So I was sitting at a red light in Austin on Guadalupe St. and then WHAM I get slammed. I won't comment on the gender or ethnicity of the driver who hit me, but it is the stereotype people associate with the worst type of driver. Anyway, luckily there was a motorcycle cop parked 20 feet ahead of me and he handled everything. The other driver had Amica insurance and today they call me and say they are probably going to total my car. I have a 2009 Black Ford Mustang, Premium Package with about 55000 in miles. I see these going for about 15-17K on Cars.com. Mine had 2 wrecks that were taken care of but it ran fine. One option I am thinking of is buying the car back from them and sending it to a cheaper shop to get it fixed up. My uncle runs his own shop. During the time of the accident, my adrenaline must have been high because I felt fine. But afterwards I started getting back pain and the next day I have had neck pain also. I have been tossing and turning during my sleep the past couple days. The accident happened on Thursday. I know last time I got hit by someone they gave me 400 dollars even though I was feeling no pain and I told them that. This time since I am in pain and my car is totaled I want to get as much as I can from the insurance company. Any advice or tips on how to get the most money from the insurance company on the total check and for my neck pain? I am a senior at UT and I was planning on buying a new car in the next year or 2 once I start my job full-time this summer.
If you buy back a salvage title (your car after its been declared totaled) you will no longer be allowed to put full coverage on it. There are also some other implications that go along with it being a salvage but I can't remember.
I've been through 4 totaled cars - what kind of damage are we talking here? If it's frame damage, then no way I buy it back from insurance. Frame damage can be fixed but it's just not worth it in the end. If it's just a fender bender and air bags popped out, then I might. If insurance is going to total it out and they give you retail pricing for the car, take the money, buy a cheaper car, and invest the rest of the money. As for injuries, I would definitely claim insurance for that as well. You don't know how it will affect you in the long run. Back pain and neck pain should not be taken lightly.
You can have full coverage on a salvaged title car. Two of my four cars were salvaged title and had no problems with full coverage. I guess it might depend on your insurance company?
Just get an attorney to handle everything for you so you're not worrying about keeping up with everything. They'll also usually direct you to a doctor and physical therapist.
The bumper and trunk are pretty caved in. They said the frame is bent also which is why they are totaling it. I guess the salvage idea isn't smart.
If you are in pain. Go to the Hospital. They'll have to cover it. I went, doctors did a bunch of x-rays and an MRI on my neck. I was in an accident where my truck was rear ended too.
rear end damage is a no no - much harder to fix than front end damage. Let them total it out and get another beater car that will hold you over if you plan on getting a new one in the next 2 years.
Dont sue just to sue. You got in a wreck, it's normal to be sore after. If you think something is actually wrong, go to a doctor. I don't think there's really a way to get the 'most' from your insurance, there isn't much you can say to make them give you more money. See what they'll give you, and if you're really unhappy, get a lawyer.
I'll second that a bent frame is a deal breaker. I bought my totaled car back and repaired it. The car was never right after that. Another suggestion is that blue book value is not your replacement cost since it does not include taxes, title and license. Ask the insurance company to cover those costs as well.
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I've totaled out 4 cars and insurance gave me close to retail value on all of them. Honestly, I wouldn't settle for anything less considering the car is still relatively new.
yeah you can also tell them to cover any partial cost for things you recently got like tires or brakes.
If you have whiplash, you should see a chiropractor. Let them do an assessment and take x-rays to determine if this is any damage. I was in an accident a while back and the other insurance company paid my medical bills. If you have PIP [personal injury protection] on your own policy, you can submit your medical bills to your own PIP and effectively get double compensated for your injuries. This is what an attorney would do.
