Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Accident = totaled truck

[slowneasy]

I was involved in an accident that totaled my truck. I was hit directly head-on, I was doing 40 mph and the other party was doing (guessing) 55+ mph. Truck took the full impact. :{:{:{

Question is should I retain "salvage value" of the truck or let it go? I don't ever see myself getting a similar style truck so what parts that would be usable won't do me any good and I really don't have the space to leave it set to be "parted" out. What would you guys do?



Thanks

 

[Simplysmn]

wELL FIRST OFF GLAD your ok as for the truck what does Ins company want for it ? go from there and see what happen's

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Man, that's quite an impact! Imagine if you were in a smaller vehicle! With that kind of impact I can't imagine it would be worth trying to fix. I'd probably take the salvage value and look for a like replacement. We have quite a few trucks listed in our classifieds.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Glad you made it. Let the truck go unless you get the same model truck.



Don't let the other persons insurance company low ball you if the money is to low for your truck tell them to put the exact same truck in your driveway.



I was hit in the rear many years ago they totaled the car ( Opel Cadet during the first gas shortage) the other person's insurance company gave a low settlement ( My Dad worked for an insurance company on the accident and heatlh side he called his counterpart on the liability side of the company He told my Dad what to say to the insurance company) The insurance company couldn't put the same year same make same mileage car in the driveway for what they offered us. They ended up paying us $800 more which was great considering the Opel had already been totaled once by Dad 's company he paid about $150 for it we put a used drivers door on it and pounded out the dents on the back fender and it was ready for the kids to use.

 

[slowneasy]

Thanks for the replies guys... kinda what I was figuring on was letting it go.



Here's something though. I've never been in a accident before so I don't know how the insurance companies work, but it's MY insurance company that is making the estimate value of the truck (which I've refused because of it being so low) not the other parties insurance. I'm at the area where I have to have an independent adjuster come out and appraise the truck for value since I've refused the two offers from my insurance. And as far as the two offers the insurance company made to me, one was just the truck totaled and the other was the truck and work body but neither offer changed the value of the truck. Other party was 100% at fault.



There's a lot to this whole accident thing that I don't understand and is confusing to me. Maybe I should looking into getting an attorney. :{



Thanks again.

 

[MLee]

We have attorneys here and if they don't get you money they don't take any for there services. Were you injured?

 

[24V-DSL]

You are not obligated to use YOUR insurance. With 100% liability, and if the coverage for the other party is in fact in effect, I'd let them make an attempt to settle. You can always go to your company, if needed. If you use your insurance, you'll likely be out your collision deductible, and then your company attempts to subrogate against the other company to get your deductible back as well as the $$ they paid on your behalf.



Especially if you were injured and have incurred medical expense and loss of wages, then you have this as leverage against the other company to settle. They do not like claims involving personal injury. Both companies will try to low ball the value of your truck. Do your homework and dig your heels in. Lawyer up, IMO, as a last resort.

 

[jkalchik]

Expect any insurance adjuster to come up with a lowball offer at first. It's their job to pay out as little as they can.

As the other party is 100% at fault, you're entitled to be made whole. Others have already said "put the same truck back in my driveway," and that's pretty much what it means.

Personally, I'll *NEVER* deal with somebody else's insurance company again, after Allstate pulled some serious crap on me 10 years ago. I got my Jeep Cherokee fixed and back before Allstate would have even had their adjuster look at it.