Rear ended on my way to work (pics)

[jgnat1488]

Hey all
Well such is my luck! This morning i got popped from behind. I think the insurance company is going to write it off as a loss. Heres the deal, About 7:30 i was cruising and had to stop for a guy making a left turn (two lane road) As soon as he made the turn I heard the dreadfull sounds of tires squalling behind me. I no more than looked up and saw a nice lifted toyota front grill and BAMMM :eek: . I was in the air inside of the cab and before I knew what really happend I was rolling across the other lane. The vents that are under the dash BROKE loose and fell out just dangling from one piece of plastic. It even took me a min. to find my hat. It went from my head to under my butt. The bed of the good ole mazda was pushed into the back of the cab and now the doors don't even close right. As I was standing with the guy who hit me I noticed that in the bed off my truck was some empty beer cans (I DON'T DRINK) and then it hit me, I was target practicing over the weekend and still had guns in the front seat! :D
Great i thought, this looks bad, beer and guns. The officer new I hadent touched anything to drink and was cool about the guns (nice living in the country). I don't know what is oing to happen yet with the truck but I will keep yall posted. Maybe "flatbed" the mazda or matbe get a 6.2 chevy?? Below are some pics.
http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/evefiles/photo_albums/3/6/2/362108157/762108157_EA02F224B261CD724B6CF3B77B0B9D67.jpg

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/evefiles/photo_albums/3/6/2/362108157/662108157_3C7CE06463ECBC6CB852E70CF362827F.jpg

http://biodiesel.infopop.cc/evefiles/photo_albums/3/6/2/362108157/562108157_627947EA43045442227CEA37BA44D7BC.jpg

[Ryan DeWald]

Man that sux. I've been rear-ended twice. Helpless feeling. Hope the insurance company takes care of you properly.

As an insurance attorney, if you have any questions I'm happy to give you suggestions in dealing with the insurance company.

[jgnat1488]

Ryan,
Thanks for the offer. I am not planning on sueing or anything like that. I just want either my mazda drivable again or another diesel truck. I don't think the mazda is worth saving to them but I don't think they will give me enough money to get another diesel truck either. They said the adjuster will be out within 48hrs to look at it and go from there. Is there anyway I can get them to give me enought to get even an older diesel? I havn't looked up NADA value yet but don't suspect it will be much. I lucked out and found this "jem" for $800 but that doesn't happen everyday.

[Ryan DeWald]

I'm no adjuster but I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't total it out.

When a vehicle is totaled, the claimant is entitled to the "actual cash value" of the vehicle. That number is obviously up for discussion so you should be prepared to have that discussion.

You can be ready for that by doing research to butress your idea of what the ACV is of the ol' Mazda.

Make a list of any features on the vehicle that could have added to its value: new tires, unique light system, stereo, etc. If this car is converted, you'll have to figure on whether you want to remove your conversion or try to get the value out of that out as well. I don't know how they'll approach it but they should pay for it.

The adjuster will look at the car and determine its pre-crash condition: excellent, good, fair, poor.

Then s/he'll look up on the markets to find similar Mazdas as close to your house as possible.

You should look up Kelly Blue Book, Autotrader.com, newspapers, etc. Make copies of all the Mazadas you see. The insurance company is going to point you to the two or three cheapest trucks that they found that are still comperable to yours. You should find as many of the most expensive and then try to show how these more expensive ones are more like your truck was than those less expensive ones. These conversations can happen over the phone and they can be very non-confrontational.

They will remind you that ACV does not include things such as dealership advertising costs, etc.

Don't take their first offer. Tell them you'd like to do more research or compare their vehicles to the ones that you've found, etc. Ultimately, you'll probably both have numbers in your minds and then you try to bargain between them. You should make sure that you are offered reimbursement of the sales tax for your replacement vehicle.

Another option if you really like the truck is to get paid out on it but make sure you find out where it's going. Since it still runs, they're likely to sell it at auction with a salvage title. If you keep tabs on it you could buy it back for much less than you got paid out for it and use the balance of the funds to have it repaired. It is, of course a gamble since you'd be buying it at auction.

