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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 5, 2004, at 18:55:52
$2600 worth of damage on a car that blue book retail is $1800 and blue book trade is................wait for it......................$295! $295 for my baby? My rock? Who lovingly was mostly reliable as long as she got regular care? sigh
But, I guess I'm getting a new car for my birthday. Darn, and I really wanted a cleaning woman (or man). ;)
But seriously, here's the saga. It's quite a story.
It begins with the squealing of tires and me trying my darnedest to complete my turn before the worst. Didn't quite make it. Idiot, don't call me a bitch, YOU ran the stop sign. Okay, I seem to be okay. Darn, my stuff all spilled. Long pause. Oh, I guess I should call 911. Dials. Eight rings later, I get a recording!!!!!! Can you believe it? I hang up without even listening to it, I'm so stunned. I check to make sure I dialled the right number (how hard can it be, right?) Yep, right number. So I call campus police, whose number I know and they give me number to local police.
Waiting for police. Make several phone calls to pass the time and not feel so alone there. Get several more answering machines or voice mail. But at least hubby is available. And Dad calls me back within about 10 minutes. Notice some people driving by are angry that we are blocking two of four lanes, but at least there is one lane open on each side. But at least four cars stop to ask if we are okay. That's nice.
Oh, I suppose I should get out and look at the damage. Okay, didn't want to do that! Oh we should exchange info. I write mine down (after throwing away at least three expired cards I never took out of the glove compartment). He hands me a card. I say, is this your copy? No, I have extra. Okay. I do notice a big "TEMPORARY" written across the card, but what does that mean? Oh well. Police come, we move our cars, he takes report and lets me go. Other guy cited.
I drive about a block and a half to my office while holding my driver's door closed, cause it won't latch. Now that is an experience! Scared one person to death, I think, when it swung open as I was turning into the parking lot. My office mates laughed and said, GG, I know you are always rushing, but really, jumping out of the car before you stop it! :) Nice to laugh.
Okay, make all the requisite calls. When they transfer me to a "senior claims" person, I realize this might not be a simple matter. They take a recorded statement. I get rental car, blah blah blah.
Get call from his insurance. We need to verify the date and time of accident. Duh, it was today. Because apparently he just got his insurance. There is a discrepancy. They think he got it today, I see on his car that it started day before. His insurance guy calls again today and says that he has been unable to get in touch with the other driver. They even went to his last known address and he was not there. Again says he just got coverage same day. Again say no, day before. Lovely. Just give me my check. You were the ones who insured him, not me.
Me thinks this will drag on for a bit. Me also thinks this may wind up in court at least for him, but would I have to appear? Ugh. Don't need any of this right now. Just want to sit at my desk and do my ugly dissertation. No chance for injury except maybe a stiff neck or a paper cut.
Yikes!
gg
Posted by octopusprime on June 5, 2004, at 19:48:33
In reply to Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long), posted by gardenergirl on June 5, 2004, at 18:55:52
hi gg:
so sorry to hear your car is totalled.
i just wanted to reassure you that your presence in court will most probably (i am not a lawyer) not be required.last i remember failure to stop/yield is just a ticket. even a dangerous driving charge would not require your presence.
re: insurance = frankly that is your insurance company's problem and they should sort it out with minimum hassle to you. the only way you would see him in court was if you have to take him to small claims court to pay your deductible (but again i know nothing about your policy and how your insurance company handles uninsured motorists in at-fault claims)
insurance is probably more painful than your neck!!!
Posted by gardenergirl on June 5, 2004, at 21:42:51
In reply to gg i don't think you need a day in court » gardenergirl, posted by octopusprime on June 5, 2004, at 19:48:33
Thanks OP, that's reassuring. I think I'm just thinking the worst. Like I keep worrying that my husband is mad at me for this. I KNOW that is not true, but it is an aggravation, and buying a new car right now was not in our plans. But it was in plans for later this year, so it's really not that bad. Okay, deep breath.
Thanks again,
gg
Posted by fallsfall on June 6, 2004, at 13:11:15
In reply to Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long), posted by gardenergirl on June 5, 2004, at 18:55:52
GG - that was definately more excitement than you needed! And the insurance thing is so rediculous - you paid your premiums, they should just pay you, and too bad for them about the other guy.
Maybe you can reframe this so getting a new car is exciting??
