's not going to be cheap to replace with a comparable one.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

Mr. Martin, comparing a $750 Honda to a Chevy Impala is apples to oranges. I appreciate that you aren't as shocked, but 10 year old, domestic brand cars with over 224,000 miles on them are NOT going to cost $4000. Never.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

...One thing I learned is not to be an arse with the adjuster unless he becomes the arse first.

Excellent point, Nandy, and I think it's very relevant in this discussion.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Got in a car accident

I just got done with the adjuster today.

Very nice gal.
We talked and was very nice.
She snapped pics and at 1st she was saying this already with the damage and age the car is questionable. She got into the car and hit the odometer and said, "yep, it's totaled"

I said aww man. I really like this car.
She told me that it's really not that bad of a car, but they have a standard they have to follow.

I began to tell her about the what we've done to the car this past winter and she told me to get the receipts and fax them over to her. Soon. then said we can give you some credit for any and all major repair work done to the car.
I asked if I could keep the car and what would happen to the title. She said the title would remain clean, Then said that she would give me figures on how much to total the car and how much the salvage the car.

Now we wait for the figures. Should hear something by Thursday.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

Yep, pretty standard procedure.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Got in a car accident

Got a call from the adjuster tonight.

Here's where we're at.

3675 is the value of the value of the car
-517 from previous damage
-190 miles
+ 250 for parts we put into the car in the last 6 months
Loss of: 3218.43
Salvage price 700

Total out the car we get 3218.43
Or
We keep the car and get 2518.43

We can't replace the car fro 3200 around here.
So we're thinking take the salvage price of 2518. I get the car. Take about 2100 and buy a car for the wife. I fix the car with a 5lb fine adjustment tool .

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

That is a SMOKIN' deal. I hope you ripped the check for $2518 out of the adjuster's hand!

BTW- Domine Chevy has an 01 with 155,000 miles that they are asking $4895 for. With cash in hand, you know you could get that car for under $4000. West College motors is advertising an 01 with that miles for $4495. Pretty close to the value of your car if it didn't have prior damage. Wonder what the private sellers in your area get for them?

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Got in a car accident

That is a SMOKIN' deal. I hope you ripped the check for $2518 out of the adjuster's hand!

BTW- Domine Chevy has an 01 with 155,000 miles that they are asking $4895 for. With cash in hand, you know you could get that car for under $4000. West College motors is advertising an 01 with that miles for $4495. Pretty close to the value of your car if it didn't have prior damage. Wonder what the private sellers in your area get for them?

I called the agent today to see if I could get more.. I know I could if I got a lawyer, but I dont want it to be tied up for months.
I mentioned kbb and nada retails the car for 4200. She told me they use there own values. But said it was close to kbb and nada. Plus said she cut me a break on the mileage of the car. Should have been more of a deduction. Then said with the parts I listed I replaced, said she cut me a break there as well. I listed a paper with prices from Napa because I lost the receipt. She gave me credit for that as well.

So I told her I want to keep the car. I should have the check Saturday or Monday.

I also asked her what the status of the title would be.. She said they wont even touch the title. It will remain clean and they wont report that to the state because nothing structural of the car was damaged.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Got in a car accident

Had a similar accident some years back. I used my turn signal to make a left turn, and another car followed me (without stopping first), I left my signal on to make the very next left. This guy figured I was going too slow and tried to pass just as I made my left turn. The cop asked the guy why he tried to pass, and he said " I thought he was one of thoes old men that leaves their signal on for miles". The cop said "so you ran into him because he's NOT an idiot "? His insurance company paid to have my car fixed, no questions asked.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Got in a car accident

...
It will remain clean and they wont report that to the state because nothing structural of the car was damaged.

That isn't exactly true, but the title requirements of your state will be followed to the letter I am sure.

For example, here in Illinois, if the car is 9 model years or older, and it's totalled, the title doesn't change, nothing is reported, no matter what is wrong with the car. I am suspecting that WI has similiar laws, by the sound of it.
If you were to ever sell that car, I am certain that you would need to disclose the damage to the buyer, though. I wouldn't try to slide by on that.

Re: a lawyer for the car, no you wouldn't get more. First, lawyers don't take property damage claims. The only money for them is in the bodily injury portion of the claim. Second, the lawyer would take 30% and there is no way they would increase that offer by 30%.

You made out pretty good. $2500 for a 10 year old 1/4 million mile car, with prior damage, you still get the car, and it's perfectly drivable, with NO repair.

Let all those who say Insurance companies cheat them see this claim and learn from it.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Got in a car accident

I called the agent today to see if I could get more.. I know I could if I got a lawyer, but I dont want it to be tied up for months.

It would not be tied up for months because no lawyer will take the case unless the lawyer is working "pro bono". There is no money on the property damage claim for them. In my opinion you are getting a good deal. If you can fix whatever is wrong with the car then go ahead and buy it. I think it is the smart thing to do. Don't just yet buy the car for the wife. Wait until your personal injury claim is settled, that is the one where you can get paid if you can prove to the insurance company the merits of your claim. At that time a lawyer might or not might be a good move but wait until you get there.