Here is a picture of his car.

Damn, that is a really nice looking car. I really hope they get it back into shape.

This is what I know so far.

I called my insurance company to report it at 4AM. They took the information. My insurance person called me back at 8:30 this morning. She told me she will request a police report but it might take a couple of weeks and that I should try on Tuesday or Weds. I could probably get one faster than she could. I am not covered on my policy unless it's an uninsured motorist. She said she will contact his insurance company for me once she has a copy of the report and will help me get this through as quickly as possible. I am going to let her do it on her end, but I am going to keep on top of them on my end also.

I talked to the guys wife who was working the overnight shift last night when it all happened. They are insured. She felt so bad and kept apologizing. I told her it wasn't her fault and that I wasn't mad. People do stupid #%&*$# sometimes and he did something stupid. There is no point in my getting mad about it.

I bought the car 3 years ago for 3k. It's a 97 T-Bird and still has less than 100k miles on it. Engine runs perfect and I just put new brakes and tires on it about a month ago. My fear is that they will total it and just send me a check for less than 1k. I have enjoyed having a reliable car with no car payments. If I get screwed in this deal, I will get mad then and take it out on the insurance company. It's a wait and see thing for me now. Luckily I live three miles from work, so getting back and forth will be inconvenient, but not a real hardship. I feel as though I am taking it pretty well at this point. My poor baby though.

They are holding the dumbass for 250k in bond and his wife said he doesn't remember any of it. She talked to him for a couple of minutes on the phone this morning. He is supposed to go in front of a magistrate this morning. (I think that is what she called it). She said she doesn't have the 25k to get him out so he won't be getting out any time soon. They just bought thier house and moved in, in November.

This is the first weekend in a while that I didn't have to do anything and I was planning on it being a relaxing gaming weekend. Guess that went out the window.

My son is pissed though. He got his learners permit on Thursday and wanted to learn to drive in my car and not his mom's SUV wannabe.

I guess that's it for now and all I can think of.

Couple of quick hitters (sorry)

First, your insurance company is dead wrong about uninsured motorist. That is for bodily injuries sustained in a car accident when the other responsible party has no liability coverage. This is a property damage accident, collision. Period. If you have collision coverage under your policy you're covered. Period. Subject to deductible.

Second, ouch. I hate to say it, but that car is totalled. I said 8 to 10 K in damage, it might be less, but more than 3K for sure. The way it works is they do an appraisal of the vehicle, probably a combination of book price and local dealer surveys. Average it out, add taxes and there's your offer. Typically there's salvage (value of what's left of the car) to consider. They'll either take the car and pay you the appraisal, or offer you the appraisal less the salvage and you can keep the car. I don't think you want it though.

Third, rental car. You said you talked with the wife and that they had insurance. That's good! Do you have a insurance company, agent, policy number? If not, call her back. Hell with this 3 miles to work deal. You had a working auto, and now you don't. That scumbag, and hence, his insurance company, owes you for a rental car.

I don't think, in the end, you're going to be pleased with the offer you get on the car, whether it's from his (unknown) insurance company or yours. It's tough to replace something like that. I wasn't real pleased when our Infinity got totalled a couple years ago, but I did my homework, and the insurance company was fair in dealing with me.

You have to take some of the emotionalism out and just deal facts and figures.

Good luck, questions just ask.

All the best with it.

From my own experience, when my Dad's Ford Econoline suffered an ignition fire and and was totaled, the insurance company offered just 1K as payoff. When he questioned, it was because the title was listed as a cargo van. While it was a cargo van from the factory, it was actually a luxury custom conversion when it reached market.

He had to argue pretty hard, even send photos of the interior (which didn't burn, just the underhood) as proof it wasn't a cargo shell.

Most likely. All they're liable to do is return the car to the same "financial condition" as it was before the wreck, which generally means they total it and give you the BB value. It sucks, I had something similar happen with a CHERRY '85 Chevy truck (spent all its life in Texas till I took it to New England in 99.)

As I understand it (and 20mm you're the expert here on such matters) the insurance company needs to compensate you for the book value of the car (usually based on www.kbb.com ) less your deductible. I looked up the vehicle based on a Baltimore, MD zip code and the purchase value is around $3000.

Not frigging fair.

I'm not one for litigation but maybe an attorney will chime in and offer two-cents on the possibility of some P&S suit. No clue if there is a leg to stand on but might be worth checking in.



I have a real sore spot with this topic. Had a friend who was the perfect family guy, kids, hard worker. Until the day a drunk woman t-boned his car and he is now and will always be a vegetable.

It is disturbing, how much a foolish choice can impact somebody else's life.

Not to beat this horse, but if it helps, and I hope it does:

You can get your own appraisal of the vehicle value. Do a book survey, via internet. Call several dealers in your area and tell them you're looking for a vehicle like this, with this many miles in this condition, with these upgrades. Get a number and ask the salesmen's name. Average the numbers out and add tax. Give you something to square with what you're being offered.

Hopefully, all things being equal which they never are, you should be able to take the insurance check and go buy a like kind/quality vehicle.

And, for what's it's worth, don't waste your time on an attorney. No injuries involved, they will not be interested unless you pay them something or are a close friend. Handel it yourself, you can do it.

You'll be lucky to get the "dealer auction" value of the car. The price of the car when sold at dealer auctions. That's usually the dollar value you get from insurance companies on older cars.