hey guys I starting up this thread because I need input/advice/opinions/comments. I was making a left at a protect green light and some stupid lady runs her red light and hits me on my passenger door causing damage all the way up to my front cornerlamp. From what is looks like there is no frame damage but the front axel looks broken. The insurance guy should be looking at my car tomorrow to determine the damage.
Okay, so what should I do and should I worry.
I am worrying right now because I don't want them to total my car, I absolutely love it to death, especially with all the work I have done to it. Also, if they total it the insurance is probably going to give me crap because our cars don't have value. The problem here is that I bought my car brand new right when they came out and paid cash for it. That is the problem right there because if they only give me like 2-5 grand for the car what happens to all the money that I have spent? Also, I have mods that I don't have receipts for on my car?

Hopefully something positive comes out of this. If dont' respond within two days is because I have a hard time getting access to internet because I am not home. I am stranded up north for right now (stupid lady). But, please keep everything coming. I really don't want to get screwed here.

One last important thing, the cops gave the lady a ticket for running a red light because I had witnesses.

 

just hope the lady that ran the stop sign has insurance....if the damages are worth more then what the car is worth then they will total it out....they are not going to add value to the car b/c u have mods on it....they are going to value the car if it was completly stock

 

So if the car is only worth like 5 grand and I paid for it all for like 16-17 k because I paid for it all already. I would simply lose out on how much I paid for the car.
There is no way I can get the rest of the money?

 

If they total it, take the cash they give you and buy it as salvage from them. That way you get to keep your mods, car and get a little cash on top of that.

 

if I don't buy it back from them they keep all my mods?

 

I believe so. But my sis's car got rear ended and the whole trunk was bent, the left back door couldn't open, and the frame was a little bent but the insurance didn't total it cuz it took about 9k to fix it and the car was still worth more than that. Oh btw hers is just an '03 ES with arouind 25k miles on it.

 

Whether or not they keep your mods probably depends on your insurance company. When I wrecked my first Lancer, I asked to wait on doing anything for a week. When my insurance company asked why, and I told them I wanted to remove all my aftermarket parts. They said as long as the car had all the OEM or better parts on it they didn't have a problem with that. I even ran out of time and just left the stock exhaust in the back seat. They never said anything about it when they came to pick the car up. I even have a lot of the parts from my first Lancer on my current one.

 

so basically, financially I am screwed.

 

just talk to the claim rep .....but if u paid 16 k for the car they are not going to give u 16 k for the car...they are going to give u the value of the cars worth...car depreciate as soon as u take it off the lot...every car is the same way some cars just depreciate faster then others...if the car is worth 5 k then u would only get 5 k minus ur deductable if it is ur fault or it is not ur fault then u would get the 5 k from the the other insurance company

 

Yeah, sorry to be the one to say it

 

Dang it! That sucks big time. I know that cars depreciate and all that stuff but I thought this would be held to a different criteria. It is not like I was trying to sell the car (in that case I wouldnt' mind getting the 5k). But, in my case I didn't want to sell the car, nor get into an accident especially when a stupid lady runs a red light and wacks me. I guess, they still treat it the same way, huh? ARH!

 

You have the right to remove your mods from the car. As said above, as long as the stock stuff is put back (or thrown into the trunk).

For future reference, if anyone gets in an accident, make sure to get a ambulance, and take a ride to the hospital and get checked out. This gives you leverage, as the insurance company will be more willing to play ball if they fear a future lawsuit from you. In most cases you will get more, in return for signing a paper saying you will not seek anymore damages. Of course this only works when 1) It is the other persons fault 2) The other person has insurance.

 

Philithy IX does it work if your criteria are met but, I went to the hospital the following day?

 

Yes, as most back and kneck injuries come on slow, and are virtually undetetable. The key is to let the other insurance company know your situation. Do not pose it as "if you do not give me what I want for my injuries, time off work, medical, and what I want for my car then I will ...." Let them know you are concerned about your health, as well as express your concerns for your car. Play it smooth, and if at all possible do not rush into anything. Tell them you need time to discuss the situation with your doc, and attorney just to make sure.

I'm not saying doing this will get you thousands, but if played right, certainly more than if you just "settle" assumeing the car is a total.

side note: if the other person was issued a ticket where you have to appear make sure you attend, don't blow it off.

 

thanks for all your input. Anything else that would make this process a lot less stressful?