Buick totaled now what?

[1948Lincoln]

Ok, so I was driving north on the street near my house, was making a legal left turn with a green arrow (no yield). then this car south bound runs the red light and hits the front end of my Buick at 55. Anyway, his car is a goner, and mine is probably going to be as well. He hit me with a Toyota truck and his engine and radiator were pushed back into the cab. my Buick on the other hand could be driven away, except that the wheel and the fender were pushing into the tire. So, I call the cops and they cant write a report unless people are bleeding and dying, nonetheless they were called. The guy, who hit me was driving a company car, and comes up to me apologizes and says it was fully his fault (he ran a red light). Anyway, had my car towed to a friends place, and so, it begins, I called my insurance company asap told them what happened and I am calling his tomorrow (mine has 24hr claims). Anyway, I pulled out the reciepts within the past few months, and am ready to get a full claim with the car and all the recent repairs, also, I am sore, on my back and neck. Anyway, what is next? I know what to do, but, do you have any advice?

[bofusmosby]

Sorry to hear of your accident. My wife had her car totaled by some idiot who turned right in front of her. That was about a year ago, and her back is still bothering her. You might want to have yourself checked out by a doctor. What appears to be something minor can turn out to be something serious later on.
As far as your car goes, it sounds like you have taken all the right steps, its just one of those things that you will now have to hurry up and wait. Since the other driver admitted complete fault in the accident, then the rest will probably be between you and HIS insurance company. You might want to locate a local appraiser, to have him give you the true value of your car (before the damage occured). This will give you a better leg to stand on, if the insurance company puts a "low ball" value on your car, just so they can total it out.

[1948Lincoln]

well, I would like to buy it back and get it fixed it is in perfect condition and still runs great, the hood both fenders, bumper and wheel is gone, but, no engine damage

[Dave@Moon]

well, I would like to buy it back and get it fixed it is in perfect condition and still runs great, the hood both fenders, bumper and wheel is gone, but, no engine damage

You can almost be certain that a hit that hard twisted the chassis if you were turning when hit. If all you do is fix the cosmetic damage you'll likely wind up with a car that can't be alligned, or worse is dangerously unstable in emergency situations. Unless you take it to a body shop and have the car checked on an alignment rack for unibody cars you're risking big problems. It may be cost prohibitive to do that, and very likely will be cost prohibitive to correct any misalignments that are found.

I'd suggest finding another one like it and saving everything you can from yours for parts, switching interiors, features, etc. Otherwise you may be spending a lot of money on something that isn't safe.

[1948Lincoln]

[1948Lincoln]

I have pics, how can I post them?

[lrlforfun]

OK Wes; What ever you do with your smashed car.......if you want to keep it ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY DEFINITELY DO NOT let the insurance company give you a SALVAGE TITLE. It's a hidden sore throat that many people overlook. Mitch

[1948Lincoln]

The problem is mine is a two door and besides the front half of the car they are completely different, the thing is it may or may not have this damage, I took it to a friend of mine, he said it can be done and done safely, but, he wanted to look over it some more, I hate to scrap it, it is a beautiful car inside and out runs excellent and I have over 2k in reciepts (which will probably be covered with the insurance plus the 2k I paid for the car). I am going to the doctor tomorrow as I have back and neck pain, the good thing is that this guy was driving a company car

[Dandy Dave]

I have been hit twice by Air Heads that ran though stop signs. Once in my 62 Ford F250, Another time while I was in a 1978 Chevy Nova. I had the right of way both times. The old Ford truck I did repair, and still use it from time to time to plow snow. This was a Hit and Run and I never collected any insurance on it. I just quietly took it home and repaired it. The Nova I drove back to a friends body shop and we pulled the fender out enough so the right rear wheel would not rub. His insurance only gave me $600 for repairs. I did not turn the title over to them. The Driver at fault was not tickted which pissed me off. Dandy Dave!