(((Gardenergirl)))
Posted by gardenergirl on June 6, 2004, at 13:53:01
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long) » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on June 6, 2004, at 13:11:15
I'm definitely working on the reframing part. It'll be easier once this gets settled.
Thanks,
gg
Posted by TexasChic on June 7, 2004, at 8:59:52
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long), posted by gardenergirl on June 6, 2004, at 13:53:01
I just went through the exact same thing. Dealing with the insurance can be a nightmare. Do you have full coverage? I did and my insurance ended up paying for everything. The bad thing is you will get what your car is worth, which like mine, wasn't very much. The good thing, for me anyway, is that now I have a new car that's even better than the old one! I hope everything works out for you. And stay on the insurance's @ss.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2004, at 21:26:39
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda lo, posted by TexasChic on June 7, 2004, at 8:59:52
Thanks,
Fortunately I do have full coverage, even for a rental car, which I get to keep for one more week as we shop. They gave us the total pay out today. We were hoping for more, and it is minus the deductible until the other insurance co. decides to pay. Then we should get that as well. I hope I don't have to stay on them, but they WERE supposed to call today and did not. sighBut yes, I new car will be nice. I'll have to quit being such a slob in the car, though. And maybe some kind of protective blanket or liner for the back seat when I go to nurseries for plants! :)
Take care,
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2004, at 21:28:13
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long) » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on June 6, 2004, at 13:11:15
Thanks falls,
I think I am about ready to reframe. I think it's finally hit home as I have to clean out my car and turn over the title tomorrow. sniff sniff.But a new car will be nice. One with a CD player even better. And I've NEVER had power locks and windows. What a treat that will be!
Take care and thanks for the support.
gg
Posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2004, at 7:14:10
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long) » fallsfall, posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2004, at 21:28:13
You know, I had always poo-pooed power windows ("Just one more thing to break"). But I'll tell you, it is really nice to be able to control all of the windows from the driver's seat. If you get hot, you can roll down the window across the car so that the wind isn't so messy on your hair. When you get ready to park, you can close all the windows easily so the rain won't get in. The only really bad part is that if you go out to get something from your car, and you don't bring your keys, then you can't do anything about the windows. All in all, from a non-enthusiast for power windows, I would choose to have them.
Power locks are nice, too because then you can unlock other people's doors without leaning all the way across the car. It is also nice to be able to lock the whole car in one motion, without having to do something with every individual door.
I don't have one of those keychain lock/unlock things, but those could be nice, too.
This is also my first car with airconditioning. I do like that more than I thought I would. It means that if I want to listen to a book on tape on a hot day, I can. Without the air conditioning the wind noise could be too loud so I couldn't hear the tape.
Oh, but I wish I had a standard again. I do miss that. My daughter has a standard and I am jealous (but she doesn't have power windows and locks... I would still rather have the standard).
Posted by gardenergirl on June 8, 2004, at 9:18:39
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long) » gardenergirl, posted by fallsfall on June 8, 2004, at 7:14:10
Oh yes, standard is mandatory for me. I hope hubby knows that.
gg
Posted by TexasChic on June 9, 2004, at 8:38:47
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda long) » fallsfall, posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2004, at 21:28:13
Wow, you sound so much like me. I am thrilled to death to finally have a CD player and electric locks and windows! Yea!
As I was leaving after cleaning out my car, I looked back at it and it just looked so lonely and sad, I actually cried a little. It was the first car I ever bought on my own, the first new car I'd ever had, and I even picked it out and haggled for it by myself. It makes me mad that someone took something away from me, even though it was replaced with something better.
Posted by gardenergirl on June 9, 2004, at 9:53:59
In reply to Re: Okay, the car is definitely totalled (kinda lo, posted by TexasChic on June 9, 2004, at 8:38:47
Oh my gosh, I had exactly the same experience yesterday as I cleaned out my car. It looked so sad, and has been so good to me for so long. This was the first car that I paid off and kept. Also, the first car I had money for a down payment on because I had finally learned how to budget and save. It wasn't the worst looking car in the lot yesterday, but it was so sad looking. They had to tape the door closed. On the other hand, I found a lipstick that has been missing for a few weeks!
And I am now looking forward to a new car. I test drove two last night. Either one would be fine, however of course I would like the nicer, slightly bigger one. I rationalized to my hubby that we would need the bigger one if we ever have kids. :)
Thanks for sharing your story,
gg
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