My car was totalled

[XCashier]

I am feeling pretty good; everyone has been saying the day after you get really sore but so far I haven't experienced that.

Still, take care of yourself and take things easy. A hot bath or two will help.

Said one last goodbye to the car today:...I cried the whole drive home from that.

Perfectly understandable. Most people do get attached to their first cars; I still miss mine and it's been twenty-two years since I said goodbye.

Sounds like you're doing everything right, getting good advice from those who've been there before. It's going to be a long process, but keep your head and you'll be fine.

[protege]

At least you're OK.

I too still miss my first car, a '91 Toyota Tercel. Great little car, never let me down, etc. I learned how to drive stick in it

But, looking at the photos, the accident could have been a *lot* worse. Many times, it's the innocent victim that is seriously injured or killed by a drunk driver. The drunk asshole usually doesn't feel anything--the alcohol tends to numb them.

I'd get a lawyer, and go after the asshole. I have *very* little sympathy for drunk drivers. Don't sign anything until a lawyer can look at it.

[BeeMused]

I'd get a lawyer, and go after the asshole. I have *very* little sympathy for drunk drivers. Don't sign anything until a lawyer can look at it.

This! QFT!
Make the asshole pay, he deserves it for driving drunk. This could have ended so much worse. :shudder: I'm glad that you're all mostly OK.

[Ree]

Glad you're OK. How awful.

[Sunshine]

Omg...i'm glad you're ok

[Jay 2K Winger]

Glad to hear you're okay.

I drink so rarely that I'm never in any worry about drinking and driving-- if I'm gonna be behind the wheel, I stick to one beer, then non-alcoholic drinks going forward. If I'm not gonna be driving, then hey, I'll have another drink or two.

[Der Cute]

Oh my god. I'm amazed there is no injury/big problem *knock wood* after looking at that car. Looking at the tow yard picture, it seems like DUI guy turned right? onto your street, fishtailed and slid into your front left - bashing tat with his side. Am I right? Hey, I recently had a car crash and had to figure tat stuff out.
Doesn't airbag powder taste like fire extinguisher powder? Nasty stuff!!!
Please, Dr. checkup TODAY if you haven't, just for proof. I couldn't go to one of the walk-in clinics, they said they don't deal with car accident crash/details. US Healthworks was it. (My doc was 30 mi away, and riding a bus would have been waaay long). Doctor checkup, lawyer, mechanic recommendations...christ. I'd allow at least a week for shock!

Big hugs to all three of you.
Am soo glad you're alive.

[Antares]

I'd get a lawyer, and go after the asshole. I have *very* little sympathy for drunk drivers.

I agree. An old girlfriend of mine was hit by a drunk driver about 13 or 14 years ago. She was a pedestrian and the guy drifted off the road and clipped her with his mirror. She was very lucky that it only broke her arm, but it required her getting a metal plate installed.

You can feel the corner of the plate. I was talking to her a couple of days ago and she was telling me that her arm was aching and she was going to need to rest it on a heating pad once we got off the phone.

[PepperElf]

Also, the drunk's insurance company is going to try and get you to sign papers. Don't, not until you get a lawyer to look them over first. His insurance company is going to do everything it can to weasel out of paying your hospital bills and your pain and suffering.

You deserve pain and suffering. That, plus the blue book value on your car should at least pay it off if not paid off and/or go towards a down payment on a new one.

Finally. I am SOOOOO glad you are ok.

Indeed.

One of my former coworkers was in a bad accident back in 04: truck pulled out onto the road at 2am with absolutely no lights on, so she couldn't see him until it was too late to avoid the collision.

his insurance tried to intimidate her, blaming her for the accident, regardless of the police report. it took a while of fighting for her to get what she wanted.

[bhskittykatt]

Oh my god. I'm amazed there is no injury/big problem *knock wood* after looking at that car. Looking at the tow yard picture, it seems like DUI guy turned right? onto your street, fishtailed and slid into your front left - bashing tat with his side. Am I right? Hey, I recently had a car crash and had to figure tat stuff out.

Actually he was turning to his left. The road makes a 90 degree turn there and becomes another road. He came around at high speed, fishtailed and was "drifting" through the turn so that his front right side made contact with my front left side. He was basically skidding sideways down the middle of the street when he hit me. He took up both lanes and there was nowhere for me to go.

I have my job shadow today so maybe the PTs will give me some free pointers. After that I'm calling an attorney I emailed on Saturday. Also going to stop by the bank and talk car loans; I don't know how long it will be for the insurance check and I kind of need a car for work (and even with a check from the insurance company, I'm still going to be looking at financing anyway if I want to purchase something halfway reliable, so may as well go see where I stand).

[taxguykarl]

Good to see that everyone is (at least physically) OK. Even more impressive that the other driver actually had insurance. Yes definately meet with your own lawyer, as the other driver's insurance will do their level best to get off easy at your expense. Here's some information for losses that don't get covered.

[BroSCFischer]

Glad you're OK.

SC

[Sunshine]

When i had my last car totalled, the other drivers ins paid for a rental....maybe you can get the same.

[bhskittykatt]

Unnggggghhhhh.....

So got a cert letter from the tow truck company today saying my vehicle is going to auction and that I can be charged with "littering -- abandoned vehicle" which would come with a nice fine and possibly suspension of my driving privileges, not to mention the impound fees. I can't afford them. I just went in the hole to get a replacement car. I'm pretty much underwater.

Where is the other guys' insurance in all this? I WOULD LOVE TO F**KING KNOW!!! They haven't returned my calls. No one can connect me with anyone who can help me; I just get voicemail. I've been going in circles and it's driving me insane.

Seriously, I get one phone number for the office, and they only give me a 1-800 number. That number gives me another 1-800 number, which leads me to the voicemail of the claims rep. So I leave a polite voicemail with details on where the car is and to please call me back. Clearly nothing has been done. I have managed to track down a fax number and am faxing a copy of the letter I got, but...I still want to talk to a person, dammit! I only have so many days before the vehicle hits auction...

Of course, I just had to go with just cheap liability, so my insurance is no help. They said they'd be working with the other guy's insurance on my behalf, but I haven't heard back from them, either. (On my replacement car, I opted for more coverage. I am learning my lesson in a difficult way.)

Stressing and crying and freaking out now...

On the plus side, the tow company said they do offer payment plans after the auction. $50/month at no interest for whatever balance remains. I could handle that. Still deeply worried about that potential citation though.

Just really PO'ed at the other insurance right now.

[Arcus]

A common trick that some insurance companies use is to give someone the run around till they just give up. Sounds like that is what is happening to you now. Time to stop being polite and start putting the pressure on them. You may want to threaten them with calling a lawyer if they don't start returning your call. If they don't call back, see if your lawyer would be willing to draft a letter to them. They know they will lose if this ever goes to court so they will most likely start calling back if they think you are getting ready to sue them.

You tried being nice. It's time to play mean with them.