A
Art Murray
If safety is an issue then please take notice. A few days ago I was
rear-ended by a hit and run driver while stopping for a traffic light. The
impact thrust my car forward into a stopped vehicle in front of me. My
airbags immediately deployed with the metal lid of the airbag compartment on
the passenger side striking and shattering the windshield. The driver's
airbag exploaded hitting me in the chest. Fortunately I suffered only
scratches and a bruised thumb although who knows is later if more serious
injuries develop. Still, right now I feel fine. When I emerged to look at
the damage believing that the whole rear end would be in shambles, I was
surprised to find very little sheet metal disturbed (caved-in panals on both
left and right side just beyond the rear doors, both symmetrical). There
was evidence that the rear bumper had been hit hard (mechanic estimated
40mph). They estimated the car had been totaled because the frame absorbed
the hit. Underneath they said it was bowed and that trunk, doors, roof had
been noticeably damaged (although to me it was barely noticeable.
Mechanically, the car showed no ill effects and seemed to drive o.k. after I
left the scene. The car that I ran into suffered no apparent damage so the
owner also left the scene. Meanwhile, the car that hit me was nowhere in
sight. I'm now about to settle with the insurance company who will probably
offer me anywhere from $6000 (low book) to $9000 (high book). The car was
purchased in Sweden, had 69000 miles, and was in excellend like new
condition. In negotiating settlement, I hope to get $9000 but realistically
insurance companies are out to offer much less. If they offer to give me
back the car for it's salvage value (I'm guessing around $500), should I
take it and try to get it repaired myself cheaper? Or, should I just forget
it and take the $7000 or $8000 (guessing) and try to find another car. This
car was like new! Comment welcome...
ART
rear-ended by a hit and run driver while stopping for a traffic light. The
impact thrust my car forward into a stopped vehicle in front of me. My
airbags immediately deployed with the metal lid of the airbag compartment on
the passenger side striking and shattering the windshield. The driver's
airbag exploaded hitting me in the chest. Fortunately I suffered only
scratches and a bruised thumb although who knows is later if more serious
injuries develop. Still, right now I feel fine. When I emerged to look at
the damage believing that the whole rear end would be in shambles, I was
surprised to find very little sheet metal disturbed (caved-in panals on both
left and right side just beyond the rear doors, both symmetrical). There
was evidence that the rear bumper had been hit hard (mechanic estimated
40mph). They estimated the car had been totaled because the frame absorbed
the hit. Underneath they said it was bowed and that trunk, doors, roof had
been noticeably damaged (although to me it was barely noticeable.
Mechanically, the car showed no ill effects and seemed to drive o.k. after I
left the scene. The car that I ran into suffered no apparent damage so the
owner also left the scene. Meanwhile, the car that hit me was nowhere in
sight. I'm now about to settle with the insurance company who will probably
offer me anywhere from $6000 (low book) to $9000 (high book). The car was
purchased in Sweden, had 69000 miles, and was in excellend like new
condition. In negotiating settlement, I hope to get $9000 but realistically
insurance companies are out to offer much less. If they offer to give me
back the car for it's salvage value (I'm guessing around $500), should I
take it and try to get it repaired myself cheaper? Or, should I just forget
it and take the $7000 or $8000 (guessing) and try to find another car. This
car was like new! Comment welcome...
ART