Car accident advice - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

zero2 · 07-18-2007, 06:53 PM

Recently, my sister was in an accident, where a SUV backed up into her car. Since the accident, she's really taken a turn for the worse, often crying or lashing out at anyone trying to help her.

So here's the situation:
- The SUV caused damage to the: left taillight, leftside of the bumper, left side of the trunk.
- An insurance adjuster decided that it would be better off to write-it-off, as the damages exceeded the cost of the car.

What the problem is:
- The car is her very first car, and it has some sentimental value to her.
- My sister doesn't want a salvage on her title, because someday she wants to sell it, and its hard to sell a salvaged car.
- The way the insurance adjuster came to the decision to write-it-off is a little fishy. Some of the damages, that he/she noted were not a result of the SUV backing up into my sisters car. I mean its ridiculous, he lists the back right door, windows, window trim, car emblems, license plate lights, and many more stuff. The insurance adjuster said there was nearly $3400 of damage.
- Whereas, my sister got an estimate from a body shop and w/out insurance involvement, it would cost approxiamately $1000 which includes:
- Replace bumper
- Replace tailight
- Replace trunk
- Straighten frame

What she's done so far:
- She tried to settle with the SUV driver, and for a moment it seemed like she would cooperate, when she asked for a estimate, but she never called my sister back.
- She tried getting the another adjuster to look at it, but they aren't budging.
- She even pleaded with the SUV driver, to dismiss the accident claim, and tried to get her to settle, asking only $600, but it was too late.

So what are her options? I really don't know any of the technical stuff, but everyone is telling her to take the insurance money and buy a new car. Or if she still wants her car, buy it back from the insurance company, and get it repaired. But the thing is she feels cheated, it's a good car, and she's still driving it to work, she doesn't feel like it should have a salvage on the title. So what can she do at this point?

tooth · 07-19-2007, 05:46 AM

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Just speaking from my own experience, and the experiences of friends.

She is NOT obligated in any way to accept what the other person's insurance company is trying to offer her. But, if she wants to do anything other than letting the insurance co. have their way, she is most likely going to need a lawyer.

That being said, if the frame needs straightened, she's better off taking the cash and buying something else.

thingstodo · 07-19-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooth

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Just speaking from my own experience, and the experiences of friends.

She is NOT obligated in any way to accept what the other person's insurance company is trying to offer her. But, if she wants to do anything other than letting the insurance co. have their way, she is most likely going to need a lawyer.

That being said, if the frame needs straightened, she's better off taking the cash and buying something else.

Yeah, really. I mean, it's just a car. That certainly isn't something to get all bothered about. Of course, I don't understand the sentimental thing, but the car will wear out one day so that won't really matter.

Take the money, junk the car and move on! Or sue.

07-18-2007, 06:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
zero2 Junkie	Car accident advice Recently, my sister was in an accident, where a SUV backed up into her car. Since the accident, she's really taken a turn for the worse, often crying or lashing out at anyone trying to help her. So here's the situation: - The SUV caused damage to the: left taillight, leftside of the bumper, left side of the trunk. - An insurance adjuster decided that it would be better off to write-it-off, as the damages exceeded the cost of the car. What the problem is: - The car is her very first car, and it has some sentimental value to her. - My sister doesn't want a salvage on her title, because someday she wants to sell it, and its hard to sell a salvaged car. - The way the insurance adjuster came to the decision to write-it-off is a little fishy. Some of the damages, that he/she noted were not a result of the SUV backing up into my sisters car. I mean its ridiculous, he lists the back right door, windows, window trim, car emblems, license plate lights, and many more stuff. The insurance adjuster said there was nearly $3400 of damage. - Whereas, my sister got an estimate from a body shop and w/out insurance involvement, it would cost approxiamately $1000 which includes: - Replace bumper - Replace tailight - Replace trunk - Straighten frame What she's done so far: - She tried to settle with the SUV driver, and for a moment it seemed like she would cooperate, when she asked for a estimate, but she never called my sister back. - She tried getting the another adjuster to look at it, but they aren't budging. - She even pleaded with the SUV driver, to dismiss the accident claim, and tried to get her to settle, asking only $600, but it was too late. So what are her options? I really don't know any of the technical stuff, but everyone is telling her to take the insurance money and buy a new car. Or if she still wants her car, buy it back from the insurance company, and get it repaired. But the thing is she feels cheated, it's a good car, and she's still driving it to work, she doesn't feel like it should have a salvage on the title. So what can she do at this point?

07-19-2007, 05:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
tooth Addict	Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Just speaking from my own experience, and the experiences of friends. She is NOT obligated in any way to accept what the other person's insurance company is trying to offer her. But, if she wants to do anything other than letting the insurance co. have their way, she is most likely going to need a lawyer. That being said, if the frame needs straightened, she's better off taking the cash and buying something else.