I got hit. Have some questions.

[Convict1997]

I was pulling into the mall parking lot when I hear that familiar *CRUNCH*. Looking in my mirror I see some chic who jumped the curb and was halfway in the median trying to pass me on the left. She hit me on the rear drivers side and tore up the side of the truck. She then pulled over in front of me stopped and jumped out of the car. Apparently, she forgot to put it in park and her car then rolled back into my truck. Turns out she was charged with DUI, careless driving, and driving without a liscense. Thankfully, she did have insurance. Now, I'd like to get some opinions on what you guys think will happen when the insurance gets a hold of this. The truck is a 98 Sport 4x4. NADA is $5100. The quote I got from Hilbish Ford was $3750. Do you guys think this will be considered a total loss? If so, would you buy it back and get it repaired? The truck is in great shape and only has 77k miles. I bought it last December for $4800.

 

[Cozmik]

Crappy deal bro!! That sucks!! Glad you weren't hurt.

Have you looked at bodyshops other than the dealer for quotes? It would suck having such a low miler written off.

 

[m4dc0w]

I know I saw one exactly like that with similar damage, and the INS company wrote it off, the wrecker wanted $900 for it complete. Was so tempted to get it.

I just know any damage to the rear quater will be $$$ to fix.

 

[Dylansav]

Cases like this really really make you hate dumbass drivers who decide to get behind the wheel drunk (without a damn license??)..I feel for you though.

I agree with what was said- check other body shops and see what they charge, I know that Ford charges a ton when it's not under warranty.

 

[Donner]

If you want your truck, demand that it be repaired and returned to you in the same condition it was before the accident - insist that there will be no total write off. This is one of those cases, if a DUI is involved, that $$$$ comes from the party that struck you.

If the vehicle has safety issues as a result of the crash, then you don't want it back. Speaking of back, isn't yours hurting by now?

 

[Dylansav]

TRUE. If you love your truck and want to keep it without it being written off- GET a lawyer.

She is 100% at fault on this one. There is now way in hell she should have ever been drinking and driving. If the accident hurt you in any way, tell them. You did not do a damn thing wrong and you shouldnt lose your truck because of an idiot. She didn't even have her license though! She has no case.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

ouch glad ur ok

 

[bisjoe]

I agree with all of the above comments, especially if you really like yours, but with that kind of damage it may never be the same again.

Something else comes to mind. Before making a decision see what's available out there. Use SUV prices have dropped below what they were since you bought yours. If they total it and give you $4-5k for it, you might get something newer with same or lower miles for the money. A quick check of autotrader in your area shows a 2003 XLT 4x4 with 78,845 miles for $5,500, a 2001 sport 4x4 with 71,900 miles for $4,995 and a 2003 sport 4x4 with 62,598 miles for $4,990. These are all asking prices, at a dealer you are probably going to get it for less.

 

[sport97]

yeah. look to see what you can get. i got my 97 sport, loaded, 4.0sohc with 50k on it a few months back for 3500. see whats out there. might find one you like better than yours. but i feel your pain, i wouldn't wanna loose my ex.

 

[BIGB81]

Crappy deal man! I own a bodyshop in GA. What I would do is get on craigslist or some classified add, Find a leget bodyman that works from home(side work), Get a quote from him and then just get a check from your insurance company and pay him with that. Chances are you can actually put a little in your pocket. The only downside is you will most likely have to buy the parts up front. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Cobraguy]

If they total it, and you buy it back, it will almost certainly come with a salvage title and your value will be nil after that.

By the way, her insurance company isn't your only recourse. She is also civilly liable. And with a DUI, this could get real expensive for her if you pursue it.

 

[Convict1997]

Well, her insurance company called me today and stated that the policy had been cancelled and that they were not covered. They are waiting to hear back from the owner of the vehicle to determine if he is covered under another policy. It's looking like I may need to contact a lawyer.

 

[Donner]

You do... Did the company provide you with a policy cancellation date? Was it for the driver or for the vehicle?

 

[stang 1989]

They will probly write it off but i would talk to the insurance company and work out a way to buy it back and take less cash then fix it myself or find someone to fix it for what you get from the insurance co.

 

[Dylansav]

Well, her insurance company called me today and stated that the policy had been cancelled and that they were not covered. They are waiting to hear back from the owner of the vehicle to determine if he is covered under another policy. It's looking like I may need to contact a lawyer.

She's in deep deep...crap.

I would get a lawyer and start scaring the crap out of her. See if you can get a settlement outside of court and I would start looking at the 2009 ex's...

There is a HUGE MORAL here. If you don't have a license, don't have insurance, drive drunk, get cought, get a DUI, and back into somebody and total their truck, YOU WILL PAY.

 

[alohamonte]

The whole point of insurance is to keep these small fender-bender issues out of court. If she has money, she'll settle and you'll get a check hopefully within 90 days. If she doesn't, you'll go to court, win a judgment that you'll never be able to collect on. Either way, you need to hire a professional and you'll likely be stuck with a big dent and a big attorney fee.

You might want to go through your insurance... do you have under/uninsured motorist coverage? it's required in my state.

 

[Convict1997]

That's the thing. I'm reluctant to get a lawyer involved because I don't get the idea that the owner of the vehicle was exactly loaded. I think that, even if I take her to court, I'll never get anything out of her. Half of nothing is still nothing. The policy was cancelled on 10/2. I have opened a claim with my insurance as well but we have to wait on her insurance company to determine that there is no other policy and then send a letter denying coverage. Then my uninsured motorist coverage will kick in. My insurance company will then take the other driver to court to recoup their loss. I'm pretty sure they have better lawyers than anyone I'd end up with. Now I'm just getting pissed off because it seems like this should be so simple. A few phone calls should be all that's needed to determine whether these people have insurance or not. I'd do it myself, but no one will talk to me. My insurance agent stated that she's seen it go two to three months before an uninsured case gets settled.

 

[bisjoe]

I had a similar situation on an Aerostar about 14 years ago (less damage though) and my insurance paid for a rental car from day 1, but there was a wait of a few weeks before they would OK the work to be done.

The delay is because they have to be sure there was no other insurance on the vehicle before they can use that part of your policy, even though the driver was cited for no insurance, as well as no registration and no seat belt on.

On my uninsured motorist coverage there is no deductible, hopefully yours is the same.

 

[Convict1997]

Well, I got it settled with my insurance company today. They cut me a check for $3k under my uninsured motorists coverage. Now I have to decide what to do. Fix it, apply for depriciation and keep it? Sell it as is. Fix it, apply for depriciation, then sell it? Decisions, decisions.

 

[Donner]

Fix what you don't like, and don't look back! What's the estimate for repairs?