Got hit head on while waiting in turn lane, what can I expect?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your car will be totaled.

Even if the front isn’t crushed? They towed it bc it was not drivable but it doesn’t look that bad. Because it’s so big.
His car is completely crushed in the front. What can I do if they don’t “total” if? I definitely do but feel safe with my kids in this car after the accident.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you’re talking about. You need to talk with your insurance company ASAP and do everything they tell you. These days cars are expensive so do not accept the Kelley bluebook value. Make sure you are reimbursed a replacement value that actually reflects current market prices. And it was good advice to go to a doctor and get checked out. That sounds like nobody was seriously hurt, which is a great thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your car will be totaled.

Even if the front isn’t crushed? They towed it bc it was not drivable but it doesn’t look that bad. Because it’s so big.
His car is completely crushed in the front. What can I do if they don’t “total” if? I definitely do but feel safe with my kids in this car after the accident.

I would be surprised if it isn’t totaled. Car repairs are so expensive these days that it is VERY easy for a car to be considered totaled though I guess since the car itself is more expensive there is a little less likelihood but I was in an accident I was able to drive my car away from and they still totaled my car. By the time they added up replacing the bumper etc ut just adds up because they just replace everything now and the parts are more expensive

[Anonymous]

Pp here and that being said, I do feel like I still got the raw end of the deal even so. The accident was also clearly not my fault (I was also at a dead stop on a highway (traffic) and hit by a car who was hit by the car behind them, distracted driver. Anyway his insurance accepted fault pretty easily and they paid me a sum but it doesn’t really make up for it because you get a used car price and then you probably aren’t going to buy a car that same year, I still ended up spending money to get a decent car. Anyway it sucked and I still wish I hadn’t been forced to buy a new car when I didn’t need one because I didn’t end up making the best purchase.

So bottom line, probably will be totaled but yes you’ll still end up getting the short end of the stick. It’s just one of those life things and a risk we take when we get on the road. People make mistakes and it just is what it is

[Anonymous]

Yes, it’s just unfortunate because the car was paid off and it’s safe and in good mechanical condition.

Do you think they will give me anything close to the value on the market for it if it’s totaled. Similar cars are selling for around $25k because of how expensive cars are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s just unfortunate because the car was paid off and it’s safe and in good mechanical condition.

Do you think they will give me anything close to the value on the market for it if it’s totaled. Similar cars are selling for around $25k because of how expensive cars are.

Yes and you can also negotiate based on market value

[Anonymous]

Another vote for working through your insurance company and getting checked out by a doctor ASAP. Would also try to get a copy of the police write-up if you don’t have that already, ideally showing a ticket or fault for the other driver.

If the car isn’t totaled, make sure you demand of the other driver’s insurer 1) repair at an authorized and well recommended shop (they might try to get you to use some in-network junk), 2) a like rental car during repairs, and 3) compensation for the “diminished value” of your car. That last point is very important, and insurers pretty much never mention it. Even after repairs, your car will be worth less whenever you sell it because it’s had major damage. That’s potentially thousands of dollars. You can use online car buyers and talk to dealers to estimate the diminished value.

If the car is totaled, it’s important to document market value. As PPs have noted, the used car market remains overheated, so market value may be above KBB and similar values.

[Anonymous]

Cars are built to accordion to absorb the hit. So if it is put on a lift, that would likely be seen. Also no joke on the whiplash with side impact. Watch for neck pain at day 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for working through your insurance company and getting checked out by a doctor ASAP. Would also try to get a copy of the police write-up if you don’t have that already, ideally showing a ticket or fault for the other driver.

If the car isn’t totaled, make sure you demand of the other driver’s insurer 1) repair at an authorized and well recommended shop (they might try to get you to use some in-network junk), 2) a like rental car during repairs, and 3) compensation for the “diminished value” of your car. That last point is very important, and insurers pretty much never mention it. Even after repairs, your car will be worth less whenever you sell it because it’s had major damage. That’s potentially thousands of dollars. You can use online car buyers and talk to dealers to estimate the diminished value.

If the car is totaled, it’s important to document market value. As PPs have noted, the used car market remains overheated, so market value may be above KBB and similar values.

Thanks, that’s helpful. I’m still so annoyed because it’s paid off and I would have driven it a year or two.

[Anonymous]

I hope the insurance company totals the car for you OP and you get a fair price. Following an accident, not my fault, I have been waiting 9 months for parts and the dealer still doesn’t have a date when the repairs will be complete.

[Anonymous]

Agree to go see a doctor. I was surprised a few years back when I was not at fault in an accident and the other driver’s insurance paid for the total cost of my medical care (not just my out of pocket cost). It was explained to me that they pay for the full amount and any medical insurance I happen to carry is for my benefit and can’t be essentially subrogated for the at fault driver’s benefit. So getting the full amount of imaging, pain meds, PT, etc. comped helped to make up for my loss.

Also make sure you ask for lost wages. I had to take time off work to deal with the accident logistics and medical care. So they gave me equivalent of my daily salary for those days.

Keep track of any other miscellaneous expenses. Heck I’d ask for childcare costs to be covered if you have to hire a sitter to go car shopping. Any little thing, add it to the tab as at least a starting negotiating point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I need a drawing of this. I just can't picture it in my head.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I need a drawing of this. I just can't picture it in my head.

Same. I’ve read the post multiple times and cannot picture this.

She was T boned, not hit head on. He crashed into her passenger door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I need a drawing of this. I just can't picture it in my head.

Same. I’ve read the post multiple times and cannot picture this.

She was T boned, not hit head on. He crashed into her passenger door.

No I was hit in the front. Damage is to the entire front bumper, the worst of it being on the passenger side. He basically turned directly into my car, he wasn’t looking at all until he was in front and slammed on the brakes.

[Anonymous]

You are not 100 percent not at fault technically as if you were not there the accident would not have happened, you did not beep horn, did not try to move out of way.

But either way not at fault and insurance will pay and will get more than car worth.

I had a car totaled in June and got more than I paid for car five years earlier. Around 4k more!