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Was T-boned last Sunday

DPHMINDPHMIN Member Posts: 953 ✭✭✭
edited May 2017 in General Discussion
This past Sunday we were in the Ft. Worth Texas area heading down a divided 4 lane Blvd. While going through an intersection, a woman made a left turn from the other direction and crashed into our van. One of my sons suffered a broken jaw, and our van was totaled. The woman's insurance wouldn't pay for a rental car for us.

Now they are offering $23XX.XX. This is for our 2001 Ford Windstar with 113,000 miles on it. This seems to be a low amount. What suggestions would you have?

Thanks in advance,
Dave
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Comments

  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    Work with your insurance co. to find a good attorney.

    P.s. sorry about the accident. Sounds awful. I hope everyone recovers fully and that you get good resolution on your vehicle too.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • Tech141Tech141 Member Posts: 3,787 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes - That is a lowball offer. You would be surprised how many folks fall for it.

    1st - NEVER deal with the offending drivers insurance company yourself. That's why you pay YOUR insurance company.

    2nd - Consult a personal Injury Lawyer NOW.


    Third - NEVER accept the first offer. It's ALWAYS the lowest, basement dweller amount.

    You are sitting in the Cat-Bird seat on this. DON'T ever settle without consulting legal advice from either your Ins company or a lawyer.
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  • fordsixfordsix Member Posts: 8,554 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    did you have full coverage??
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  • DPHMINDPHMIN Member Posts: 953 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I only had liability insurance - not full coverage. It's the other party's insurance that is offering me a settlement.

    I called both my insurance company and the other party's insurance. My insurance agent has been keeping in touch. So has the agent from the other party's insurance.

    I had just purchased this van 6 days prior to the accident, and transferred the Title one week ago today. I won't be able to collect until I receive the new title. This will take another couple of weeks. I just want to know what my options are before I agree to a settlement.
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  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    call a lawyer asap and stop talking to them right now, they are only gathering every word you say to use against you , even the ones you deem harmless and just cooperative
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  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,695 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kelly Blue Book says a 2001 Ford Windstar SE Passenger minivan with standard equipment, 113,000 miles and in good condition would get $ 1,950.00 in a private party sale.

    Depending upon condition and options, yours may be worth more or less.

    Go to KBB online and you can find values in your area.

    At first glance, provided this is for the vehicle only, it doesn't seem like a ridiculously low offer.

    One option would be to take the bill of sale to other guys insurance agent and let him know that you would expect that amount.

    I am assuming that you paid more than what is being offered, or it would not have been brought up.

    Or, you can pay a lawyer to get every last penny and then give him 30%+ and hope you eventually net the initial offer.

    One thing to also consider is that the sooner you settle, the sooner you have cash in your pocket. If you are going to use the settlement to replace the vehicle, it will save you money to settle sooner than later.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    $2300 for a totaled ride and a broken jaw?

    Ger yourself a Jewish ambulance chaser and quit talked to the insurance guy without your lawyer.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,527 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get an Attorney.
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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get all in the van a good checkout by a Doctor, injuries can appear later, less than a week since this occurred tells you nothing. [;)]

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lawyer up and get a rental on the other guys dime. You need to be made WHOLE in property and from injury with MONEY!

    The other guys insurance is trying to screw you and will become a lot more accommodating to your needs when your lawyer calls them.
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  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,695 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The medical issues need to be handled separately, and you cannot sign off on anything there for a long time. In addition to the jaw, soft tissue injuries are real and can take a while to show up.

    In the OP, you stated the $ 2,3XX.XX was for the vehicle only. Is this more or less than what you paid for it a week ago? If it is equal to or greater than what you paid, take it, and take it now.

    No insurance company will pay you more for a vehicle than what you paid. (Nor should they.)
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
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  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by forgemonkey
    quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
    The medical issues need to be handled separately, and you cannot sign off on anything there for a long time. In addition to the jaw, soft tissue injuries are real and can take a while to show up.

    In the OP, you stated the $ 2,3XX.XX was for the vehicle only. Is this more or less than what you paid for it a week ago? If it is equal to or greater than what you paid, take it, and take it now.

    No insurance company will pay you more for a vehicle than what you paid. (Nor should they.)




    Don, I agree with all but the last statement,,,,,,,,,the ins. co. responsibility is to 'put' you back as you were regardless of what you paid for the vehicle.

    If you paid more than what the vehicle is worth to replace you're 'upside down' and that's not the ins. co. fault. A reverse example, if the price paid for the above vehicle was $500(a good deal [:o)]) and the ins. co. offers $23xx.xx I don't think anybody is going to return $1800.00 to the ins. co. [:D],,,,,i.e. That sword cuts two ways,,,,,,

    Depending on the state mandated 'medical' coverage for all policies is where the relief will be found,,,,,,,,you are most correct there.

    The BI portion of the at fault drivers policy will come into play should there be long term consequences from injuries.

    To contact a lawyer at this point is ridiculous ,,,,,,,,


    What forg said, with one exception. I'd go get a consultation from a lawyer just in case you have to retain one for the injuries. Now I'm not saying hire a lawyer right off the bat. Just get a consultation so that you're one step ahead of the game if you do need to go through lawyer for the injuries
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  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,840 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get a lawyer, and NEGOTIATE THEIR FEE! You don't *have* to pay 30%! I've had several major accidents, and have never paid over 24%, and they've done a stellar job every time!

    Merc
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  • mag00mag00 Member Posts: 4,719 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Heal well, heal fast. let the big dogs fight for you, they are skilled.

    nada has it for 3400
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,637 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry to hear about your son's injury. You have had good advice here. Don't say anything more to the perp's insurance company and get a lawyer. If there was no injuries you could just sit tight and wait for another offer. I have a retired friend that was an adjuster for 30 years and he told me long ago that insurance companies don't want outstanding cases on their desk and will make you better offers. With an injury you will get thousands more even after giving the lawyer his cut. But first and foremost shut-up! Don't even answer a call from the insurance company or if you do just refer them you your lawyer. If they continue, there is a name for this: harassment. Your lawyer would love to hear that. Let us know how you do and hope the boy mends quickly.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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