Shoot, I would go to the best (read: most expensive) body shop in town anyway...

 

It's hard to tell from the photo but the roof doesn't appear buckled. I can't tell what sort of damage the lower frame took but assuming the car's unibody can be properly straightened; I would thank my lucky stars that the accident wasn't a rear end collision. I think there's a reasonably good chance you can get your G restored to like new condition. The good news is your wheels/suspension don't appear to have suffered much in the way of a direct impact. I'm sure the shove down the shopping lane wasn't beneficial but maybe the damage will be minimal.

It will be hard to come out ahead, financially at least, if the car is totaled. The insurance settlement will look at replacement cost not full purchase price and even 300 miles takes a substantial depreciation hit. If you have to accept a repair, choose your repair facility carefully. A good shop will take care of you and make sure that nothing is overlooked. I would think Brilliant Silver would be a relatively simple color to match. Also, look to have all suspension fittings and components replaced as part of the repair.

Best of luck.

Cale

 

I am in the same boat you are...my wife's G was 13 months old with 15k on the odometer when she was hit on Apr 18 by a lady who failed to yield the row at a stop sign. No published speed but I would estimate my wife was going 40 and the lady who hit her around 34. Same as yourself, she was the only passenger and no injuries in our vehicle. I posted the entire story here .

We should finally get it back within the next two weeks. Yep you heard me, we have been without it for a llooong time now (7 weeks!). I tried all the ideas recomended and I am going to end up with the G fixed and back in my lap. I think ours ran about $17k but she was pushed into a curb and suffered suspension damage and broken wheel on the opposite side of the impact. We also have the joy of using Allstate and and waiting to get the car back from repairs before we can claim diminished value.



Apparently Allstate will send out their diminished value adjusted and you are supposed to secure a 3rd party adjuster to review the car. I guess between those two estimates a value is determined. Not sure after that but I am assuming that a check is written to me. Once that is done I will be at the dealer working a deal on a 05.

Good luck with your situation. I guess they will make you go to Enterprise for the rental car. If you push them they will finally give you a nice rental car. We had a Hyundai at first then a Nissan Altima. We finally ended up with a Volvo S60, which is comfortable and nice with leater, however the engine is seriously underpowered. Feel free to email or PM with questions.

 

Not to sound like a "glass is half full guy," but you'll be amazed what the body shop can do for you. Don't be so quick to judge. I agree that you should pursue every legal avenue you can afford, but the worst case is that you have the repairs done and look into trading her in a few years down the road. Your engine, transmission, and suspension should all be tip-top as it is, so see what they can do for you before freaking too badly. Also, see if you can some extra stuff out of it. Maybe some mods that you wouldn't had been able to afford otherwise?

It sucks, regardless, but hang in there.

 

Just remember one thing, the insurance companies will try to get away with paying you as little as possible. They hope that if they give you a figure and state that the amount they are giving you is all you get, that you just take it and go away. You have to be stern and stand your ground. Don't accept anything less for your car. You don't need to get your car repaired to get a diminished value claim. But if you want to get it repaired, it will make things easier for you. Make sure you get an independent auto appraiser as well as a letter from the dealership stating how much they will give you for the fixed vehicle and what you would have gotten had it not been in an accident. The minute you show them that you are at their mercy, they will try to get out of it for as little money as they can... Threaten a lawsuit if you have to. remember you had a new car, that was safe. now you have a car that is repaired and has a poor resale value.

 

I know it sounds mean but you should have a right to sue the lady for diminished value on the car, since she was driving. Of course her insurance would handle it.
If you are planning on losing alot of money on this, a few hundred bux won't matter from speaking to an attorney. Have them send a letter to the insurance company on their letter head seeking reimbursement for diminished value. If not then use that attorney to go further. And like i said, if you can't get it out of the insurance company, go for the lady.

 

Sucks big time Azlane. so sorry to see that.
Good luck with repairs.
C.

Hotrodg, those pics are even worse. UGGGGGG That Suv bearing down on you must have shook you up.
Good luck with your replacement.
C.

 

Sucks man ... glad to hear you are alright. Seems like there's no shortage of G's in accidents on this board lately - I guess that's what happens when you put a couple hundred thousand of these on the road. I got hit 6 weeks ago, and still have another 2 weeks until the car is ready - not fun. The interesting thing is I've been borrowing a friend's Lincoln LS V8 ... which is a much better car than I would have originally given it credit for.

Stay all over the insurance companies, and I agree, it's never too early to develop a relationship with a lawyer over this. If it helps you get a few extra thousand when it comes to that diminished value claim, it'll pay for itself many times over.

 

Unfortunately, I have to chime in here as well. Last year I got a new 2004 6mt coupe. 7 days later someone tried to steal the car and put a hole in the drivers door. The car was at the shop for 3 weeks.

Yesterday I backed my 8 day old 2005 sedan into a poll. I am su f*.@! pissed at myself. All my fault. $1,100 later and the car is back in the shop.

I truly have the 1 week blues.

 

Thanks Gsedanman,

I am just glad that the big man upstairs decided it wasnt my time!

I'll tell you though...seeing a Ford explorer barreling down at you and then flipping/rolling over is not a pretty sight. I am just glad that it landed on the rear end of the car, not directly on top of the G..Pheww! I am just bummed out now, as the Claims process is just beginning, and I just hope everything goes smooth and easy.

Well I'll keep things updated...to the final outcome of my situation.


AZLANE: I would definitely not let the Insurance company dictate what is going to be done. Like some of the members have said already, if you are not happy with each proposal...tell the insurance company that this is not acceptable. Remember their client (the other driver) put you in this situation by hitting your car, so they need to step up to the plate, to assume as much responsibility as possible. Just my 2 cents. Good luck though!

 

i would contact the lady that hit you and tell her that her insurance company is not paying for the full damages and diminished value. If she is not helpful, you should tell her you are going to authorize a lawsuit against her for the damages. Make her fight it out with her insurance company....she is the one who caused the accident and damage.

 

Sorry to heard about your car, hope it doesn't happen to my car. My car only a month old.

 

Check your math. $5K over 60 months is close to $6K. Either number is a lot of jack.

 

Is it just my imagination or are the only G's getting smashed the sedans? Haven't seen a Coupe hit yet.