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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:00pm PT
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Neither of us were hurt at all.
I'm totally not at fault. However, I just inspected my truck and I'm now concerned they might actually total the vehicle. It's shortened on the driver side.
The old gentleman has USAA and they have already told me they accept responsibility. however....
It was about $16K. $1.2K I put down. the rest was a loan that is 15 months paid off on 5 years.
If it does get totalled I'm wondering what I'm looking at in terms of compensation. I've put $1000 tires on it a week ago. Added air shock supports, a trailer hitch, and a stereo to ipod component. Does that stuff get taken into account when they kelley blue book it or whatever to figure out how much I get compensated?
Should I be talking about his stuff in public? I'll delete this ASAP if this isn't a good idea.
I was traveling at the speed limit when the man sort of rolled a stop sign and I hit him. I have two witnesses that both saw it clearly. He made the move. Both witnesses stated to me "This was not your fault".
USAA is sending someone out - will call me to schedule tuesday. But I'm thinking I want to have someone look at it before they do. I want to be sure I ask the right questions and don't say anything I shouldn't.
just trying to gather knowledge and cover my bases. So who has had a vehicle totaled (or not) that might offer advice?
BTW, he was an old man who served in WWII. his wife said he was a vet. The last thing I said to him as I shook his and and look him square in the eyes was, "Thank you for serving".
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
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You just stated that "I hit him"
I'd delete this faster than a rabbit gets... Well, you get the point.
edit;
Often times an insurance company will say "no prob" at first, then change thier opinion later. The person that rear ends the other is typically at fault no matter what, at least in Cali
edit edit:
I thought you described hitting the guy from behind. nevermind.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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OK, so you wanna be a good guy.
BOHICA
Insurance companies make lots of money.
Guess how.
As for the old guy; great that he served. Deserves respect, but that doesn't mean there isn't a time to stop driving.
Glad you are OK (this wasn't on a date was it?)
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:08pm PT
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I'm on record with USAA of stating I hit him. He blew a stop sign while I was traveling on road that was moving traffic with no stop lights/signs. of course I hit him. It's recorded by USAA already. that part isn't the problem. I was traveling at the speed limit perfectly legal. I'm not removing this post because of that statement. two witnesses and a cop already know I hit him. that's what happens when you blow a stop sign.
no, not on a date. And the dude had just gotten out of the hospital. they probably could have done toxicology tests on him and it wouldn't look good for him.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Could have been worse.
You could have gotten four in the head and one in the ass.
He wasn't wearing plaid was he?
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:10pm PT
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bwaahahahaha!
I didn't ask what he did in WWII. probably a sniper? in pajamas.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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And he is not one of the poopers, right?
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:13pm PT
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edit;
Often times an insurance company will say "no prob" at first, then change thier opinion later. The person that rear ends the other is typically at fault no matter what, at least in Cali
This isn't a rear ender.
He had a stop sign on a perpindicular road to the one I was traveling on. he was following his wife. She moved through the intersection and he just followed. He rolled the stop sign w/o looking. I was moving at the speed limit through said intersection that has no traffic lights/signs for me. Man... if dude doesn't roll the sign and stops and then moves I t-bone him and really bad things happen. He as a half a second away from getting hit in the drivers side door.
he's not a pooper so far as I could tell.
dammit people!
who's had a vehicle totalled by an insurance company? :)
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cintune
climber
Midvale School for the Gifted
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I did the same thing a few years back and got a call from the other guy's insurer. They claimed that I "could" have stopped sooner and not hit him, which was ridiculous, and the whole thing went into "conflict resolution" or some such until ultimately they agreed to pay up for the damages. My agent told me it's best to not talk to the other company at all, you're under no obligation to do so, just politely tell them to take it up with your agent. That's what they get paid for.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Why Cragman? Wanna know if he has pajamas like yours?
The geezer that fractured my spine ran a stop sign and I T boned him.
Totally his fault.
Did you get some cell phone video of his condition? (Leverage when you deal)
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:17pm PT
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thank you skip.
you're not exactly correct though.
I called my insurance company immediatetly. they told me to call his. Again - USAA - one of the best around (thank Shiva!).
