Buick totaled now what?

[MarkV]

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?

[Guest 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.

[MarkV]

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.

[MarkV]

[MarkV]

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

[MarkV]

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

[Richard Lichtfel]

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.

[MarkV]

it was on a regular policy

[MarkV]

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

[Guest 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.

[MarkV]

NADA Values mine at about 4k

[MarkV]

Classic Car Value

[Guest 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.

[MarkV]

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.

[Guest Rhop]

Wow I'm sorry this happened and amazed the car's condition after the accident.

Sorry i don't know how to post pics, never have tried.

It's sort of funny how cars are built these days I understand you may have gotten hurt and he didn't, but if you car took that kind of a hit sustaining possibly only body damage that's impressive. It's funny how easy it is total cars these days.

[bhclark]

It's sort of funny how cars are built these days I understand you may have gotten hurt and he didn't, but if you car took that kind of a hit sustaining possibly only body damage that's impressive. It's funny how easy it is total cars these days.

When I was 16, I lost control of my '65 wildcat and (from behind) T-boned the side of an '89 Ford thunderbird turbo sport coupe at probably 50 mph. I knocked that car 30+ feet off the road and it was totaled. My car stayed on the road and my fender was dented. That was the only damage. Even the bumper was okay. amazing.

New cars just don't measure up to the sheer volume and quality of steel in the older cars.

[Dave@Moon]

New cars just don't measure up to the sheer volume and quality of steel in the older cars.

That's deliberate. Cars are today designed intentionally to collapse and absorb energy in a collision. By absorbing the energy less is transferred to the passengers. The more the car deforms, the less you do.

[Big Beat]

I've always had a problem with this concept of "crumple zones". Sure, it's great for a modern car to crumple up and absorb the energy in a major, life-threatening collision. It's very impressive when staged slamming into a wall with crash-test dummies. But unfortunately, they also seem to crumple up like a tin can even in case of relatively minor impact. On a late model car, often enough it's a total loss for what was previously just a fender-bender. For the vast majority of real-world accident scenarios, all things being equal, I'd prefer to take my chances behind the wheel of my big old solid steel, body-on-frame Chevy.

48,

I hope it all works out for you.

[Reatta Man]

Big Beat,

The insurance company numbers, including numbers of deaths, serious injuries, types of cars inwhich people were hurt, and much more, bear out the crumple zone design of new cars.

I know there are a lot of stories out there of Car A vs. Car B, and Car A wins on size (I have had some of those accidents myself) but the newer cars always win unless you are in an extreme example ('60 Ford Galaxie vs. 2010 mini car).

[MarkV]

or an 89 buick vs a mid 90's toyota. So, I found a four door lesabre 1991 in good condition, going to look at it tomorrow!

[Guest Rhop]

Oh yeah I just remembered this. On a steam car tour back in 2005 one of my friend's stanleys was rear ended by some idiot talking on his cellphone at a stop light. The mercedes was badly damaged, but the steamer came out with a bent exhaust pipe and some scratched paint. Of course that was because the mercedes went up the suspension, no bumper, but it's amazing the steamer took no damage at all. The steamer made it back to the hotel later in the day and went out again the next day.

[bhclark]

I too would prefer a '60s bumper to an air bag.

[LINC400]

Big Beat,

The insurance company numbers, including numbers of deaths, serious injuries, types of cars inwhich people were hurt, and much more, bear out the crumple zone design of new cars.

I know there are a lot of stories out there of Car A vs. Car B, and Car A wins on size (I have had some of those accidents myself) but the newer cars always win unless you are in an extreme example ('60 Ford Galaxie vs. 2010 mini car).

It depends on what car A and car B are. I'd rather be in a 1976 Fleetwood than a new econobox with bags, crumple zones, etc. in an accident. However, I'd rather be in a new econobox than a 1976 Chevette or 1930's Ford.

[john2dameron]

Had a guy in a large GMC pickup back into my Chrysler T&C on a parking lot. I think he was trying to back straight up out of a parking space instead of turning to the left before going forward. Anyhow, he got out and apoligized profusely, then told my insurance adjuster it was my fault. She would not go after him. Wanted to charge me my deductable and then no doubt my premiums would take a hike. Why she would not pursue him I don't know. He put his back bumper into my wheel well and stopped me dead and swore it was not his fault. I got no help from him or my insurance company. I feel ripped off big time. City cops would not get involved.

[Dave@Moon]

Had a guy in a large GMC pickup back into my Chrysler T&C on a parking lot. I think he was trying to back straight up out of a parking space instead of turning to the left before going forward. Anyhow, he got out and apoligized profusely, then told my insurance adjuster it was my fault. She would not go after him. Wanted to charge me my deductable and then no doubt my premiums would take a hike. Why she would not pursue him I don't know. He put his back bumper into my wheel well and stopped me dead and swore it was not his fault. I got no help from him or my insurance company. I feel ripped off big time. City cops would not get involved.

Change insurance companies. Don't look back.:mad:

In PA in 1996 was hit backing up in a parking lot by a guy who was speeding, running a stop sign, and admitted to the police (who did take a report) that he wasn't looking where he was going. Under PA law, since I was in reverse, I was automatically at fault. The cop did all he could, declaring 50% fault in the report.

There is almost no way to be found at fault when hit by someone who is backing up. The laws are written that way on purpose. I'd suggest finding the citation in your state's code for lawful reversing and faxing it to your agent!

As for police depts. that don't write reports because they don't have time, that's bull!:mad: My son was rear ended 2 weeks ago in one of the worst crime rate communities in the Cincinnati area. It took 30 minutes for the cop to get there, winded from a foot pursuit on the previous call. He wrote the report that minute.

My son's check for the damages is stuck to fridge right now. All of $500. (It's wasn't even the biggest wreck in that township going on at that moment!)

Edited April 14, 2010 by Dave@Moon
added "faxing" sentence (see edit history)

[LINC400]

As for police depts. that don't write reports because they don't have time, that's bull!:mad: My son was rear ended 2 weeks ago in one of the worst crime rate communities in the Cincinnati area. It took 30 minutes for the cop to get there, winded from a foot pursuit on the previous call. He wrote the report that minute.

In many of the Chicago suburbs in inclement weather, if there are no fatalities, serious injuries, and the cars can be driven away from the accident scene, the police won't even come out to the scene of the accident. If you call the police, they tell you to come in to the station to fill out a report. Some refuse to even come out on sunny 80 degree days. Yet I passed 5 cops sitting doing nothing with radar guns sticking out the window on the way to work this morning. One even looked like he was asleep.

[bhclark]

Dave,

Glad to hear the Cincinnati Cops did their job. I was always pleased with them when I lived in the city limits. (Bond Hill).

Hope your son is okay.

[MarkV]

So, the guy as thought has denied what he did and has now attempted to put a claim against my policy! Unbelievable! And he hired an attorney after I hired mine. Isnt it crazy that this guy ran a red light, hit me and is now trying to put an injury claim against my policy! Doesnt anyone take responsibility for their actions anymore?

[Guest bofusmosby]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of sorry people out there. Here's a bit of advice. Any time you get into an accident, tell the Police that you are injured. I know that here in Tampa, that is the only way that a police officer will come and investigate the accident. This way, the Officer will write a ticket for the person who is at fault, and even if you have just a stiff neck, it will be documented on paper by an Officer of the law. If the pain goes away, then thats a good thing. Better to be safe than sorry. The same thing happened to my wife last year. Its a good thing my wife told them she was injured, because she is now having all kinds of problems with her back.