[unxpctd]

Crudad,

Just be sure to absolutely inspect the vehicle when you pick it up...from top to bottom....look for the differences in the little gaps between the doors and quarter panels, etc. Check everything you can. When you drive it off the lot keep the radio off and listen for anything you can...that could be problematic.

I guessed it would be repaired. As far as the ticket goes...sorry Many officers/troopers are obligated by dept. policy to issue citations in crashes such as this so he may have not had a choice...so to speak. Its not right by all means...just their policy.

Good luck with the repair....vehicles can be fixed or replaced. Doing that with people is tougher.

 

[15rtblacktop]

I'm relieved your ok! A few years ago I was in a simular accident with a brand new cruze. Only had 338 miles on it and was damn near totalled. In my case, I did not receive a ticket and was able to file a diminished value claim. You may want to research a bit and see what your state allows.

 

[yillbs]

somewhat not relivant to this whatsoever.. but if they replaced the car.. would you still have a car payment? Who would you pay? Giving you a new car essentially pays off the old one?

Again, just curious if you thought about that?

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Wow Glad you are OK
I am sure your D will be better in no time.
Better to just stay home next time
STEVE

 

[klasango]

Do you have car dashcam? Perhaps that could help to fight the ticket?

 

[76Aspen]

Doesn't deployment of the airbags automatically total the vehicle in some states?

 

[FSTDANGO3]

You may be correct
In Nj I believe, all sensors must be replaced after airbag replacement and the vehicle must be re-certified by the dealer. I believe the episode is recorded in the PCM and can only be removed by the Dealer Computer.

STEVE

 

[Mirage85]

somewhat not relivant to this whatsoever.. but if they replaced the car.. would you still have a car payment? Who would you pay? Giving you a new car essentially pays off the old one?

Again, just curious if you thought about that?

You'd still have a car payment.... They aren't actually giving you a replacement car, and even if they did, now there are 2 cars that need paid off, the insurance company one, and you'd still be on the hook for the original. What's happens is the insurance is just covering the cost of the value of the wrecked one. I'm fairly certain they give you a check for the value of the vehicle. Then its up to you to pay off the loan. When it comes to the new vehicle, you're on your own again negotiating with a dealer to get one, but you do have the remainder of the insurance payout for down payment.

 

[SLAINTE06]

Gees, sorry man. That stinks, but not matter what you and the people you hit are ok also, could have been allot worse, I think you did the right thing hitting the barrier and saved others more injury. good luck with the repair work and hope you have a speedy recovery man.

 

[crudad]

You'd still have a car payment.... They are actually giving you a replacement car, and even if they did, now there are 2 cars that need paid off, the insurance company one, and you'd still be on the hood for the original. What's happens is the insurance is just covering the cost of the value of the wrecked one. I'm fairly certain they give you a check for the value of the vehicle. Then its up to you to pay off the loan. When it comes to the new vehicle, you're on your own again negotiating with a dealer to get one, but you do have the remainder of the insurance payout for down payment.

This is the way I understand it. They write you a check for what a new, similar Durango would cost and it is up to you to pay off the loan. Now, what I don't know, is do they cut you a check for what I paid or do they cut a check for the sticker price of a new vehicle? But it doesn't look like I will have to worry about that because they are likely repairing it. It is getting transferred to another shop for the official inspection and valuation so my fingers are still crossed.

 

[Mirage85]

Now, what I don't know, is do they cut you a check for what I paid or do they cut a check for the sticker price of a new vehicle?

That probably all depends on the insurance company and the plan you have with them. They'll try and get off as cheap as they can as well, so you might have to do a little arguing to get more from them.

I wouldn't worry about getting yours fixed, as long as its done by a good shop. As others have mentioned, just scrutinize it well before you drive off. I'm not sure if you mentioned it or not, but were you considered at fault? If not, then I would be asking them to cut me a check for the depreciation of the vehicle sue to it showing up on the car fax etc. If you were at fault, then you're SOL with that.

 

[imadude1134]

scary situation, but glad to hear everyone walked away. Good luck with the repairs/replacement

Glad to see that these cars can hold their own in an accident

 

[trifecta]

First and foremost, so glad to hear that you and everyone else is ok!

That being said, I'll throw in my $.02 from spending part of my career in the business.