The decision to total a car is made by determining whether it can be repaired for 80% of the estimated actual cash value of the car. So if the car is worth $1000 and a repair shop can give a quote of $799 for repairs, then they will cut the repair check. So if you really really want to keep the truck but the insurance company wants to total it, you should be able to make a deal where they pay you out the 80% ACV and you keep the truck.

Good luck!

[jgnat1488]

I assume that the diesel option would play a big part in the ACV? So I should see what I can find in a small truck with a diesel around the same year and for as close tothe condition and cost as mine? Sounds fair. If no others are available then just think about trying to get them to settle for 80% of what they want to give me for it and retain the title? Sounds fair also. I talked to themearlier and they said they will have to do a cost comparison since NADA doesn't list a price for an '83 diesel B2200. My biggest concern is getting a diesel truck to drive. Not too conserned with the kind of diesel as long as it's a diesel truck. I havn't done the conversion yet, most of the parts are in the toolbox on the back of the truck. I guess I need to see what I can find within the state for small diesel trucks of early '80's vintage. :D

[ZukiFrodo]

Wow, it looks like the yota hit you pretty hard! Glad you walked away from it. I'd like to know how you wound up sitting on the hat that was originally on your head. That's too funny!

From what I've heard, you'd best do a little research and be prepared to state your case, with evidence, concerning the value. It may or may not help, but certainly won't hurt. By no means tell them what you paid!

[ZukiFrodo]

From RobertD, www.atlantabiofuels.org
2/19/05 at 08:36 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have decided to sell my trustworthy 1986 Ford Ranger Turbo Diesel.

It is a bit banged up, but still a great little work truck.

Great for use with biodiesel.



1986 Ford Ranger Turbo Diesel

Extended Bed

Blue

No A/C

No powersteering (but easily fixed if you decide you need it)

Odomoeter broken..so not sure of mileage..guessing around 150K

Good tires.

Lots of life left.



I am trying to find my digital camera..and when I do, I will post pictures.

If you would like to see/drive the truck, feel free to call me.

(404) 219 9709



Asking $2500.00 OBO



-Rob

[luckys420]

question. when someone hits you from behind, is it their insurance you have to work with? and does your insurance stayout of it or do they try to "help" you in some way?
thanks,
will

[jgnat1488]

I noticed the ford ranger and I would love to have it!! Money and distance might play a part in that. :(

Luckys420: Yes my insurance company is staying out of it. They really let me down. I only had liability on it so they just said tough luck. I thought that they would have at least cared about a long standing customer. So far the other drivers insurance (state farm) has been doing a good job of follow ups and we will wait and see what they come back with after they look at the truck (today or tomarrow). As for me walking away, yes i did but today i feel like i was in a car wreck :D . Nice HOT baths and heating pad help. I would love to get my mazda back, I loved that little thing even tho i only had it on the road for a month!! I have been looking everywhere i can think of on the web and can't find ANY small diesel trucks in my area and the ones that I find out of area are $2000 +!! Maybe they will be nice since it's not listed in kelly blue book or NADA. :D

[jgnat1488]

Wow, it looks like the yota hit you pretty hard! Glad you walked away from it. I'd like to know how you wound up sitting on the hat that was originally on your head. That's too funny!

From what I've heard, you'd best do a little research and be prepared to state your case, with evidence, concerning the value. It may or may not help, but certainly won't hurt. By no means tell them what you paid!

Kinda funny youshould ask, I remember upon impact I was off the seat for a second and then the next thing I know I was coasting across the other lane (good thing noone was coming). I'm just mad that it messed up the cab! If the bed was the only thing toast then it wouldn't be a big deal but the cab "b" pillars are hard to fix. Maybe I should find out how much a pre-made flat bed costs and see if they would go that route?

