I've had my YJ freshly repainted to look like a Jurassic Park Jeep for less than 2 months now and a trash truck tried to pull a hit and run on me. I caught them thanks to 2 witness's it looks like they will be paying for the damages. The damage is quite extensive, the drivers side panel has a massive dent in it and the rear panel the fuel cap is at is completely crushed. On top of that the gas tank is leaking fuel everywhere and my brand new (less than 4 months old) Bestop Supertop got torn up. My guess is that the under ride guard where the trash man would stand on the back of the truck went under the jeep and smashed into the gas tank. So this just proves that no matter what you do, you never can just enjoy your Jeep lol I know the pictures don't look like much but that top will now keep tearing so replacing that plus the gas tank together are worth over $800 and thats not even touching the dents or paint! Dash camera is definitely getting installed next.
Lol. Hit and run by a city truck? Sounds like the city insurance is going to pay for whatever you want.
Any city worker who runs from a collision must have a ton of priors. Because you don't just do that. It's not your money, not your problem. He should have no issue stopping and giving you the insurance card. He must already be on thin ice with his job.
Of course, it eventually gets billed to the tax payer
That SUCKS! Great looking YJ, hopefully you get it back to tip-top shape soon.
Also, not sure how St Louis works, but in northern Cali we have private owned businesses contract with the local cities for trash pickup, so it may not be a city worker who hit him. Either way, he is in a company rig so yea, its crap that he tried to hit and run unless he somehow DIDNT feel the big bang that was your YJ...
Good Luck, sounds like your on the right path, good thing he was stopped.
I'm pretty sure its a private company with a city contract? I haven't been dealing with the city at all just a the company directly and this is the first time i've ever had anything like this so I dont know much lol
Be careful, the insurance company going to look at the Bluebook value and try and total it on you. You need to decide if you want it professionally fixed or if you want a check and then fix it yourself.
One way to go is get 2 estimates from the 2 fanciest looking body shops in Clayton or West County that you can find. The insurance company will total it. Get your check for the bluebook value, buy it back from the insurance company for $50, and then learn to like the dents, fix the rest of it yourself and put the left over money in your pocket.
But I wouldn't try to battle a private company by myself when it comes to a crash. Let your insurance company handle everything. Get the estimates because the insurance company will try to tell you it is not a lot of damage. If you have different insurance companies, your insurance will probably just get them to pay. If you happen to have the same company, they will conflict of interest the **** out of you.
Also, if blue book value isn't realistic. Depending on the state rules, you may be able to go on craigslist and get real estimates on what your jeep sells for, and they are sometimes bound to that value.
Any time a commercial vehicle hits you with damages, let alone hit & run, get a good lawyer asap. I've had too many friends go through this in various states with bikes and cars/trucks.
You might be screwed by governmental immunity.
Not all states have it, Missouri does.
Regardless, they're going to drag their feet.
Anyway, gather your recent receipts, often those can be added to base value.
Get ready to file a small claim. A lawyer will cost more than the claim.
No one will help you, start doing your research.
Better get moving. In many municipalities there is a short window to file a claim. Much shorter than if it was just a neighbor.
If it's a private company, you do not have to accept the insurance offer.
You have no contract with them.
You can directly sue the owner for the value plus any recent improvements. (paint, top, tires ect)
Either way, start researching small claims and be ready to file.
Once they are served, a check will usually appear.
Well geez guys now you got me all worried. My insurance is going after them, I have 2 police verified statements about the accident, and a police report. I guess I should tell my insurance that the Jeep was just recently 'restored' as far as body goes and that I have a brand new $800 top on it. I sure hope they don't total it but I have a feeling they might. The KBB price for the Jeep is $3300~ and I don't think there is that much damage to it but you never know with today's prices. My option are thin for quotes because the Jeep is leaking gas so I can't take it far on it's own. But how do you quote body work for a jeep so old? I have a feeling i'll have a hard time finding a place to fix it professionally simply because of that and because I did the paint job myself (along with everything else on it). My issue is that if I have to do it myself I don't know how to weld and i'd want to have new panels put in because there is prior 'damage' to the rocker panel on the same panel from a rust patch when I painted it. I put new metal in using rivets but the bondo I used to fill the seams isnt looking to good anyway so whats the point in fixing a panel like that. I'd want to replace it. Thoughts?
The KBB price for the Jeep is $3300~ and I don't think there is that much damage to it but you never know with today's prices. My option are thin for quotes because the Jeep is leaking gas so I can't take it far on it's own. But how do you quote body work for a jeep so old? I have a feeling i'll have a hard time finding a place to fix it professionally simply because of that and because I did the paint job myself (along with everything else on it). M
you'll be surprised at how expensive body work is. It is BECAUSE of the insurance companies... They know they can bill them whatever they want. They'll definitely give you a quote though, so go get it quoted.
