15 thousand dollars and 3 months later...

I hope the insurance company fires their adjuster.

 

15k in repairs they should have totaled it out and given you a new one or whatever.

 

I would seriously push your insurance company to total it and get you another brand new Prius, or at least pay you the difference of the depreciated value so you can ditch it and buy another.

A crashed car is never as good as a car that hasn't been.

 

What cost so much?

 

Also, depending on the initial purchase price, you might be getting close to "salvage title" territory. I think it is when something like 70% to 80% of a car's value is spent on repair, and it probably varies between states.

If you do get stuck with a salvage title you should also be able to get more money from the insurance company, since the car is worth so much less with that type of title.

And, as always when dealing with an insurance company, good luck.

 

This is awful. If it just had 180 miles and had to spend half the value of the car for repairing, it should be totalled. Push to get a new car. Gosh! From the earlier post I saw that you have AAA? I have heard bad stories about them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YodaddyAlex @ Mar 16 2007, 10:32 PM) [snapback]407196[/snapback]</div>

Sell it and sue SUV lady for your out-of-pocket expenses (purchase price minus sale price plus rental expenses and insurance premium increase)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmann @ Mar 18 2007, 04:23 PM) [snapback]407995[/snapback]</div>

I believe your claim is with her insurance company. I would pursue a replacement with her insurance company and as jmann said sue her for your damages. If the car does not "drive like new" you should also complain to the body shop/mechanic. If they were paid to restore the car to its original condition and they haven't then they need to fix it. I'm not a lawyer but I believe you should "sue everyone in sight"--include the garage and the employees who worked on the car. Let the court decide who is ultimately responsible.

Good luck. It will take years.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Mar 18 2007, 10:08 PM) [snapback]408161[/snapback]</div>

Be careful. This will take years, But there are time limitations. In Ohio, it would be 2 years (maybe similar in CA).

As Jim said, your claim is with her insurance company because they represent her and pay for her liability. However, she is the one liable and so you get to sue her. Her insurance company just represents her (because they are the ones who end up paying out). I also am not an attorney and do not live in California, but a legitimate claim will most defiantly include your out-of-pocket expenses. Some states put a cap on noneconomic damages, but there should be no limit on economic damages. Also, if the suit is small enough (and I am doubtful it would be) you can sue in small claims court where SUV woman would not get an attorney.

 

I'd just dump it and take the loss myself. No way I or my family would ride in that car after that wreck again...

Sorry this has been such a PITA for you...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jmann @ Mar 18 2007, 11:26 PM) [snapback]408169[/snapback]</div>

I'm not an attorney either, but I think the insurance company's attorney could still represent her even in small claims court.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YodaddyAlex @ Mar 19 2007, 01:29 PM) [snapback]408418[/snapback]</div>

My car is in the shop now with the same kind of damage that you have. Accident was Feb 4 (27 YO girl ran a red) and car went into the body shop on the 17th. $13,000 damage was the last figure I heard. They say they will be done Mar 26.

I plan to go after diminished value compensation of about $3000-4000 or more. I may keep the car or sell it but it has to be perfect.

Good luck with your car Alex.

~buttster


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sub3marathonman @ Mar 20 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]408883[/snapback]</div>

Usually the cost of paying the claim would be less than an attorney would charge, so you don't find too many attorneys in small claims court.

~buttster

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sub3marathonman @ Mar 20 2007, 06:00 AM) [snapback]408883[/snapback]</div>

In California, parties in small claims actions are not permitted to be represented by attorneys unless the plaintiff or the defendant is a lawyer, in which case the opposing party is permitted to have a lawyer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Mar 20 2007, 04:06 PM) [snapback]409133[/snapback]</div>

I guess that's just another benefit of living in California.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YodaddyAlex @ Mar 20 2007, 10:56 PM) [snapback]409371[/snapback]</div>

I commend your noble attitude. I believe the good kharma you display will assist in correcting the alignment. Once the car drives like new it will be easier to forget about the unpleasantness.

I have a friend who was injured in a serious accident. It turned him into a paranoid bitter man. I hope that never happens to you. Good luck.