[ekim]

Glad you weren't really hurt. I have heard that in rear-enders (any accident?) it really isn't a bad idea to have a doc check your neck and back. I understand you're not planning on a lawsuit, but it wouldn't be good to find out you needed medical attention after settling with the ins...just a thought.

[luckys420]

I would definately do that! it was suck to "just have a sore neck" that never goes away. I am betting that is why liabilty coverage has some money allocated to medical cost. ;)

[Greenlion]

There's a guy on this or the Greasecar website who periodically surfaces with the idea of implanting a diesel into a Ford Merkur. Maybe you could get the vehicle back from the Ins. and sell him the motor and ancillaries.

[jgnat1488]

I did go to the ER "just in case". I was fine just "shaken not stirred". Thanks for the concern. As for selling the truck, I just don't know yet. Still waiting to hear back from insurance and then might (might not) be a cat and mouse game.

[Wreckerman]

J, you say that you are not interested in suing the guilty party. I can appreciate that, I'm not real fond of "sewers" that stage accidents or jump on board an existing accident. But you are entittled to be compensated for your pain and suffering, loss of use of the vehicle (you should be in a rental right now on State Farm's nickle) and the aggravation this caused you. And if the doofus rear ended you he was probably riding around with his head up his wazoo and not paying attention to what he was doing. I would play hardball with the adjuster and tell them if I didn't get a reasonable offer I would be speaking to a lawyer. Good luck.

[jgnat1488]

J, you say that you are not interested in suing the guilty party. I can appreciate that, I'm not real fond of "sewers" that stage accidents or jump on board an existing accident. But you are entittled to be compensated for your pain and suffering, loss of use of the vehicle (you should be in a rental right now on State Farm's nickle) and the aggravation this caused you. And if the doofus rear ended you he was probably riding around with his head up his wazoo and not paying attention to what he was doing. I would play hardball with the adjuster and tell them if I didn't get a reasonable offer I would be speaking to a lawyer. Good luck.

They have the rental reserved for me (have since the first day). I drove my gas gussler (geo tracker) today and honestly feel more comfertable in my own rather than a rental. They have taken care of the tow allready and I just got the paperwork from the hospital today to send to them. The insurance guy looked at the mazda on tue. and I am waiting to hear back about that. They have said that the two days I was out of work is no problem and we shall see about getting paid for that. I am a nice guy and honestly have been in "lala land" myself for the morning comute. If they decide to be stuborn about the truck then I will switch from mr. nice guy to mr. a$$. We shall see.

[cgoodwin]

free advice (you get what you pay for) from someone in the auto repair business:

1) have your vehicle taken to a shop YOU trust for evaluation, be sure they charge storage and refuse to let it be moved until an agreement is reached. IT IS YOUR VEHICLE. Often they will try to move the vehicle to a storage yard they own so they will not be paying for each day it is there, having it in a place which charges storage motivates them to settle even faster than a rental which does have a time limit. I often store clients cars and tell the insurance company that there is storage, the settle and I release the car....Have not yet charged storage but it gets them moving.

2) You are entitled to a replacement vehicle, hold out for it. I get owners of vintage cars worth $20k being told that thier car is worth only $2500 since it is SO OLD all the time.

3) Get what you deserve, your vehicle back or an equivelent and you wasted time paid for. Insurance companies are gambleing, when they loose they need to pay up. I hate stupid law suits but at the end of the day, you were minding your own business and now are suffering for thier clients stupidity. he pays insurance to be sure that your vehicle is replaced and you are compensated for your losses, wages, medical, vehicle replacement. They surely did not delay and play games when he was late on his payments did they?

good luck, sorry for your loss and just glad you are OK.

Chris

[ZukiFrodo]

Jason, here's a possible replacement solution for you to think about. I noticed that you're driving a Tracker. Well, put a VW diesel in your Geo Tracker. Goto www.acmeadapters.com for more information on swap kits if you are interested. The contact there is Jeff Kerr, and I've known him to be honest, helpful, and technically brilliant.

