So Sad, Too Bad... dreaded rear-ended

[710-oil-614]

Pain & suffering, don’t you watch Judge Judy

you got me….

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[Bad Samaritan]

What has been other peoples experience with that been?

December 2023. My Honda Element gets rear-ended on a highway, the driver behind tried to stop in his Mercury Mountaneer, but couldn't - hit me probably at 30 mph or so (I was stationary after a full stop in moderate traffic).

Same as yours - bumper facing 45 degrees down, and not much else (visibly). The body shop found "frame damage", the insurance totalled the car, paid me about 80% of its market value, and I am keeping it.

I went to another body shop - he laughed at the "frame damage", saying it was purely symbolical and didn't need any work. Replaced my bumper for $700, I am still driving it, will be trading for my upcoming Maverick in January. Of course I will disclose everything about the accident when I trade it in, I expect getting about half of its market value.

In the end, I will be getting more that its market value. - I estimate 140% (insurance payment + trade-in payout).

So, any chance they'll give me enough to buy a new 25?

Based on what I just said above, yes - if you do the same as I did.

 

[Jim Walker]

Insurance company would rather settle with you prior of getting an attorney, see what they offer and some reasonable for pain and hassle, they will be after you to settle asap , but make sure your fine and satisfied, if not, you will need a lawyer and the will want 1/3-1/2 of settlement

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Same as yours - bumper facing 45 degrees down, and not much else (visibly). The body shop found "frame damage", the insurance totalled the car, paid me about 80% of its market value, and I am keeping it.

Of course I will disclose everything about the accident when I trade it in, I expect getting about half of its market value.

In the end, I will be getting more that its market value. - I estimate 140% (insurance payment + trade-in payout).

Between the Police report that was probably filed, and the insurance reporting to CarFax, I doubt that you'll have to let them know about the accident/damage.

Did you end up with a salvage title?

HRG

 

[Bad Samaritan]

Between the Police report that was probably filed, and the insurance reporting to CarFax, I doubt that you'll have to let them know about the accident/damage.

I still will. Even if doesn't change anything.

Did you end up with a salvage title?

I don't know what happens when the ownership changes hands, maybe a salvage title will be issued. But I still have my original title.
How does one get a salvage title while keeping the vehicle?

 

[710-oil-614]

I still will. Even if doesn't change anything.



I don't know what happens when the ownership changes hands, maybe a salvage title will be issued. But I still have my original title.
How does one get a salvage title while keeping the vehicle?

If your insurance company deemed your vehicle a total loss and you bought it from them it is a salvaged title.

If you they did not total your vehicle but you opted not to have the repairs done but took their check - it is not totaled.

 

[bobbyd454]

You don’t know how this works guy.

Your insurance company isn’t fighting for you to get more than your vehicle fixed.

An attorney gets paid when you get paid. They’ll take a cut but it’ll be worth far more than just repairing the damage to the vehicle.

Here in Ky. no fault insurance is the law of the land. Not sure what it is in CT. or anywhere else, but my thinking is, no fault law prevents one from getting a lawyer and sueing. The insurance companies battle it out, and the loser is usually the owner, not the one that did the damage, until they get their next insurance bill that is. Best thing to do is ask a lawyer, not an insurance agent. Good luck. No matter, it all sucks when this happens.

 

[710-oil-614]

Here in Ky. no fault insurance is the law of the land. Not sure what it is in CT. or anywhere else, but my thinking is, no fault law prevents one from getting a lawyer and sueing. The insurance companies battle it out, and the loser is usually the owner, not the one that did the damage, until they get their next insurance bill that is. Best thing to do is ask a lawyer, not an insurance agent. Good luck. No matter, it all sucks when this happens.

You are only partially correct.

Kentucky is known as a choice no-fault state. Drivers have the ability to opt out of the no-fault system when selecting their insurance policy which preserves their right to sue the liable party in an accident.

Definitely important to know and understand the laws in your state.

 

[Toddman45]

Also Connecticut has Diminished Value so the person that hit your car if it's not totaled, you can also go after the other parties insurance for diminished value of your vehicle after the crash.

 

[B2000]

A friend used a guy who was sort of a private claims agent when he had a pretty minor wreck with his old Mazda. Even though it was his fault he got more than double what his insurance had offered him originally. He paid the guy a flat $500.

Somewhat OT I tore my meniscus years ago and filed a claim with the person's homeowner insurance. Once I felt like my knee was "okay" I settled without an attorney for $10,000. All good until recently when I started having pain in that knee. Doctor says it is likely calcification from the old damage. So I may end up having to replace that knee. Doctors don't always give you the whole story unless you do some reading and prod them on it.

 

[rJay]

This may or may not still reflect current markets/values, but see my post here about what I got for my XLT Hybrid that was destroyed a little over a year ago.

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I feel your pain!

 

[TwoTone]

Never accept the first offer. When a vehicle is totaled, they grade different aspects of it.
When we had a total loss, I argued some of those evaluations and provided proof that some of them were low and the offer came up considerably.

 

[bobbyd454]

You are only partially correct.

Kentucky is known as a choice no-fault state. Drivers have the ability to opt out of the no-fault system when selecting their insurance policy which preserves their right to sue the liable party in an accident.

Definitely important to know and understand the laws in your state.

Thank you for the correction, but not buying insurance in Ky. without no fault will cost you twice or more than original insurance. Like buying insurance with full replacement. It is a lot higher. Bottom line is, ask your attorney.

 

[Old Fart]

I've been talking with my engineer friend about using industrial strength urethane foam like the stuff they use to bond barrel tile to the roof to fill the box beam and stiffen it to where it won't go postal on us. He thought it was a good idea, I'm at 32K and haven't had any close calls but you neva know.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I've been talking with my engineer friend about using industrial strength urethane foam like the stuff they use to bond barrel tile to the roof to fill the box beam and stiffen it to where it won't go postal on us. He thought it was a good idea, I'm at 32K and haven't had any close calls but you neva know.

There is a reason, there are relief bends in the box frame.
A better idea would be a shock absorbing bumper guard that fits into the receiver hitch.

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