The took my statement. They called him. He verified the scenario. They called me back and stated they will take responsibility. All within like... an hour. I was shocked in a great way!
That said, ok on the receipts, etc. That's what I'm wondering about.
Here's the other question. IF the vehicle is totaled let's say, if I wanted to buy it back... anyone with experience on that?
calling Joto now!
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Doug -
What you might find is that his insurance company will NOT factor in your after market add-ons to any "total" value.
I can tell you with certainty that the 1K in tires won't matter for squat since KBB assumes that you have some on any vehicle.
Depending on the Adjuster, you can often arrange to "recover" the add-on pieces - lift kits, specialty hitches and the like. Otherwise plan on calling YOUR insurance company - better yet, go to a live local agent - and tell them about add-ons and upgrades you had on the truck so they can fight for their monetary value with USAA.
As for the old dude being a Vet - that's cool and your reply was noble.
But pulling the "I'm a vet" card is for old white guys what "cop tears" is to a teenage girl when stopped for speeding.
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:19pm PT
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Was a police report taken?
It's f*#king Tucson. Without injury they don't do police reports.
they noted we exchanged information on record and that is all.
BS in my opinion
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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As someone who has recently been fuked over by lawyers---GET A LAWYER!!! Make sure all your expenses are covered. Insurance companies are scared shitless over geting sued and the resulting publicity. Maybe you hate lawyers as much as I do, but in our society they are sometimes a "necessary evil."
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:22pm PT
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He didn't pull the "vet card" for sympathy or anything. It was just a random, end of conversation/incident thing that came out.
They were genuine people. and I, as a yogi and also genuine, tried to make the best of it.
But I also did the best I could to CYA.
Maybe I should have told the cops he was just out of the hospital and likely on drugs that he shouldn't be driving on. Hate to think that.....
Anyone with experience on either side of USAA? I've heard they are the best around. Opinions?
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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If it means a salvage title for your vehicle, I would NOT accept that. You lose a lot of resell value with a salvage title.
If they wont pay you for your new tires, then take them off and put crap ones on from the junk yard. Then put the new tires on the new truck. Do the same with the other add ons. Check with your agent to see if that is legal, but I think it is.
Hopefully they will pay for the add ons. In which case they own them.
In one accident I was in, years ago, they wouldn't cover my new stereo. So I took it out and put the factory one back in. I didn't bother wiring it. I just put it in.
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Edit: Please let me know how things work today, once you find out. I haven't had an accident in over 15 years.
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:32pm PT
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If they wont pay you for your new tires, then take them off and put crap ones on from the junk yard. Then put the new tires on the new truck. Do the same with the other add ons. Check with your agent to see if that is legal, but I think it is.
that's sorta what I'm looking for.
First thing Tuesday morning I'm taking it to Dan's Toy shop to get their opinion. They are the best toyota mechanics in Tucson.
Thanks skip, thanks John... everyone. I'm keeping a positive vibe on all of this. It's just not what I want to be thinking about.
All input is helpful and much appreciated.
Now if only Joto would called me back!
Edit:
If it means a salvage title for your vehicle, I would NOT accept that. You lose a lot of resell value with a salvage title.
actually... what I'm wondering is if they do total it, they'd issue me a check for X amount based on some value they came up with. Seems like said value should approach what I paid, yeah? That'd let me pay off the truck, buy another AND purchase back this rig at some low price? I'm really trying to understand how that part of the "system" works so I can ask the right questions.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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I have had 2 cars totaled and bought both back and drove them into the ground. If you have saved your reciepts they will add the value of parts purchaced in the last 6 months but not labor. At least that is how it worked in VT.
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:35pm PT
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^^^^---- kick ass response. That's what I wanna know!
I did most of the labor, minus tire install, myself.
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nature
climber
back in Tuscon Aridzona....
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 3, 2011 - 09:39pm PT
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ok... here's the post that I might want to delete sooner than later.
what if some of said parts were purchased over six months ago and I installed them. Should I remove them BEFORE I get the inspection from USAA? In a way it sorta doesn't matter as they are generally not obvious.
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