I'm not sure if this belongs here or in dollar den, but most likely here....but feel free to move it if need be.
Soo...yesterday morning on my way to work, I was driving on the freeway. Someone in front of me stopped all of a sudden (the traffic pace was about 40 mph, but there was traffic ahead that was slowed or stopped). I'm not sure what was up with the car in front of me, if he/she didn't see the traffic, as this was right before entering a tunnel, or wasn't paying attention, etc. Anyways, I saw him stop quickly, and I slammed on my breaks. Didn't hit the guy, and he continued on..
however,
Then I felt a crash behind me, and low and behold, I got rear-ended![]()
We were in the left lane, so I pulled over into the shoulder, and so did the guy who hit me. No one was hurt, so I called the police on my cell, said we didn't need an ambulance or anything...and the policeman came within like two minutes. He had us move to a safer spot on the right shoulder underneath the tunnel (and stopped three lanes of traffic to allow us to do so).
The back of my car, the bumper area and my trunk are dented in and crunched a bit. trunk doesn't open, and the left back lights are dislodged. the other guy's car had its hood crushed up. police guy ran our info, and then issued the other guy a citation for not allowing enough following distance, and he even said that his insurance would take care of my car. mine was drivable, so i went to work (just making it in time to teach my class). they had to wait for a towtruck, as theirs was not drivable.
i called up their insurance company, and they told me they were admitting liability, and that i could bring my car anywhere i wanted for repairs, but they had places on a list where they would direct-pay to the shop, and it would be quicker. they gave me a list of options in my area, and one is about 2 miles from my house. it also has a good reputation for body work, which mine needs, as my trunk is dislodged. they're also going to cover a car rental for when mine's in the shop. so far so good, i'm thinking, as i have about 40 bucks to my name right now. i get paid on friday, but most of that will finish paying for rent and other expenses that i HAVE to take care of.
i'm bringing the car into the body shop tomorrow to be inspected. if it's really drivable (i'm not sure if the back lights work), then they said i'd wait a week till they can take the car in. if it's not drivable, then i'll get the rental right away (luckily, the rental place is also in my town, so they'd bring the car to me, or bring it to the auto body shop when i drop mine off).
i went to see a friend of mine today, and she told me that my car might be declared "totaled" because she thinks the frame is damaged. my car is a '99, only 72K miles, and in good condition. thing is, i still owe about 4500 on it (i don't think i have gap insurance on my own policy since i purchased it used). another friend says they just need to replace the trunk and bumper....but i looked underneath and the gas tank looks dented.
so, car and accident gurus...is there anything i should be aware of so i don't get screwed in any way? so far, the other party's insurance company has been really nice and helpful. it's state farm. i've read some mixed consumer reviews online. the work from this body shop is guarenteed for a year, so i have that as a comfort.
however, i'm worried i might have to put down a deposit for the rental car (they said they'd directly bill the insurance company, but someone online, in one review, said something about a deposit). the company is enterprise. i have two small credit cards...less than 1 grand limit on both combined, and they are nearly maxed out. i can't use my paycheck to cover a deposit, since i need it to pay my bills. i suppose i should call the rental company and ask, but i'm nervous.
i guess it will all come down to what they autobody guy says tomorrow...i think he can assess the damage (at least roughly) when i bring the car to him. i have to drive it to work tomorrow, and have an appointment for the afternoon.
i've never had to deal with stuff like this before, hence my questions. the officer noted on the accident report that my injuries were "sore neck and shoulder," but i guess that's just to protect me if something should develop. i feel fine, actually, and mentioned this to the officer and the insurance company.
all i want is for my car to be returned to me in the condition it was before the accident: a nicely running used car with no body damage, and for all costs of the rental car to be covered. i don't want them to declare the thing totaled, if indeed there is damage to the frame, and then give me an amount lower than what i owe. i did check the kelly blue book, and it estimates about 4200 worth for a car in good condition for a private sale...so i'm not sure how the insurance company would figure the car's value. i SOOO do not want this to happen, as then i'd have to get a new car (not "new" but another low-milage used one), come up with a down-payment (which i can't afford right now...i make about 2 grand a month, and it covers my bills, but i don't have lots of extra money), and finance the bugger....my credit isn't great (i've paid off my previous car on time, and all my bills have been current for a couple of years, but i had charge-offs from 2002, and a couple of things i'm disputing). i've only had this car for about a year, and i love it. it runs great, but now i'm not sure, as who knows if there's any internal damage. i'm also worried about depreciated value, as now my car's been in an accident.
do i need to contact my insurance company? someone said i should...and i will...and am hoping my rates won't be raised. i have geico BTW. i do have collision coverage, as the title belongs to the leinholder. however, since the other guy was declared at fault, i won't be going through them for money or whatnot. plus i have a 500 deductable with them.
sorry for the long ramble....as i said before, i just want things to go smoothly, and not end up getting into a mess. the other people were so nice. the guy who hit me was a minister driving his wife to work. they were later-middle aged and very polite. they said they were happy i was ok, etc. i feel bad for them, as their car looked like shit. the minister even said, "i hope my car won't be totaled." they had to call a towtruck. i hope the ramifications aren't too bad for them....they were nice people.
anyways, the only weird thing was that when i called their insurance company, the man and his wife had already called. they had described my damage as scratches to the bumper...and when i told the insurance guy the extent of my damage he said, "hmm..yeah, i'm going to have to change this information." maybe they didn't see how my trunk was dislodged and dented in? who knows...it was very surreal.
i guess, in summary, is there anything i should be worried about? thanks in advance for any advice, and also thanks to anyone who read through this whole mess![]()
~BDD



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Ok I'll quit with the jokes....
the good news here is that you got rear-ended, if there's anywhere to get hit, the back of the car is the "best" place. The minister under-stated the damage on your car to leave the responsibility of a final assesment to the insurance adjuster.



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