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Wes, it concerns me that the police did so little here. You were injured and are not sure of the extent of your injuries, probably more important than the car. Was the other driver ticketed?

At the risk of sounding like a "parent" I know you are a younger guy. I am going to guess you may not have experienced how "nice people" can change their stories, remember things differently, etc. after such an incident.

Document every detail you can remember - time, any witnesses, etc. and get a lawyer - just in case. That person can help you collect damages and if necessary, defend yourself when Mr. nice guy changes his tune. A good lawyer will only cost you big bucks if you need him, usually initial consultation should be free, and worth the time.

Worry about the car once you know you are getting compensated for any damages and do not need to worry about defending yourself in any way.

Did you happen to take pix of the scene? Good to do - I used to have a company car and they made us keep a disposable camera on board for this just in case, and I do it now with my own cars.

Hope this is just a minor annoyance for you.

Good luck with it.

[buick5563]

Sorry Wes.
Get to a chiropractor and get x-rayed. I've been hit from behind a whopping 10 times, once totalling my Ford Ranger. Unfortunately, your car is probably not worth (on paper) what it is worth to you. I know that my truck wasn't. I got $4k for it. I couldn't afford to buy a new one and ended up buying a replacement that wasn't as good, and that I never liked.
Your insurance company is going to go after the other driver, just make sure they know how much you expect. I am also shocked by the nonchalance of the cops. They were just lazy.
Good luck

[The Green Dragon]

Steve -Mack is right on, they always change their story and will try to blame you for the accident when they realize it might cost them something. Take pictures, have the other driver sign documentation and have everything in writing. Insurance companies really change their tune if they know you have an attourney and everything signed and documented.

[Reatta Man]

As for the car, let it go. You stand a very, very strong chance of chasing gremlins in virtually every component of the car, from the electrical system to the transmission to the A/C system over an impact that hard. There are other cars out there. If you buy it back, only do so to get the unique parts found on your model, and then scrap the rest. The salvage value of that car to buy it back from the insurance company shouldn't be more than $300-400.

As for you, see every doctor and specialist that is available and recommended. Keep all receipts and document any time lost at work. Have the insurance company reimburse you for every dime.

Good luck,
Joe

[rons49]

I,m sorry about your loss. See if you can get an appraisal from an independant registered collector car appraiser before any decision is made. Insurance companies make money by not paying on claims. Know what your car is worth. IN addition,criminal procedure laws vary from state to state. Dave, I'm a retired NY policeman. NY officers can not issue tickets for infractions, ie, traffic violations based on probable cause. They must witness the violation, however, on a accident report, they can give expert opinion on contributing factors.Other states give officers the leeway to cite the presumed violator ,if any, without actually seeing the violation. Some states police agencies are not issuing reports on property damage only, because the police(taxpayer funded) are becoming like claim adjusters for private companies. Best of luck, Lincoln, Follow up on the injury.Report it to your insurance co. Also consider collector car insurance with an agreed value.There are restrictions on vehicle use ,however.

[1948Lincoln]

it was on a regular policy

[1948Lincoln]

Ok, so I just got off of 3 hrs on the phone with my insurance and his, I was found not at fault on my end whatsoever. Im filing a police report in an hour or two and seeing a doctor after that. Due to my injuries, I can now file a report. I will update you guys later! And I am assembling all my reciepts and records for the Buick (2k+) as well as what I bought it for and my medical expenses. The guy did not file a claim (of course) but, I have verified his address, policy and information. If worse comes to worse, I'll get an attorney. Both insurances have taken all of the information including, damage, injuries, witness' car info, etc. and my statement. I have two local claims adjusters on my end and on his.

