ClemsonJeeper

Bought it new about a year and a half ago.

2 days before Christmas, I was making a left on a green arrow and some lady decided to blow through her red light and plow right into the passenger side front wheel and spin me around. Her car ended up sliding down the full right side of my car as well. Luckily everyone was safe and although she first tried to blame me for running a red light, a good samaritan stopped who saw the whole thing. She ended up being charged with running the red light.

It's been at the body shop since Monday going through a full tear down to see how much damage was done to it.

Just wanted to let you all share my misery of being AMGless.

jvanbrecht

Make sure that you sue for diminished value. Your car will never be the same, and will most likely drive weird, especially if there was any frame damage. Hopefully they write it off if that is the case. Either way, dump the car and get a new one.

C63-AMG

Ouch. Glad everyone is OK. Widebody conversion now?

Guilty

I would sue for dimished value, fix the car, and sell it (or trade-it in) right away before the carfax gets dirty.

There is no way I'd keep a car that has been hit like that. Most importantly, glad you're safe and screw that biatch, especially after she tried to blame you for it!

ClemsonJeeper

Any tips on the diminished value claim? Is this something you sue for? Or just tell the insurance company you are claiming it?

Honestly, I'm hoping they total it, although I'd be taking a pretty big hit on the depreciation. I paid 85k for it or so in 2012, Kbb in excellent condition is ~60k right now.

Any tips of getting the least boned in this situation would be appreciated.

jrcart

Unfortunately you will have to sue for it. The insurance company will just repair it, they will not compensate you for the diminished value. You car will be worth less as soon as the carfax report updates. I am not one for frivilous law suits however if somebody hits one of my cars I will sue their *** off, my neck will hurt, my back will hurt my fingers and toes will hurt until they agree to pay me what my car is worth.

FYI, your name now in an insurance database and even though you were not at fault you may have to pay higher insurance premiums in the future simply for being in an accident. Don't beleive me? Call an insurance compny other than your own tomorrow and ask for a quote on your vehicles, they will ask you if you have been in an accident in the past five years whether you were at fault or not.

Good luck man, hope things work out for you as best they can.

507AMG

Meaning the law requires they pay you for the diminished value. There is a state approved formula that is used to calculate the amount. The insurance company will not mention it as they are not required to but if asked then they must pay. You need to do your own research and try and compare your vehicles (pre accident value) and then try and find the value of same car that was in similar major accident. I assure you the value difference will be in the multi thousands.

rory breaker

Totally correct on insurance becoming an issue even if not your fault, so lame.

I know its crazy, but this is part of why I prefer to lease these cars. Someone hits you and it's instantly an ongoing problem. No one will buy 2nd hand and dealers will just beat you to death on the trade. Would rather not be in the position, leasing solves that problem.

Also Guilty, pretty lame, you would flip the car before the "carfax gets dirty"? I know it's the internet and all, but I've been burned by this before and it SUCKS. No one should do this, ever, under any circumstance. Lowest of the low.

solekeeper

so what are you going to do if that happens to your car mr.baller?

Not keep it? lmao

Sidv22

sucks to see this. its pretty sad that the lady tried to pin the blame on you. i hope you will make her pay. good luck with the process.

yesh

I'm not familiar with the US insurance coverage by state, but in Canada, you can buy a replacement cost endorsement. In case of a total loss, they give you the replacement cost amount.

Guilty

Happened to me, I lived with it and learned never to buy used again.

Yes if this happened to me, that's what I will do, get it fixed asap and get rid of it. Period.

anthonymckay

Yeah, you don't have to sue for diminished value, you just have to let the insurance company know that you want to file a claim for that as well. You will also need to pay out of your pocket to have the car appraised by someone who specialises in diminished value claims. I'm going through this same thing right now, though the damage wasn't nearly as bad as yours.

mjcarlin

Ouch. Hate to see that. I cracked the front passenger side the week before Thanksgiving. Just got it back after 5 weeks in the shop. Didn't do near as much damage, but still $10K for the repair. The insurance company sent diminished value without asking. Good luck.

jvanbrecht

In the US, and it's more by bank, and not by State law, you can get GAP insurance when you get your vehicle loan. It is not something you can just buy unfortunately.

WESLEY KAY

Op, whatever you do, if you decide to sell, please do not lie about the vehicle being in an accident. That is the lowest of the low, and only the bottom scum of the earth would think of such a thing. I hope everything works out for you and I am glad you are safe. I would lawyer up if the vehicle is not totaled out. Maybe even regardless. Good luck!!

zcct04

It's highly unlikely that they'll total this - that usually happens only when the repair costs are going to be more than the car is worth, and it doesn't look like you're anywhere close.

On a brighter note - it looks like you now have a power folding mirror on the passenger side!

rory breaker

At least you're honest about being dishonest.

Bingo. If you really advocate this, especially after being burned yourself...don't know what to say. Unfathomable to be so cold and deceiving.

Also a note to folks out there - never ever ever ever ever buy used without an independent PPI performed. Some people out there have no conscience, they will screw you in a second to make a buck or help themselves. Tell the inspectors doing the PPI to look specifically for evidence of an accident (paint thickness variations, repaired underbody damage, newer hardware, etc).

AMGangster

if that is totaled, find out what the buyout is! I need a donor car for a 1965 AMC Rambler, I'm building!

KIS007

Glad to see members jumping on Guilty's concept of how to conduct one's self. His approach of, "I got screwed, so I'll screw others" is a sad commentary.

jblaw

THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!