I just bought this nice '86 SE (4-cyl) An on Friday (05/10/02). The lady who's fault it was looked no older than 12. I had just turned left from a light and up ahead of me was the entrance/exit to a movie theater when a red Ford Ranger came flying out turning left (if she completed the turn she whould have been going in the opposite lane to me) I clipped her in her rear left corner with my front left corner and rolled her over. There was nothing I could have done. Naturally when I saw her I slammed on the brakes (locking the wheels) but it wasn't enough.
Now my only question is are they going to total my car and what other options do I have? I have limited collision Ins. they should repair if they don't total it. The Left headlight is gone, The bumper/frame looks bent in at a 45 I really cant tell all what's wrong because the claim person hasn't seen it yet. That really makes me ticked off, at least nobody was hurt.
I know what you're going through. I had an accident without any other cars involved so I didn't involve my insurance. I only have liability right now anyway. Hope it all goes well for you. If it is totalled by the insurance company, maybe you can part it out yourself and make some money.
you cant do anything till the insurance company says what they intend to do. Dont just take a check and let them have the car till you know all your options after you find out.
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02:22 PM
White88cpe No longer registered
Report this Post05-13-2002 03:23 PM
White88cpe
posts Member since
If it wasn't your fault, atleast from what I know, you hold most the cards, atleast the good ones. You dont have to accept their insurance companys offer. You can make them fix it.
Originally posted by White88cpe: If it wasn't your fault, atleast from what I know, you hold most the cards, atleast the good ones. You dont have to accept their insurance companys offer. You can make them fix it.
Yeah that's what my dad ways telling me that night. But what if they can't find the parts? Or will it take for ever? I just can't stand being without my baby! She was just so innocent.
Originally posted by fieroman_5000: Yeah that's what my dad ways telling me that night. But what if they can't find the parts? Or will it take for ever? I just can't stand being without my baby! She was just so innocent.
Fieroman
Raise enough fuss, they'll find the parts. I know how it feels to be without ya fiero. A while back I couldn't drive mine cuz of problems with the coilpack.. icky feeling being able to see a fiero and not drive it
Go after the 12 year old's insurance company. I hope you called the police and got a report, detailing that it was totally the other driver's fault, if they determine that you are remoteley at fault, insurance companies can easily screw you. Tell them what you paid for it, come up with as many expenses as you can w/reciepts. Tell them you want exactly that much money. If they don't agree to pay, tell them your neck/pancreas/shoulder/liver/pinky finger/whatever hurts and they will settle very quickly for what you want, plus you should be able to buy your car back for a few hundred bucks! This could work out in your favor, it has for me in the past.
------------------ '86 SE V-6 (Soon to be V-8, I hope!) '75 Fiat 124 Spider '88 Ford T-Bird Turbo
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05:46 PM
Poncho Jim Member
Posts: 869 From: Woodlands, MB, Canada Registered: Mar 2000
The Ranger rolled over after you clipped it with your Fiero ?? (ANOTHER reason I hate SUV's).
By your description, it sounds like you are in the clear. The other driver pulled into traffic before it was safe.
If you are in the clear, then the other persons insurance should pay.. Although they'll fight like crazy to pay as little as possible.. Don't take their first offer.. You can fight it to some degree.
------------------ 1988 Fiero Coupe 2.5L 1990 Trans Am GTA 5.7L
I got in a car accident in March.... sounds like its about the same type of damage it took 2 days to get all the needed parts, they were used of course but thats ok, once its painted you can't even tell
------------------ 1984 2M4 SE GT "Can I Buy A Vowel Please?"
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07:09 PM
avengador1 Member
Posts: 35468 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
Whatever you do, don't let her insurance company take possesion of your car. Take it to three repair shops and get estimates. Tell them (her insurance) that you want at least the lowest estimate paid to you, so you can get your car fixed, or sue her for the damages you suffered and take the estimates to court as proof of damages.
------------------
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07:27 PM
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Poncho Jim Member
Posts: 869 From: Woodlands, MB, Canada Registered: Mar 2000
Originally posted by Poncho Jim: Yea.. but enclose the back, put in seats and it's an SUV.. Not much difference. (Doesn't take much to get me on an SUV rant )
I hear you with that. I hate SUVs. 99% of the people who own, will never use them like they were meant to be used. And most owners try to drive them like sports cars.
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08:59 PM
wkayl Member
Posts: 2912 From: Loveland, Co Registered: Feb 2000
Originally posted by FieroGTS: I hear you with that. I hate SUVs. 99% of the people who own, will never use them like they were meant to be used. And most owners try to drive them like sports cars.
Very true but then again 90% of them i would never take offroad. they are nothing more then vans for ppl who dont want to admit they drive one. damn soccer moms!
