Totaled the Texas Red Rocket, HELP

[MDW]

Hi guys, bad news, had a guy try to make one of those left lane to off the freeway ramp at the last second deals right in front of me and I pile drove him in the rear.

Of course the cop ticketed ME for failure to control speed, saying that I hit him in the rear enough said, wouldn't listen to my account of it, period.

So, do we have any insurance experts who can help me get the best deal from the insurance? And to answer some questions like should I take all the after market stuff off before they get there hands on it? Injectors, clutch, etc...

Also can you guys keep an eye out for a good deal for a 96'-98. 5' 12Valve for me, thanks for your help in my time of need.

P. S. Man I'm sore, that airbag packs a PUNCH, WOW.



Will try to post pics as soon as I can.

 

[Okie-Go]

Sorry to hear the bad news on the truck. I am glad that YOU are ok. I will keep my eyes open for you.

 

[Archive]

Sorry to hear that news... but glad you are ok, other than being sore.



I would take all of the aftermarket stuff off, I doubt the insurance will give you a penny more for having it on. Use it on your next Ram, or sell it in the classifieds.

 

[MDW]

Thanks Rob



Okie: Was wondering if you could help me out and move my fifth wheel if it needs moved before I get a replacement truck?

 

[JConley]

I would go to court and fight the ticket. It is bad enough that you totaled the ram, let alone be held responsible in the eyes of the law for doing it.



So what was the other guy driving? Did you have a Grill Guard?

 

[sdalton]

MDW, Where did this happen? When?? And what was the officers name? If it was in Houston, let me know a. s. a. p.

 

[MDW]

SDalton: sent you a private message.

How do you e-mail on this thing now??



Jconley: No grill guard and a Chevy.

 

[Big John]

MDW, sorry to hear about the truck. Good to know that you will live to rattle again! I will keep my eye's open for a truck.



I have two trucks that have hitches in them if you need to move your trailer. Just let me know and I or my son can move it on fairly short notice. I just live in Alvin.



Good luck on the hunt for a new truck.



Big John

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by MDW

Okie: Was wondering if you could help me out and move my fifth wheel if it needs moved before I get a replacement truck?

If Okie's not available, I'll be glad to help. Just let me know.



Rusty

 

[KatDiesel]

Give more details on the truck your looking for. Options and price range.



I'll find one.

 

[MDW]

There's not a better bunch of guys on the planet

Yall are bringing a tear to my eyes(maybe its just the pain) oh well THANKS to ALL of you.



Kat: 96-98. 5 12 valve

x-tra cab

std

3:54 rear gear

Red

Long bed

2X4



Optional equipment

600hp just kidding

 

[swamp rat]

Sorry to hear about the crash but I'm glad you didn't get hurt seriously other than the Racetrack Rheumatism.



Explain to your insruance company what happened and go to court with the ticket to plead your case. Get pictures of the scene if possible showing any and all skid marks. Draw up a good poster size diagram of the roadway and exit ramp with all vehicles designated. You might even have reasonable cause to file suit against the other driver. If he sues you, countersue him. You might even get lucky and have the insurance company sick a few of their attorneys of the other guy, but I wouldn't hold my breath.



Next thing I would do is to have them tow the truck to my home if you have enough room and your neighbors wouldn't get too offended or there are any zoning regs to prevent it. Barring that, I would GO IMMEDIATELY to where the vehicle is being stored to take pictures of anything that isn't permanently welded to the truck. This is just in case some bozo does to you what happened to me, remove parts with or without permission.



Gather up every receipt you have on anything you have had done to the truck, even if it is only Preventative maintenance. Contact your insurance company to discuss what they will and will not reimburse you for in regards to extraneous equipment which they will undoubtedly claim adds no intrensic value to the resale of the vehicle had it not been wrecked ie: aftermarket tires & wheels, bumpers, lift kits, and BOMBING upgrades to the engine. Winches, repair work, such as a new transmission or other large ticket repair items and the like do add such value, but you will have to argue that point vehemently.





