My Poor Jetta

Pete,

Tou may want to see a doctor and call a lawyer -- lawyer first, probably.

The effects of an accident like this can last quite some time, and the only way you may be able to get enough money to purchase a decnt replacement car is to use the pain and suffering money from doctor visits.

-- Tom Werner

Tom has a good point regarding your body. I got a year of deep tissue massage out of a collision on the 401 where the speeds were comparable to yours (you haven't lived until you've run into a car that is driving perpendicular to traffic on a highway). In Canada, lawyers are not the first option unless there's serious bodily injury. Otherwise, the insurance companies are usually responsive to paying out for alternative therapies such as chiropractic or massage.

The Insurance company has agreed to pay for physiotherapy for as long as it is needed, but I have been in touch with a lawyer, and I am taking the asshole who hit me down!!!! As Darryl knows, the damage to the Jetta wasn't enough to write it off, but the guy hit me hard enough to send the car 40 feet forward. The police said, had I not been driving a Jetta, I most likely wouldn't be here right now. The only good thing that the guy did who hit me was aim right for the bumper shock, effectively absorbing most of the impact. The body shop said another couple of inces to the left or right and the car would be a definite write off...no question.

Regards,

Pete

Why?

I have been hit twice. Both times required some physical therapy. Both times I dealt directly with the other person's insurance. Both times I had to wait them out a while (3-6months) but they finally caved to my requests.

1) Full repair or replacement cost based on me finding 2-3 other vehicles in what I considered to be similar condition. 2) Full cost of therapy covered 3) Full cost of lost time at work due to accident and therapy 4) Some (relatively small, $1k-$2k) amount for pain, suffering, and inconvenience

If you go for a big settlement you are just contributing to all of our rising insurance costs.

Scott

He hit you from behind, while you were stopped to make left turn? How's that possible? And, how is he going to contest it? In any case, you have my sympathy when your insurance is up for renewal.

(snippage) W: It's very simple. The victim is stopped, waiting for traffic to clear, so he can safely make his turn. The other driver comes along from behind, not paying attention, expecting the lane to be empty. Lo and behold, there is a stopped car there, signalling to make a turn. Other driver can't stop in time-he's going too fast. Add alcohol, a car phone, or basic stupidity, on the part of the other driver, and you have a complete setup. End result is the same- two crunched up cars, one possibly crunched up driver 8-(. What's so hard to understand?

I am thankful that our friends on this NG survived to tell their tales, and to warn others.

The other driver is contesting it because if this all goes through, he's going to get hit badly on his car insurance premiums. He may

*think* he has court case...

Disclaimer-no, I'm not a lawyer. Yes, I have been in accidents, both at fault and not at fault. (For the record, both kinds suck.)

Walter

Rob, as I have some insurance background I can say that you are not exactly correct. Depending on the amount of accidents (whether at fault or not) the ins. company might choose not to renew the guy because he is a too high risk. I have seen that done with drivers that had 2 not at fault and a speeding ticket or 2 not at fault and 1 at fault within a 3 year period.

With no tickets, why would they raise your premium because you kept getting hit? It is not your fault... why should you get billed?.... don't they just charge the other company anyways, not like they lose money?

Interesting idea. In California you do not actually need insurance, you just need "Evidence of financial responsibility". A $30,000 bond will do just fine. Now, if you run a red light and total someone's $100k Phaeton, that bond is gone and they'll take your house to get the remaining $70k.

At least in Texas you can't lose your house in such situation, but here insurance is mandatory.

If you're wodering why insurance co's will increase your premium or drop you after an extraordinary amount of accidents - it is just statistics on their end. If they see that this guy/girl is getting hit all the time, then there's an increased probability of risk on that account and thus your premium goes up or they "nicely" choose not to renew you.

Normally this is what happens when you don't see the car in front of you...

Everyone gets annoyed at times, and he just wrecked his car. Just like you're annoyed he hit you. You've threatened to sue him, so you've made threats too. No one is perfect, and we all do and say things we latter regret.

Not bad. Only accident I was involved in was $5000+ to the minivan behind me, and $2000 to me. At least the garbage truck only hit the minivan at

5mph.

That's a risk we take driving. Many things _could_ happen in life. I could win the lottery, or I could trip and fall on a cable I have on the floor hit my head on the concrete and die.

Heh, ask the guy you're about to pay if you should pay him for his services or not? Hmmm. ;) Ok cheap shot, but not exactly a neutral party.

I'm not a big fan of law suits as you can tell, but I don't see how you've been cheated or treated poorly. You were in a car accident which happen every day. Insurance will settle the matter and you'll have medical bills and perhaps even a temporary car until your is fixed. Other than getting free money what's the point exactly? Oh! never mind I see.

-Andrew

Andrew

You put this in good perspective. Clear thinkers are rare these days...nice work!