I HATE SMAVS(suv's vans) Soccer Mom Assault Vehicles to be exact. I was almost hit head on by one in a blizzard this winter. This retard decided to do a burn out on to the street and he fish tailed to much and came flying right at me!! i ended up in a ditch to avoid it(my baby is still very much alive with no damage!!) Then a dumb girl in the gravel lot at school slammed into the rear of my car. It was her fault since i was on the street and As i stepped off the clutch to move forward she slammed into me going forward out of her parking spot. My car is small but not invisible!!! Well she tried to say i backed into her when I WAS NOT EVEN MOVING and it was clear on the streetI was pulling on to. She smashed the passenger side of her car and(mazda Mx3) my car only had a little green smudge!. These fieros are tough little F*#94ers! I said to the insurance adjuster that she owes me a car wash and she laughed.
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02:46 AM
May 15th, 2002
fieroman_5000 Member
Posts: 1407 From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2001
I guess I could get some more estimates but I want the job done right if it is to be fixed at all. I took it to a Pontiac dealer and when the guy tokk his first look at it he said "I can tell you right now it's gonna be totaled" But if I took it to some small body shop and am able to get an estimate that would be less than the value of the car then it's not totaled then? My dad figures that AAA will settle us with about $3500 to $4000 At the end of all of this.
Now I don't know if I should take the money and run and get a real nice one or fight or what????
Thanks for all the responses.
Fieroman
BTW: my dad ownes a F150 Supercrew. (hes does NOT drive it like a sports car, although he did own 4 fieros at one time.)
Originally posted by rogergarrison: you cant do anything till the insurance company says what they intend to do. Dont just take a check and let them have the car till you know all your options after you find out.
Roger, on first party (his company) this would be true, on 3rd party claims (their fault) this is not the case. He can chose to have it fixed wherever he wants and the ins co has NO right to see the car or write any estimates first.
I still highly recommend "letting" them see it (good faith goes a long way) and taking LOTS of pics as the shop does the repair.
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09:59 AM
fieroman_5000 Member
Posts: 1407 From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2001
Originally posted by TRiAD: Roger, on first party (his company) this would be true, on 3rd party claims (their fault) this is not the case. He can chose to have it fixed wherever he wants and the ins co has NO right to see the car or write any estimates first.
I still highly recommend "letting" them see it (good faith goes a long way) and taking LOTS of pics as the shop does the repair.
So I can have it fixed wherever I want and have them pick up the tab even if the repair costs more than the Blue Book value???
its a 4cyl fiero why would you do that? if you can get 1500-2500 for the car from insurance company just go out and buy a v6 fiero, or use half that and go buy another very nice 4cyl one.
there are two 1986 SE v6 automatics fully loaded here in WV each could be bought for 1200 or less. both need painted, one needs a drivers seat skin, other doesnt, but both run Excellent.
matthew
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03:23 PM
FieroMaster88 Member
Posts: 7680 From: Mattawan, MI Registered: Nov 2000
Keep in mind guys...we are dealing with Michigan here. We have No-Fault insurance. When my car get's hit...my insurance company pays for it, even if it wasnt my fault. I'd say if they are gonna total it and give you $4000, take the money, buy your car back for whatever ammount they want and fix it yourself. Or part it out and buy a really nice one with whatever ammount of money you have left over.
------------------ James Essar Co-Founder of NEO Fiero Club! 88 V6 Coupe 3.2L V6 With all the goodies..soon to be Turbo! 84 SE 4 speed Stock 4, Wanna Race?
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03:23 PM
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fieroman_5000 Member
Posts: 1407 From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2001
I guess what I'm gona do is get a couple more quotes for the repair costs and see if I can end up good or else I'll just take the $$$ and buy this nice mint 86 GT that I've had my eye on.
I say , if you look at your car, and see extensive frame damage, it might be better if you let them cut you a check, and then get a "new" Fiero.
Mine was smushed while it was parked, and the repair bill is already over a grand, and that is with a friend of mine doing the repairs...the frame is bent, and I'm replacing the left front suspension...and I fear that it will ride like $hit...
Well...mine doesn't have any suspension but the frame is smushed inat a 45 degree angle. the front hood is stuck shut and it needs a new front hood, left front fender, and a new fascia.
Fieroman
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05:34 PM
fieroman_5000 Member
Posts: 1407 From: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2001
Originally posted by fieroman_5000: yup...mine looked just like the one in your sig (the black one) do you know anyone else on the forum from Ann Arbor?
Fieroman
a couple people have posted from here, one drives a silver 86 SE I believe, he works about a mile from where I live, I have seen it a few times, but never met him....
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11:54 PM
May 26th, 2002
johnt671 Member
Posts: 2271 From: sugarloaf pa usa Registered: Feb 2001
The worst place to go for an estimate is a dealer. They don't want to be bothered working on Fieros. Had a dealer once tell me he had no one who could work on Fieros
(ANOTHER reason I hate SUV's).