Either get a hard copy of NADA book, or check online for the NADA resale value of the truck. Start with the most expensive price in the book for your truck. The insurance company will try to Lowball you with the cheapest price they can. Make them give you retail not wholesale NADA value or find you a comparable truck with identical equipment depending on the options.



When settling make them itemize EACH AND EVERY single aftermarket item for which their settlement covers so you can remove all the other goodies for which they refuse to reimburse you. If they refuse, tell them you intend to strip the truck of everything possible. If they still refuse, argue that the property is yours to do with what you will unless they reimburse you in full. Thats why you need the receipts, to prove that the property belongs to you. Call the police if need be and have them meet you at the holding yard as you remove your rightful property with receipts in hand and the Title to the truck.



Thats about all I can think of for you to do offhand. I hope you make out at least as good as I did just before I got my Ram. I had an 11YO Toy 4Runner w/145k miles that I got $7000 for and I got my truck back. The winch, brush guard, Barometric Altimeter, and Level Gauge on the dash was stolen at the impound yard for which I had to separately sue the impound yard owner to recover the cost of those items, another $1200 for a TTL of $8200 for a well used truck that can still run with the aid of a cutting torch and two new wheels and tires.



Good luck and Kick some Insurance hiney for me!



Swampy

 

[KatDiesel]

Are you dead set on 2 wheel drive? Or ya want a "Real" truck



Seriously..... only 2 wheel drive? Do you want solid red or a combination of colors possibly?

 

[Scott Gray]

Don't know where you are in Houston, but I'm on the north side (Woodlands). Let me know if I can help with the trailer.



Best of luck with the insurance folks & your search for the new Rocket!!!!

 

[MDW]

Yea, Kat 2wd. I can't handle a REAL truck like yours.



Thanks for all your help.

 

[Papa Joe]

Been there, done that. Ouch. I'm glad you are OK.

My insurance offered me PENNIES on the dollar for accessories. My suggestion is to strip it of anything you can. They let me take everything 'add-on', but would not let me in the engine to swap injectors. So I lost on that issue.

The notion of keeping the truck at your house to do what YOU want is worth considering, but other TDRs have more expertise than me.

BTW, the only thing (the truck was toast) salvagable on my truck was the engine. A specialty company paid $6200 for the truck and, so I'm told, my old Cummins is pumping water somewhere in Africa.

Heal fast, Joe

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

That sucks

I'm sorry to hear about you and your truck, I Know how you feel Don't let the insurance Co. Bully you!!

remember you pay for insurance to protect you and your truck!! Sue them, Sue them ALL!!

good luck

Adam

 

[MDW]

Heres what I know so far, the old guy turns out to be 74.

He's claiming that I changed lanes into his lane and hit him.

I saw him drive his truck (bent in half) away from the scene, and now he's claiming personal injury.

MAN if 1 person had stopped as an eyewitness this guy would be paying for my truck but not one person stopped and there were a lot of people on that road. What the he$$ is wrong with people today.

I had to swerve to keep from getting hit by a van after I collided with the old guy, where the He$$ is THAT guy



Thanks for all your prayers and help, as I said before you guys are the best.



Next thing is to see how bad I'm going to get reamed by my own insurance company.



Whats a fair offer for my truck????????????



Sdalton: Did you get my private message?? If not you can call me at 281-960-3497 thanks Michael

 

[gitchesum]

let's see is I can beat Wayne to it

Here's the pics of the aftermath:

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[Sled Puller]

I would NOT mention Horsepower mods to the insuassnce company. They will think you are a hot rod, and at fault.



Run an ad in the local paper asking for witnesses.



OLD GUYS ARE STUBBORN!



He'll swear till the day he dies it was you that caused the problem. He was high on Viagra heading home and prolly could not see anyway.



Spend the cash and fight, pay me now or pay me later, know what I mean?



Really sorry about the truck



Gene



(I'll give you $100 for the 370!)