You should be OK. THEIR liability insurance will be paying for your repairs, you shouldn't need comprehensive because there were witnesses (comprehensive pays if there is no 'enemy' insurance). They will likely have more than minimum liability if it is a large business, because they have more to lose. If your insurance comes back with an unsatisfactory answer, then you get a lawyer. A lawyer will typically aim for (and be awarded) the damages or insured amount (whichever is lower). It takes a special kind of lawyer *** whooping to get the maximum of the two values. You can aim for more than their liability coverage, but judges usually won't award more than the coverage amount unless their was very clear negligence and somebody died.
Those corners (the part from the door-wrap around to the tailgate) is spot welded together. Can you use a drill?
Then you can remove the entire quarter.
They are spot welded on.
You can remove the damaged parts, order a new quarter, then rent or buy a spot welder.
Spot welders are easy to use.
If you have collision, your insurance needs to pay and they will then subrogate your claim and return your deductible when they collect. If they collect.
If you have simple liability, they won't help you.
The entire Jeep body is spot welded together and the parts are available.
Well my insurance is actually helping me even though its liability. Probably because I carry full coverage on another vehicle. They are fighting the company with me. The same day i reported it they made a call to them and have been working with me since. I'm not sure about that welding though- I have absolutely zero experience with welding lol
As for "totaling" the jeep, the insurance with call this total loss, and depending on the insurance company, they declare total loss at damage/repairs anywhere from 60%-80% of estimated value. For example, if you think you can prove your jeep can get $3300 on the open market, then they will declare it total loss at $1980-$2640 in damages. As mentioned earlier, it doesn't take long for a body shop to get to that value!
Here is where to do your homework, most states will give you a salvage title, and I've recently learned that some states will not register, or at least give you a huge hassle, a vehicle with a salvage title. One other thing to keep in mind, if it is a total loss, you can negotiate the amount the insurance company is willing to pay, however, and this is important, you can not completely reject their amount...say "I wish to negotiate the settlement". If you say "no, I will not accept that amount", they can walk away. Start pulling craigslist adds, receipts for recent upgrades, etc...any proof of higher value will be necessary. Good luck man.
In Missouri, you can get a salvage title. Then, you need to convert it into a rebuilt title to get it licensed. This is really easy for a vehicle that really isn't rebuilt (like in this case). You have to fill out a form and get it inspected by the Highway Patrol. All they are interested in is confirming that none of the major parts are stolen. Just keep your receipts, fill out the form, tell them what you did and it will be no problem. Then, of course you have to get the normal safety inspection to get it relicensed.
I agree there isn't enough money involved to get a lawyer. Worst case scenario would be to go to small claims court.
Sorry it's been a few days since my last update. So they originally said they were not taking responsibility for the damages and I should basically **** off but then once my insurance came down on them with the 2 police confirmed witness's they said they are reconsidering but I haven't heard anything since then. Tomorrow will be when I should hear whats happening next. As far as the Jeep's value go I have recently done $700 in it's new paint, $800 in it's new top, $150 in new (to me, gotta love craigslist) wheels, $150 in a new alternator, $135 in a new battery, $200 in misc. sensors, the tires probably have less than 10,000 on them even though they are 2 years old (i drive it at least once weekly and never drive it far). It's definitely not a piece of **** beater that the insurance might try to claim but it's not a fully restored vehicle either. So if I get my receipts for all of these parts will this bring it's value up? I really don't want to go through the hassle of having a salvage title on it... or a rebuilt title? I've been thinking about having it's little 4 banger rebuilt but still. What would you guys say it's worth? 135,000k on it right now all body rust has been removed and fixed, frame is mostly solid but it does have a smaller rusty area of concern (it's on the to do list).
Also is my time worth anything? I did the paint job and all the work myself. If It was done elsewhere labor would obviously be charged. Anyway to put a value on DIY work?
Your claim needs documentation. Receipts. You're filing a claim for your loss. Don't get ahead of yourself You still have the tires and they're fine, right?
You only drive up the claim if it's going to be totaled.
Do you even know what your loss is yet?
You need to find out how much it's going to cost to repair.
It may not be as expensive as you think.
Find a way to get it to a body shop. Have it towed there if you have to and add that to your claim.
With witnesses, you ARE going to win this. IF it goes to small claims, it's a slam dunk.
Document everything. People talked to, date, time ect.
Judges like documentation, witnesses, organization.
It probably won't even make it to court. They are being stupid.
They need to quit with the excuses and pay.
I know i'm getting ahead of myself i'm just preparing for the worst and thinking of anything I can to drive up it's value. No idea what the loss is yet. I wrote up a quote myself as if I was doing the work in my own garage and buying all parts from online suppliers with the new tank and top it was around $1500 without labor.
True. It needs to be estimated by a qualified adjuster (do you uninsured motorists coverage- maybe your insurance company will help you out with an adjuster establishing the claim?) and/or probably two quotes from reputable body shops that deal with insurance every day.