Most importantly, understand that the repair decision only cares about 2 things. Safety and Money. If the repair can be done safely and it's economical to do so, it will be done. Economics is simply the value of the vehicle (what they'd pay for a total loss) - salvage (what they'd recover for the salvaged parts) compared to the cost of repair. Sure fees and other costs like a rental car are considered, but those are the big dollars. Be involved in the repair process and get comfortable with the body shop and what they are doing and do so completely professionally. The lifetime guarantee will absolutely be needed, a sizeable repair is NEVER perfect, so the best thing you can do is get to know them and stay involved without crossing the line of being THAT customer that they don't want to deal with.

Beyond that, understand that insurance is a state game, so every single state is different. A lot of misinformation out there, including in this thread, well-intentioned as it may be. The fact that you are at fault makes it more clear because your policy language will drive the process.

If the repair estimate grows as they get into it and a total loss comes back into play, no one is cutting you a check until the loan is paid. Insurance company will pay the bank first, they have to in order to release the lien and transfer the title. As far as "new car replacement" I'm sure there is a ton of fine print around what exactly it covers, but again, should be outlined well in the policy.

Good Luck!

 

[michaelk]

sometimes worth a shot- go to court to dispute the ticket and hope the trooper doesn't show up- that can get you off in many places.

There's many reasons the trooper might not come- a few include- you lucky out and he gets busy just before the court time on something else and cant break free, the clerk where the court is doesn't account for his schedule when they pick the date/time and he has an off day with personal plans or maybe his superior doesn't want to pay overtime, and everyone's favorite -> he forgets "by accident" and considering he didn't like giving you the ticket in the first place "accidents" happen. I know some friends who are cops and I've seen they just forget to go to court sometimes. So if you have time its worth a shot, sometimes the judge will make you come back a second (or even 3rd) time before he/she and the prosecutor give up- but since there's "no victim" here I think they would give up pretty soon.

At worst the prosecutor frequently will give you an A for effort and cut the charges down just for showing up. The few times I've been to court (on my own or with someone) it's not been uncommon for the prosecutor to announce in the hall beforehand "any one looking to plead not guilty that might want to talk to me first please form a line" where they let you discuss a 'compromise" for a lessor ticket for less points and fine. One time the judge even took a break in the middle- first he took everyone who wanted to plead guilty, then he took a recess, the prosecutor made the speech and then after the recess the prosecutor says something like "your honor in the people vs john doe we'd like to amend the charges" Just be polite and try to talk like a human to the prosecutor if given the chance something like "I understand the Troopers position but i really don't think it was my fault" and see where it takes you

A s above each state is different but can save you points on your license, maybe insurance surcharges/increase, and if you hit the jackpot getting the ticket dismissed might make the accident no longer your fault. Depends on your specifics.

 

[trifecta]

+1 on all of the above, but know that it can get really tricky with large accidents involving many different people and insurance companies. In 2 party situations where you or your insurance company is actively taking care of any damages you've caused, the above happens a lot. Heck I've even seen the person that got hit come and testify on behalf of the at-fault party to try and get them a break on fine/points...

 

[crudad]

Body shop is up to $17,000 in damages thus far so looking likely that the Durango will be fixed versus totaled.

 

[ppowell1983]

Body shop is up to $17,000 in damages thus far so looking likely that the Durango will be fixed versus totaled.

I guess that is a good thing depending on how you look at it. Did your adjuster tell you what the magic number was for totaling it? My guess 28k

 

[crudad]

I guess that is a good thing depending on how you look at it. Did your adjuster tell you what the magic number was for totaling it? My guess 28k

Still waiting for final estimate which should arrive by Monday. I was initially told ballpark of $30K so unless there is damage to the frame or significant electrical/AWD it will be fixed. They've guaranteed all OEM parts so I guess it isn't all that bad.

 

[klasango]

30k in fixes and it will not be totaled? I will be surprised.

 

[ppowell1983]

Still waiting for final estimate which should arrive by Monday. I was initially told ballpark of $30K so unless there is damage to the frame or significant electrical/AWD it will be fixed. They've guaranteed all OEM parts so I guess it isn't all that bad.

There was another gentleman on this forum that had a 2014 R/T with 14k in damage and they didn't total the vehicle.