I got t-boned in an intersection. I've never been in such a situation and have no idea what to expect. This was a pretty terrifying experience! Luckily I wasn't hurt nor was the other driver.

I found it slightly amusing and nothing short of miraculous that my phone which had been sitting on my center console, was ejected from my car by the impact and landed in the middle of a busy downtown LA intersection, and didn't get run over, cracked or even scratched for that matter.

Anyway, the car has 227K miles on it on it. The windshield was cracked in quite a few places. Airbags did not deploy. I attached a photo to show the damage, which was limited to the passenger side.

I'm trying to figure out how much money I could reasonably expect, if anything, if they decide to total my car. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance.

 

No idea, but I would guess maybe $2K, unfortunately. Good that you are OK.

 

LOL at "If they decide to total my car". It's toast. Glad you are ok though! Hard to say what they are going to offer you. The same car is CA could be worth something very different in NY or say TX. Depends on where you live. If LA means Los Angeles, CA, then I would say they are going to offer you between $1,500 to $2,000 only because used car prices are up, assuming your car is in good condition and a GLE trim level.

 

definitely totalled but better the car than you.. glad youre safe and that's one hell of a phone!
hopefully they give you something decent and you can buy another 4gth gen

 

Go see a dr. to make sure you are ok. Then let them know you are seeing a doctor to make sure you are ok. Then send them the bill. Once they realize you are not trying to milk them with some scam artist insurance mill lawyer they will more than likely give you more than just what the car was worth. You could also go the lawyer route.

 

Phone was probably a Nokia 3310, damn phones are nearly indestructible. LOLLL

 

Don't sign anything until you're happy with it, but it won't be a lot. Two years ago some idiot plowed into our car stopped at a red light, sandwiching it between two full size SUV's. This '94 Acura Legend with around 160k had been my grandmother's car until she couldn't drive anymore. After sitting for a couple years I went through and fixed every little thing on the car until it was in tip-top shape. Then in an instant it was gone. Their insurance gave us $3,500 for the car which currently has a KBB private party value of $1,600 - $2,900.

 

Yep, you were right, it's toast. Just got back from the collision shop and they said it's a goner. It is in fact a GLE trim level. The car was in pretty decent condition considering the age no major dents or scratches. 227k miles on it.

 

I just finished speaking with my claims adjuster and they offered me $3,000 for the car. I'm stoked because I only paid $900 for it! I'm presenting this information so anybody finding themselves in a similar situation in the future can have a reasonable idea what to expect.

That said my next car is going to be a Toyota Corolla that my buddy who owns a towing company is selling me for cheap, so here is the point where I bid the Maxima forums farewell. At least until and unless I get another Maxima in the future!

 

Used cars are up 30% compared to last year. You made out like a bandit. Take the money and run to the bank as fast as you can.

Might I suggest you stick with midsize or a large car for safety reasons. Corollas are wonderful reliable cars, but too small IMO and fold up like accordions.

 

I had a Nissan Altima years ago that was totaled with 140,000 miles on it. My experience with insurance companies is that everything is negotiable….if done in good faith. They offered me $3000 but I spoke to them about my hot rod having lots of upgrades. They asked me for receipts which I did have. Finally offer was $6000. So 2x what they initially offered.

 

I would have wanted $10,000 lol (pain and suffering)

I’m always bummed when people say they weren’t hurt. When a 2,000 pound hunk of metal comes hurling at you, best believe your ligaments and muscles are taking a beating. Especially if your phone flies out the vehicle. That’s why crash dummies are used in crash tests. That’s not staged. That’s how your body is also flailing around in an accident.

Even if you don’t feel hurt, the pain can come later. Plus there’s the mental and emotional trauma involved that can linger for years. I’ve been thru like 2 major accidents: one was at bone similar to yours in a 96 Camry years ago. $2,000 in damage and got nothing because the idiot had crap insurance AND it was hit and run so couldn’t prove the driver.

Fortunately and unfortunately that same vehicle was in another wreck a couple or so years later (and literally right after I got a new Denso compressor and had the frame and door straightened for a little over $600). Totally totaled after being bumped by a semi into the median at 70 mph. That time, I got an attorney. $3,000 for the vehicle and a year later settled for $22,000 (which only gave me $8,000 after medical and attorneys fees).

That said: sometimes the attorney route is best if the insurance company is refusing to pay or not paying much at all or any type of commercial vehicle involved. But if it’s just a cut and dry accident and you don’t want to spend too much time pursuing it, take the offer and trade up. Because attorneys tend to drag cases out for months.

But this story helps me sober up and be a better driver lol. I been catching myself road raging a bit due to the stupid drivers in Missouri and the stupid 2 lane interstates here where people either want to pass on the right, or want to hold up the left passing lane for miles...There’s been 2 times I’ve almost wanted to run their *** off the road just so I can beat the living **** out of them lol. But accidents are no fun (and I’ve never caused one in 15 years of driving all over the country). The downtime, the police reports, the insurance... it’s not worth it.

 

Thank GOD the phone is ok