First Scratch? Hah!

[asperities]

Well, a drunk took out my Dakota and new Fusion Hybrid last night. Hit my neighbor's Accord which was crushed against my Dakota, which in turn took out the rear of the Fusion. This should be interesting. I can't see Progressive (his insurance) wanting to total a brand new 33k Fusion, but I can't see the repairs being quick or cheap either. I can insist all work be done at Ford, and they will have to pay for a car for the months involved. Then, of course, I can try a claim for diminished value based on the loss of value due to the police report and carfax...

 

The Dakota is toast. Going to be interesting valuing a 10 year old Dakota with 42k miles.

 

I enjoyed it while I had it.

[Oman]

I take it the drunk was caught? There is always the possibility (depending on your state) of civil litigation against the drunk for the time and loss of value. Small claims is cheap, easy, and a great way to help get the point across. Keep track of every second you spend dealing with cops, shops, etc.

 

Jon

 

 

Well, a drunk took out my Dakota and new Fusion Hybrid last night. Hit my neighbor's Accord which was crushed against my Dakota, which in turn took out the rear of the Fusion. This should be interesting. I can't see Progressive (his insurance) wanting to total a brand new 33k Fusion, but I can't see the repairs being quick or cheap either. I can insist all work be done at Ford, and they will have to pay for a car for the months involved. Then, of course, I can try a claim for diminished value based on the loss of value due to the police report and carfax...

 

The Dakota is toast. Going to be interesting valuing a 10 year old Dakota with 42k miles.

 

I enjoyed it while I had it.

[asperities]

Yes, he spent the night courtesy of Fairfax Police. I suspect he will be close enough to judgment proof after this. VA requires uninsured/underinsured coverage. His company will likely wipe their hands of the whole thing, go the limit and let us divvy it up. Our own insurance companies will have to make up the difference. Ultimately, most of our bills will be covered -- the towing alone will approach 750 (police contract calls for 300 per vehicle, and now I'll have the car towed back to Ford so that we all can benefit from having a tech around for the adjuster.

 

 

I take it the drunk was caught? There is always the possibility (depending on your state) of civil litigation against the drunk for the time and loss of value. Small claims is cheap, easy, and a great way to help get the point across. Keep track of every second you spend dealing with cops, shops, etc.

 

Jon

[M.R.]

Well, a drunk took out my Dakota and new Fusion Hybrid last night. Hit my neighbor's Accord which was crushed against my Dakota, which in turn took out the rear of the Fusion. This should be interesting. I can't see Progressive (his insurance) wanting to total a brand new 33k Fusion, but I can't see the repairs being quick or cheap either. I can insist all work be done at Ford, and they will have to pay for a car for the months involved. Then, of course, I can try a claim for diminished value based on the loss of value due to the police report and carfax...

 

The Dakota is toast. Going to be interesting valuing a 10 year old Dakota with 42k miles.

 

I enjoyed it while I had it.

 

Ouch, that was painful to read!!! Not just the pain of your new car being crushed, but the headache of dealing with it all.

If they total the ffh and you buy another one, I guess you can get a tax credit for each ffh right?

I don't know what to say, but good luck to you.

[WPWoodJr]

Wow, that really sucks! :heartbreaker:

[asperities]

Thanks. No one got hurt, just an inconvenience. At this point it is all noise and money. Luckily I retired (this was a retirement gift), so I do have the time to deal with it.

 

 

 

Ouch, that was painful to read!!! Not just the pain of your new car being crushed, but the headache of dealing with it all.

If they total the ffh and you buy another one, I guess you can get a tax credit for each ffh right?

I don't know what to say, but good luck to you.

[M.R.]

Any progress yet with insurance, etc?

[asperities]

S0rry for the late reply --

 

Allstate (my insurance company) has been grudging in handling the claim. The car suffered no mechanical damage, all body work -- at least so far. Got it back two weeks ago, generally looking good but needing a few more days in the body shop, overspray, fitments, BLIS is reversed, and the assorted punch list sort of things. Over 9,000 of rear end body work, but it was my truck that hit the car, so all the damage was high. Personally I'm shocked, but the car was repaired at a Ford related shop and blessed by my Ford dealership.

 

 

Any progress yet with insurance, etc?