Didn't you ask the cops to get you their insurance company and policy coverage number???
And the issue isn't what you have into it. There is a 'book value' plus or minus dollar value of an adjuster's view of the overall condition the vehicle was in disregarding the accident damage. That is or will be a static value. It 'totals' when the insurance company views the damages are in excess of a percentage or occasionally full value of the vehicle prior to damage. Example- when my motorcycle got backed over in a parking lot, the adjuster determined repairs where in excess of some percentage of book value. Book value was determined to be $2800, damages where I think about $2150ish. They wrote me a check for $2800. I was happy with it.
Stuff you've done like tires, transmission, alternator, whatever, don't matter. Just the crash damage costs to repair to make you 'whole' to the condition before the accident. Unless you have $10,000 customer paint job you can document, even the whole vehicle paint doesn't matter. They'll fix it if determined repairs are in order to match the overall condition before the accident. They don't need to know what you did to it, what money yuh sunk into it. All they care about and all court will care is restoring it to pre-accident conditions to make you "whole."
How to potentially maximize your loss? Make it impeccably clean, no mud, no oily undercarriage, carefully vacuumed, gauges dust free, upholstery immaculate as possible, glass squeegee-cleaned. No junk trash parts tools coats scattered about, tires clean, wheels clean clean clean clean. Adjusters and estimators are human and first impressions matter. Maximizing the loss potential may either make it less total-able, or increase your check if it does total out. If it's a had-lotta-a-wrecks looking pile of rustbucket and or is a rough bedlinered interior it will be less value to the eye of the normal beholder. Bedliner may impress us must most folks think, "that's terrible looking!" Just a fact.
Get the estimates done, maybe an adjuster if you can, and add your post accident costs. Like Chris said, they're stringing you along and they will eventually just have to pay up. File the small claims suite and they'll probably be quite motivated, excited and pleased to write you a check. Contacting their insurance company might motivate them to settle as well...
This is my story of how to handle insurance companies/ at fault parties.
I was driving my MINT 300ZX when an idiot T-boned me.
Their insurance company made me a ridiculous offer. I had liability only.
I immediately refused to talk to their insurance company, went right over to the county office and filed a suit in small claims for the max allowable. It was well under a hundred including fees for personal service.
In a couple weeks the guy was served and FLIPPED the (blank) out!
The guy contacted me and told me his insurance told him I refused to deal with them. I told him they made a ridiculous offer and I was under no obligation to deal with them.
Insurance companies try to wear you down, it's how they make money.
I won't be a part of their little game and have zero patience.
He cried bloody murder to his company, they paid what I wanted plus the $900 I spent on new tires two weeks prior, I just needed to send them the bill for the tires. I dropped the suit.
As Sheriff Buford T. Justice told us, sometimes people need an "attention getter"
I crashed my Jeep a while ago front end collision, fenders, grill, radiator, hood, done for. Even crumpled the tub under the doors, the insurance company said its totaled till I started pulling receipts out. Hope you have all your receipts.
Quick update here so you guys dont think i abandoned this. They sent their truck out that supposedly hit me to compare the damages and take pictures. The damage 100% lined up from the ripped top all the way down to what hit the gas tank. The f***ers are still sticking with their claim that they didn't hit me and claim that the damage would be greater if they did. They hit me at less than 5mph so i disagree and you can take a look at this picture an see for yourself the damage is dead accurate. So my next step first thing tomorrow is to try and raise hell with their insurance and see if they will settle and if not I guess i'll be serving them with a notice for small claims court because I would like to drive my Jeep sometime within the next century. Then i'll be going to the city to see who they have contracts with and making complaints with them. These people literally are the worst and I can't believe they still haven't settled. 2 witness's + photo evidence of the damage and they still wont give it up. Anyways see for yourself:
I'm not an expert, but I've had a few times in court on accident cases. IMHO, pic #1 shows a lot of rust. Which means it probably happened in a previous accident. The other two could work in your favor.
I hope you are just venting your frustration in this thread. Until you get estimates and file a small claim,
You have "zero point zero" chance of being paid.
They have already told you to buzz-off multiple times.
1. Get two estimates in writing.
2. Find out who the owner of the company is.
3. File a small claim.
Hurry up while the "witnesses" are still cooperative.
After a while, they might not want the hassle of being involved, then it's over.
I've already got my witness's to give an official statement to the police and my insurance. My insurance is trying to convince their insurance to pay up still and I plan on getting some official quotes today.
Why isn't your insurance sending out an estimator? If they don't have any then why aren't they having it towed to a body shop to get the estimates? If this isn't happening then you need to just do it yourself and quit waiting on the trash company.
Yes, Sorry i never replied to give this closure! They FINALLY settled with me about middle of June for around $3,000 in damages. The Jeep went in for body work and paint and I had it up and running for some wheeling in July. It's so nice to finally have it back on the road.
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