[jgnat1488]

Update:
They have made me mad now!! Since they can't find a listing for an '83 B2200 diesel they are using an '86 B2000 GAS . This puts the value at $1000 and they get the truck or $750 and I keep it. :mad: I was told that if i feelt it was worth more I need to find proof of the value ie: others for sale. This is nice since there isn't many left in the world much less the US. I am doing research now but have no luck finding one in the US to use as an example. So now that they have made what I consider to be an insulting offer, I am going to seek P&S (pain & suffering), another day off work to research a bogas offer, cell phone min. related to accident, and mental anguish <sp> for the hassle. If anyone can send for sale adds my way for diesel mazda trucks I would be in your debt!!

[jgnat1488]

Jason, here's a possible replacement solution for you to think about. I noticed that you're driving a Tracker. Well, put a VW diesel in your Geo Tracker. Goto www.acmeadapters.com for more information on swap kits if you are interested. The contact there is Jeff Kerr, and I've known him to be honest, helpful, and technically brilliant.

I have thought about that several times. I am a suzuki nut myself and loved my samurais in the past (all 7 of them). This still may be an opption in the future.

[jgnat1488]

free advice (you get what you pay for) from someone in the auto repair business:

1) have your vehicle taken to a shop YOU trust for evaluation, be sure they charge storage and refuse to let it be moved until an agreement is reached. IT IS YOUR VEHICLE. Often they will try to move the vehicle to a storage yard they own so they will not be paying for each day it is there, having it in a place which charges storage motivates them to settle even faster than a rental which does have a time limit. I often store clients cars and tell the insurance company that there is storage, the settle and I release the car....Have not yet charged storage but it gets them moving.

2) You are entitled to a replacement vehicle, hold out for it. I get owners of vintage cars worth $20k being told that thier car is worth only $2500 since it is SO OLD all the time.

3) Get what you deserve, your vehicle back or an equivelent and you wasted time paid for. Insurance companies are gambleing, when they loose they need to pay up. I hate stupid law suits but at the end of the day, you were minding your own business and now are suffering for thier clients stupidity. he pays insurance to be sure that your vehicle is replaced and you are compensated for your losses, wages, medical, vehicle replacement. They surely did not delay and play games when he was late on his payments did they?

good luck, sorry for your loss and just glad you are OK.

Chris

Chris,
Thanks for the advice. I also work "in the bussiness" and have the truck behind the fence where I work. I have a company ticket on it so that it is covered by my work as well. All I want from them is what I am now out of. A small diesel truck, and time missed from work. I don't think this is too unreasonable.

[luckys420]

are all B2200 trucks diesel? i found this one.
will

__________________________________________________ ____________
1989 Mazda B2200 Pickup - $2500 (san jose south)
Reply to: morleda@yahoo.com
Date: 2005-02-23, 6:46AM PST


Standard cab, 5 spd. A/C, AM/FM/CD, Recent paint (Charcoal metallic), Burgandy interior. Has 112,000 miles, runs great.

I bought this truck in 1989 from the original owner. It had only 96 miles on it....he just bought it, and became ill with Parkinson's disease, and could no longer drive. It was my daily driver for years, and then became the "spare car" when needed. It's really been a good truck, but only gets driven a few hundred miles per year, so it's not real smart for me to keep paying insurance on something I rarely drive.

The truck runs really well. The only minor problem is occasionally one of the valve-lash adjusters sticks, and it sounds like a noisy lifter. It hasn't made this sound in months, and if it does, it has always gone away after a few miles of driving. The truck has never been in an accident.

Take a look at the pics, and let me know if you need more info.

http://photos.yahoo.com/morleda

Regards,
Dave

[jgnat1488]

Thanks. The diesels were only from '82-'85 later b2200 were gas. Thanks again

[Ryan DeWald]

I found one! Unfortunately it's in NZ. But looks sweet!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Trucks/auction-22264396.htm

[jgnat1488]

darn!! And it closd with NO bids!! So....how much would shipping be?? :D