by "Baeromez" (Baeromez)
Published 08/13/2017 at 02:59
by "Baeromez" (Baeromez)
Published 08/13/2017 at 02:59
No Tags
STARS: 4
We hardly knew ye...
After three years without a vehicle , I lucked out and was able to buy my mom’s one-owner ‘09 Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD for a sweet deal . I’d been driving it for a couple of months now. It had ice-cold A/C and satellite radio. It was my new lease on freedom and opportunity.
Some guy just smashed his Chevy Colorado into it while it was parked in front of my house.
I had a stressful day at work. Our newest guy was training as a cook and right before the rush hit he just disappeared. The restaurant had one of its busiest nights all year and though we were able to pick up the slack, it was far from pleasant. I got off and drove home, tired and resolved to spend a relaxing night at home with a few cold ones.
It was about 11:30 when I heard the collision and went out front to investigate. Strange... my Jeep wasn’t parked where I’d left it. Even more strange was that my neighbors across the street seemed to have left a similar, though very badly wrecked Jeep sitting in their front yard. I started to mutter “What the hel- OH SHIT!” That wasn’t my neighbor’s weird wrecked Jeep. It was mine.
Only after I took a long, hard stare at the lump of twisted metal that had once been my new lease on freedom and opportunity did I realize that there was a wrecked truck stopped in the road just past my house, lights on and door ajar. The parking lights on the truck went out as it started to move forward. “Memorize that licence plate!” I yelled at my neighbor as I ran into the house to call 911. My first instinct at this hour and on this neighborhood street was that the driver may be drunk and could try to flee the scene. Not good.
He didn’t leave, and I was dialing as I approached the Colorado and checked on the driver. He was a younger guy and said he was okay, though he was bleeding from his upper lip a bit and had blood on his shirt. I asked him some questions to gauge his state of mind (drunk, concussed maybe?) and he seemed pretty much with it. He must have apologized a hundred times.
The cop that responded said he wasn’t drunk. His dad came out to pick him up and was very nice, apologetic, understanding; a good guy. His mom ended up driving him to the hospital to get checked out. I hope he’s all right. Our trucks aren’t.
I cried after everybody left.
"Tristan" (casselts)
08/13/2017 at 03:08, STARS: 3
Damn... If you don’t have full coverage, his liability coverage should at least take care of you. It’s never fun to deal with, but at least no one was seriously hurt.
Not drunk/high? Was there a fresh batch of text messages on his phone?
"sony1492" (sony1492)
08/13/2017 at 03:14, STARS: 0
That sucks, but at least you didn’t have to experience the accident. Glad the other guy was alright too. Would it be possible to fill in the gap left from being immobile with a $500 car till insurance gets around to paying you?
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
08/13/2017 at 03:48, STARS: 7
BLEED his insurer for every dime you can and, with luck, you’ll end up in something better. Think LandCruiser, or LR4 (with a bumper-to-bumper warranty). Just ... ugh. What a shitshow.
"Baeromez" (Baeromez)
08/13/2017 at 03:50, STARS: 1
I’m hoping to be driving a rental on their dime till I get paid.
"Baeromez" (Baeromez)
08/13/2017 at 04:01, STARS: 0
I wrecked my first car and had to deal with my own insurance trying to lowball me but I was able to increase their valuation with a little research into ebay, craigslist, and autotrader along with KBB.
I only have liability on the Jeep. It was in exceptional condition, but showing 120K on the ODO. It’s going to be hard to convince their insurance of it’s value.
Any ideas?
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
08/13/2017 at 04:25, STARS: 12
His insurance will be paying, because he hit you. Doesn’t matter that you only have liability. He’s the one liable.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
08/13/2017 at 05:07, STARS: 0
that sucks.
airbags deploy?
"Baeromez" (Baeromez)
08/13/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 0
His did.
"His Stigness" (HisStigness)
08/13/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 1
Do your research on similar condition Jeeps to get a better idea of the value, and if there are local ones I would go and look at them and actually document the condition with pictures and use that as ammo to take to the insurance tell them to up their valuation on your car.
And if that doesn’t work, tell them you’ll be happy to get a lawyer and drag it out for two years. Or, they could just settle for the appropriate amount. If the adjuster is smart, they will pay you what you want (within reason) because it is cheaper and easier than having a lawsuit.
But being reasonable is crucial. You must be able to tie the value, and the condition, to the current market. I’ve managed to settle two personal injury cases out of court because I knew what the claims were worth, and I wasn’t asking for any more than that.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
08/13/2017 at 21:48, STARS: 0
sucks.... at least the dude that hit you wasn’t a total @$$ or just ran...
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
08/14/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 0
They’ll likely still pay more than it’s worth to write it off. Just make a very strong case on how the car was maintained, detailed, pristine always etc, 120k km isn’t crazy high.
I’ve been in 3 accidents this year, written off two cars. I know it’s hell (I’m still dealing with 3 insurance companies, 2 lawyers, 1 doctor, 2 physios, 1 surgeon) but it will be worth it in the end.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
08/14/2017 at 10:00, STARS: 0
Sorry to hear that. I know exactly what it feels like .
"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana)
08/18/2017 at 09:44, STARS: 0
Steve can I search your backlog of podcasts/videos for when you discuss dealing with insurance companies? Looking to learn how to ensure that I can get a higher value for my vehicle if it ever gets wrecked.
I know that if someone ever hits or if I ever crash my Land Rover they will total it without even considering other options. So I would prefer to not get completely f-ed with a pittance of $2k for it.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
08/18/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 0
I think you’re looking for Lehto, not me.
"verdon" (verdon)
04/02/2018 at 21:02, STARS: 0
Good to hear at least the guy was not in critical condition. Hope you didn’t have a hard time dealing with the insurance.