[DAVES89]

Wes I am going to have to agree with Dave Moon on this. I think you will find that the insurance company will total your car as your repair costs are too high.
For example in January 2010,a woman changed lanes to get into a fast food restaurant cutting me off. She was cited for inattentive driving. The damage to my car [1989 Buick Reatta] was hood, pop up headlight,center trim piece, both front cornering lights, surprising to me she missed the bumper. There was no structual damage or fender damage. Parts and labor $1900.00. My car was not totaled, however if you have frame damage plus anything more then what I listed you will be in the $4000.00 plus range, probably more then what your car is worth, I am sorry to say.
However you must do your homework to maximize your settlement. Get estimates. Go to Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market to find out what the parts cost. Go to sources other then NADA for your car value. When they settle ask for the value of sales tax to be added to the total as you will have to spend that on any car you choose.
Good luck

[Bob Call]

I don't know about Cali since I left there in 99, but, different jurisdictions have different requirements for an officer the make an on sceen investigation and reporting requirements differ from state to state. I know about Texas. I was recently in a accident in Houston. The HPD will not respond unless there is a personal injury. Texas state law requires an accident report only if there is personal injury or property damage in excess of $1,000.

Since your car was on a regular auto policy I think you are screwed on the car. The company will want to pay you the value based on something like the NADA values so anything over about 15 years old has a value of a couple of hundred. They can give a rip about what you paid for the car and what you have spent on repairs. That's why any old car should have a vintage car policy with an agreed value.

[LINC400]

I can tell you that you will not get back your $2K in receipts. I had my Mark V in for $1200 in repairs less than 24 hours before it was totaled, and I could not collect for it. And that was with an agreed value policy.

[1948Lincoln]

NADA Values mine at about 4k

[1948Lincoln]

Classic Car Value

[prof pat]

Linc, you just might be pleasently suprised. My shelby mustang was totaled, when someone backed into it at 45 miles an hour then drove off. My insurance company Hagerty, was called and they asked how fast I wanted an adjuster out. They stated they could get someone out in a week or so, who was qualified to look at the shelby. I said ok, well 5 days later a fellow called, stated that they had contracted with him to do an evaluation and he could come that weekend, well he ended up being the president of the shelby club of arizona. He did a complete evaluation, and came up with a price, it was totaled. But a VERY FAIR evaluation.
So....dont dispair yet. And dont turn over the title as they have said. Best wishes, Pat

[bhclark]

I got lucky on my '90 Reatta.
I paid $250 for it at auction. (no brakes, trans only had 2nd, starter going out).
School bus hit the front end gently. Estimate was $2250.
School bus co. self insured the incident and cut me a check.
I then sold the car for $750.
Wish I could do that every day!

Only downside is that since there was a police report made, it showed up over a year later as an at fault accident on my insurance since they had no record of the accident. It took quite a bit of work to clear that up and I'm not sure they truly erased all of the added premium.

[1948Lincoln]

I was found not at fault whatsoever....

[LINC400]

Linc, you just might be pleasently suprised. My shelby mustang was totaled, when someone backed into it at 45 miles an hour then drove off. My insurance company Hagerty, was called and they asked how fast I wanted an adjuster out. They stated they could get someone out in a week or so, who was qualified to look at the shelby. I said ok, well 5 days later a fellow called, stated that they had contracted with him to do an evaluation and he could come that weekend, well he ended up being the president of the shelby club of arizona. He did a complete evaluation, and came up with a price, it was totaled. But a VERY FAIR evaluation.
So....dont dispair yet. And dont turn over the title as they have said. Best wishes, Pat

My car was rear ended by an idiot with no insurance, 100% his fault. I have Hagerty, and they paid the full agreed value amount, but would not give a dime extra for the $1200 in repairs it had less than 24 hours prior. In fact, it was being driven home from the repair place when it was hit. I also put in $50 worth of premium less than 5 minutes before it was hit. The idiot that hit me was on welfare living in a section 8 apartment with his grandmother. I called lawyers, and they said you will never get any additional money from them. Bleeding a turnip. I kept the car, but had to pay $600 salvage value.