My poor Volvo got rear-ended

T

Taxlady

New member
We left my friend's apartment about 01h30. A few blocks away I was stopped at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn. The light was for straight ahead only. The light changed to regular green and I was about to make my turn, when I saw the cop car turn on its flashers. Then we got slammed in the rear. We weren't hurt. I stopped my car on the other side of the intersection next to the curb and turned off the engine.



The lady cop came over to see if we were alright. Her partner, also a lady, went to check on the idiot who had rear ended me. A lot of other cop cars came to the intersection. I guess the guy who hit me was drunk, because they had him in handcuffs. I got her and her partner's names and badge numbers and the incident number. I guess I couldn't ask for better witnesses.



We got towed home, about 20 km and emptied the trunk and cabin. Then the tow truck guy drove me to the dealership. I put the key and my biz card in an envelope, put the license number on the outside along with my name and phone number. Put it in the slot provided. The tow truck guy drove me home.



I don't think I'm gonna sleep much tonight. Steve, the tow truck guy, figures the insurance company isn't going to want to repair my car. I'm all in a tizzy. My beautiful car is damaged - by an idiot drunk driver. I'm not going to be able to relax until I've spoken with my insurance company.



And it's income tax season. I don't have time for this now.
 
I REALLY hated reading this. But thank goodness you are alright. The car is just metal and even though it hurts, it can be replaced or repaired.



Remember to prioritize things. The car might be the least important thing on your current to-do list. Hang in there.
 
Taxlady-Really sorry to hear about the accident. Yeah, that's lousy timing, too. But as Brad said, at least you weren't injured.
 
Taxlady we are all very glad you were not hurt. You can always get another car. Try to settle down and go with the flow.
 
Linda, I am very sorry to hear about this incident. The most important thing is that you are not hurt.



I have had a few problems with my car, which is beyond repair but I hope yours can be fixed. The lesson for me in the last week is that cars really can be replaced but your health, that is priceless. This sounds contrite but I really mean it.
 
Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. It really means a lot.



I've spoken to a very nice lady at the insurance company. I can rent a car of equivalent size. She recommeded Enterprise, which is fine by me, because I like them (I used to rent from them a lot before I bought the Volvo). She told me to tell them it's a Volvo and they will know what kind of car to give me. Enterprise will bill the insurance company for the rental.



The car rental company says I get a standard size or full size car. If I get a choice between a Taurus and a Grand Am, which should I take? Which one uses less gas? Those were the two examples they gave. I may not have the choice, or it might be a different choice. All depends on what they have available.



I spoke with the service department at the dealership. It's not looking good. They are afraid it may cost more than the book value to fix the car. If that is the case, it's a write off and I get paid the book value. But, they don't have final say. The insurance company's appraiser will look at it tomorrow or Wednesday and he has the final say.



And yes, you all are right to remind me to appreciate no injuries. That is the most important thing. I'm even glad the idiot drunk didn't get hurt. But, I'm glad his SUV has serious damage. (tsk tsk, shame on me)



I really was lucky that the police were there. If she hadn't turned on her flashers, it might have been much worse. I saw those flashers and hit my brakes. Otherwise, I would have been making a left turn when I got hit and probably have been spun round and hit something like a parked car, a building, the guy who hit me, or another car stopped at the intersection.
 
We had a fellow moderator over at the Lexus Owners Club hit by a drunk driver the other day too.



Sorry to hear about it Taxlady!



Its the St Patty's Day season...
 
Well, the repairs will cost more than the market value of the car. :(



It's also been declared a "Véhicule Gravement Accidenté" (gravely accidented vehicle), so it would need a very strict inspection by the SAAQ (motor vehicle department) to be considered road worthy again. And, the registration would be marked VGA, which really lowers the market value.



It just doesn't look that bad. The first two pix show that most of the car is still fine, the next three show the damage.



1.
 

Attachments

  • pict0118640.jpg
    pict0118640.jpg
    315.2 KB · Views: 276
Linda,



Do careful research on the value of the car and don't be afraid to negotiate the buy out price. "Book value" can mean several things. Most every insurance adjuster will use market-based wholesale pricing to get his numbers; basically, what a similar car would sell for at auction. Of course you want more than that price because consumers cannot replace their cars for that amount.



About the rental, try to get the newest nicest car they have regardless of model. Might as well drive something decent, right?



Once the paperwork is done, what's next? Are you car shopping now?
 
That stinks! Sorry for your loss, but atleast your safe and healthy.

I hope that the insurance company gives you a good fair deal!
 
They aren't giving me book value, they are giving me market value. It actually looks about right, if you don't consider how well that car was maintained and how well it ran.



I've already got the rental car. I have it until Monday. It's a Sebirng. I'm not impressed. I was offered a Ford Explorer, but I can't afford the extra gas at the moment. And, at the moment, I hate SUVs. Because he was driving a big SUV, he hit my trunk before the bumper. That's a large part of the reason there was so much damage. But, dang, I'm glad I was in a Volvo.



Yup, I'm shopping for a car. I'm looking at a 1993 Volvo 850 with leather upholstry, sun roof, and all that good stuff. Of course the leather on the driver's seat doesn't look so good. I didn't do the test drive today (I was too tired). I'll be test driving it again on Monday and if my inspector okays it, I'll take it. If not, I'll look at the 1989 Volvo 740 turbo with manual transmission and have my inspector check that one out. It's one third the price of the 850.



It's my regular garage, Swedish Auto, that is selling these cars. They are from customers and they have done most of the maintenance on them.
 
Sorry to hear about your loss, I also lost a silver 850 two years ago...Great cars, I still own a dark grey metallic 850...What amazed though was how well it was able to absorb the impact...If you have the money maybe try finding a 850R, a true sleeper!:bow
 
Taxlady- Gee, that was some hit your car took! I can understand why it got a write-off.



When shopping for 850s, check them out in wet, humid conditions. My father had an 850 wagon (leather interior) for a while, and whenever it was damp the car smelled like onions! It was enough to eventually force disposal of the vehicle, no one could stand riding in it. I did a little research and found that some other 850 owners had the same problem. Also check that the brakes have a firm pedal all the time (this is NOT a simple, "just bleed them" issue, it's something weird).
 
Accumulator, thanks for the tips on 850s. I never had any of those problems with Knud, but that was probably the luck of the draw ;)



That reminds me, I should check out the Brickboard. I haven't been there in a while.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top