Perks' first car wreck and now I have a question

Perks · Jul 13, 2012

So, the day before yesterday, my car got T-boned while I was turning into a doctor's office. My first real car accident. Everyone's fine, more or less. The accident was not my fault and the other driver was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

The crazy part is the guy who hit me. Specifically, his birthday. Dude was born in June ---- of 1914. Yep. That's right. My nemesis-on-wheels was potty trained when my grandmother was born. The guy was learning to read when WWI started. (ETA: Nope. I was thinking 1918, but that's when the war ended.) He's twenty-three months from being 100 years old.

Anyway, my question for the drivers among you who have been in accidents is this: my insurance says I can go through them, get the repair in the works, pay my deductible, and then they'll get it all from the other guy's insurance and pay me back, or I can just go all through his insurance.

I can't seem to tell if there's an advantage one way or the other. I mean, not a monetary advantage - I just want my car fixed and as quickly as possible.

Any thoughts?

Silent Rob · Jul 13, 2012

I'm not sure how is works with insurance in Americaland, but I'm glad nobody was hurt!

Maybe if they take that guy's car away he'll live to celebrate his 100th birthday!

cray · Jul 13, 2012

go through his insurance.

Snowstorm · Jul 13, 2012

I agree with cray. I don't know if you insurance would increase because of the accident--even though it wasn't your fault. Plus, with the other driver's age, that might trigger "something" that maybe this man shouldn't be driving anymore.

I'm just glad you and he are okay. Best of luck.

Perks · Jul 13, 2012

Hmmm. Okay. That makes sense.

Shadow_Ferret · Jul 13, 2012

Make his insurance pay. Especially if it's American Family. Really stick it to them.

stormie · Jul 13, 2012

Definitely go through his insurance since it's his fault. You shouldn't even be paying the deductible, from what I remember. My son was rear-ended (she was going 40 mph and he was stopped) and the other party's insurance covered the entire $9,000 bill. I didn't pay a dime. As for repairs, it doesn't matter who pays when it comes to whether it's quicker or not. His insurance claim adjuster will get out there as fast as yours would and pay the repair shop.

Mr Flibble · Jul 13, 2012

If insurance works the same there as is does here, what they said. Glad you're all okay though - really shakes you up a bit, don't it?

PS: Perks can't add up. Or that man was very precocious.

Perks · Jul 13, 2012

IdiotsRUs said:
PS: Perks can't add up.

What did I miss?

Mr Flibble · Jul 13, 2012

He was born on June 1914

WWI started a month later.

That's some quick learning to read.

stormie · Jul 13, 2012

Perks said:
What did I miss?

I'm not that great at math, but you seem to have it right. Not sure.

(ETA: Got it now.)

Anyway, just want to add that I'm glad you're okay. :Hug2:

Perks · Jul 13, 2012

IdiotsRUs said:
He was born on June 1914

WWI started a month later.

That's some quick learning to read.

Lol! I was thinking 1918. I wonder why I thought that?

stormie · Jul 13, 2012

Perks said:
Lol! I was thinking 1918. I wonder why I thought that?

The Great Flu epidemic?!

Jersey Chick · Jul 13, 2012

His insurance, definitely.

ETA - WWI ended in 1918. 11/11/18, to be exact.

Mr Flibble · Jul 13, 2012

*snicker*

And there was me thinking 'My word, them 'Merkins really start 'em young!'

Perks · Jul 13, 2012

stormie said:
The Great Flu epidemic?!

Maybe that's what I was thinking.

Mr Flibble · Jul 13, 2012

/random anecdote

My grandfather made it through the Somme, came home in one piece...to discover his wife and two daughters had died of the flu.

regdog · Jul 13, 2012

Glad everyone is okay

backslashbaby · Jul 13, 2012

I'm so glad you all are OK, Perks

I met a lady at a family reunion who was getting her driver's license at 99! She was crazy healthy and sharp and youthful. I pinned her down and took notes

She was the life of the party, seriously.

That said, maybe that dude doesn't need to be driving at 100

Your accident may have saved his life!

rhymegirl · Jul 13, 2012

What does T-boned mean? I've never heard that before.

WildScribe · Jul 13, 2012

rhymegirl said:
What does T-boned mean? I've never heard that before.

It means the front of his car smashed into the side of hers, forming a T shape (as opposed to hitting from behind or sideswiping or hitting head on.)

Fenika · Jul 13, 2012

Glad you're okay, Perks

Shakesbear · Jul 13, 2012

Glad you are OK Perks.

Silver King · Jul 14, 2012

As others have mentioned, deal with the other driver's insurance, not yours. Also, be sure to tell them you'll need a rental car, at their expense, during the time yours is being repaired. They won't offer one unless you ask for it.

If the damage is heavy enough, especially if the frame has been compromised beyond repair, the car will end up being declared a total loss.

One other thing: Keep detailed, written records of all your dealings with the insurance company until the case is resolved; and stay on their ass so you don't get placed at the back of the line with claimants who don't seem to mind waiting an eternity to get relief that should be dispensed in a timely manner.

Perks · Jul 14, 2012

Yeah, the claims adjuster hasn't called me back yet. I'll get after him again on Monday, because that's not going to fly.

It's not great that I'm in the middle of a house-move this coming week. Grrrr.

And the car's not a total loss, thank goodness. I love this car. It's just the driver's door and the quarter panel adjacent. *sigh*

Perks' first car wreck and now I have a question

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Riff-Raff

Superior Life form

Baby plot bunneh sniffs out a clue

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Court Jester

storm central

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

delicate #!&@*#! flower

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

storm central

delicate #!&@*#! flower

storm central

Up all night to get Loki

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

delicate #!&@*#! flower

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

The Scavengers

~~~~*~~~~

It's a New Year!

Slave to the Wordcount

knows a hawk from a handsaw

Megalops Erectus

delicate #!&@*#! flower

*