Well, this sucks...
11-27-2016, 01:48 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Push for totaling. This car may be fixed, but it will never be the same. We fought this battle years ago when a Suburban ran a red light and turned my wife and I upside down in her truck. The insurance company said it was repairable. It was towed to the dealer on January 7, and was finally ready on June 17. During that interim, the frame was straightened three times, the windows were shot out by punks on a rainy Saturday night, and when the dealer sent someone to bring the truck back into the shop, it was full of water to the door sills. The interior had to be replaced. Initially, only part of the truck was going to be repainted. It actually ended up being totally painted three times. The huge very special panel stripes kit cost $675 bucks, and it took three sets before they got the stripes on straight. Even then, they put on the wrong color stripes, but we didn't bother to make them do it a fourth time. When we finally picked the finished truck up, it was getting dark and foggy, and we turned on the fog lights. There was a flash and fire radiated from under the hood. The cable to the fog lights had melted onto the adjacent metal.
As I said, push for having the car totaled.
As I said, push for having the car totaled.
11-27-2016, 05:38 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Burlington, NJ
Posts: 76
Thanks everyone.
I still haven't gotten the accident report, we are all very sore.
The car was 1 year old on 11/14.
I assume State Farm will replace with a new since its age, if they total it, we'll find out soon.
The air bags DID NOT go off. Is that something I need to talk to Nissan about?
I have no idea yet on how fast the other guy was going , i'm guessing 40 or 50?
I was fully stopped in traffic when we got hit, cant believe I didn't hit someone in front of me. His airbag did go off. We got a few pics of his car (Kia).
I still haven't gotten the accident report, we are all very sore.
The car was 1 year old on 11/14.
I assume State Farm will replace with a new since its age, if they total it, we'll find out soon.
The air bags DID NOT go off. Is that something I need to talk to Nissan about?
I have no idea yet on how fast the other guy was going , i'm guessing 40 or 50?
I was fully stopped in traffic when we got hit, cant believe I didn't hit someone in front of me. His airbag did go off. We got a few pics of his car (Kia).
11-27-2016, 07:35 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,871
From what I can see, your cars "crush" zone worked as intended and very impressively to say the least. Did your seat backs break to the downward position? Lots of talk about people in the back seat being injured in most brands of cars these days from the front seat backs breaking. I believe the air bags would not fire in this type of accident. You would have had to be hit from the side or the front for them to go off. I am pleased you are doing better and that there are no serious injuries. Keep us posted on State Farms treatment for the car replacement. This car would never be "right" even if repaired. Too many variables like how the drive train survived and later accident indued failures down the road.
Last edited by robtroxel; 11-27-2016 at 06:36 PM.
11-27-2016, 07:45 AM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Burlington, NJ
Posts: 76
I haven't seen the car yet, the accident happened at night. The back seats may have started to open as you would put them down, but with the kids back there they didn't come down fully. I'll get some more daytime pics when I get to see it.
11-28-2016, 04:44 AM
#11
Thanks everyone.
I still haven't gotten the accident report, we are all very sore.
The car was 1 year old on 11/14.
I assume State Farm will replace with a new since its age, if they total it, we'll find out soon.
The air bags DID NOT go off. Is that something I need to talk to Nissan about?
I have no idea yet on how fast the other guy was going , i'm guessing 40 or 50?
I was fully stopped in traffic when we got hit, cant believe I didn't hit someone in front of me. His airbag did go off. We got a few pics of his car (Kia).
I still haven't gotten the accident report, we are all very sore.
The car was 1 year old on 11/14.
I assume State Farm will replace with a new since its age, if they total it, we'll find out soon.
The air bags DID NOT go off. Is that something I need to talk to Nissan about?
I have no idea yet on how fast the other guy was going , i'm guessing 40 or 50?
I was fully stopped in traffic when we got hit, cant believe I didn't hit someone in front of me. His airbag did go off. We got a few pics of his car (Kia).
glad you are ok typing this, they way you got hit makes me wonder if the guy was distracted on the phone
11-28-2016, 12:30 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 298
I had a 2013 altima rear ended like that a few years back, it was awful. originally they said they were going to fix it which would of been awful... but after the long repair date and rental car charges they were going to have to pay for put it over the edge and they changed their mind and totaled it.. I really hope they total the car because it really will never be the same!
11-28-2016, 02:20 PM
#15
Wow. (The Good, the Bad, and the Funny)
It's good to see you and the family are ok.
It's bad that people cannot drive properly.
It's funny how the taillights symmetrically stick out like that.
It's good to see you and the family are ok.
It's bad that people cannot drive properly.
It's funny how the taillights symmetrically stick out like that.
11-28-2016, 04:29 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BC CANADA
Posts: 315
Just thinking what the result would have been if your trunk was full. The Maxima seems to have performed very well in the collision as far as keeping the occupants relatively safe. Wishing you and your family well.
11-29-2016, 12:25 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Since the other driver was at fault, and you mentioned State Farm, I am assuming the driver charged with the accident is the person with state Farm insurance.
I have been insured by State Farm since April 1958 (switched from Safeco to State Farm at that time), and they have always treated me well. I also have homeowners insurance and an Umbrella policy with them. We had a serious hail storm back in 2010, and they forked out $18,500 for a new roof with no haggling. I have not had to deal with them on auto repairs because the other driver was charged in the accidents I have been involved in so far, and I was not always happy in dealing with those folk's insurance companies (none were State Farm). Just be very polite, but persistent and firm about what you expect.
Those posting here that the airbags should not have gone off are correct. Frontal and side collisions will trigger the bags, but rear end hits, unless at an oblique angle, will not usually trigger the bags. Keep us informed with developments.
I have been insured by State Farm since April 1958 (switched from Safeco to State Farm at that time), and they have always treated me well. I also have homeowners insurance and an Umbrella policy with them. We had a serious hail storm back in 2010, and they forked out $18,500 for a new roof with no haggling. I have not had to deal with them on auto repairs because the other driver was charged in the accidents I have been involved in so far, and I was not always happy in dealing with those folk's insurance companies (none were State Farm). Just be very polite, but persistent and firm about what you expect.
Those posting here that the airbags should not have gone off are correct. Frontal and side collisions will trigger the bags, but rear end hits, unless at an oblique angle, will not usually trigger the bags. Keep us informed with developments.
11-29-2016, 04:04 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
It's remarkable how well the trunk compartment took all the energy out of the hit...with just a guess, I'd put this at a 35-40 mph hit if you were standing still...hell it looks like the rear wheels will still roll! Gas tank is probably wrecked or disconnected in some way so it likely didn't run...but it sure looks like it could still roll!
That said, unless structural issues are present, they won't total it. Probably at least 12-15k in repairs...which is well below the value of the car, still at least $28k blue book if not more.
That said, unless structural issues are present, they won't total it. Probably at least 12-15k in repairs...which is well below the value of the car, still at least $28k blue book if not more.
11-29-2016, 10:53 AM
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Burlington, NJ
Posts: 76
I have State Farm, they are helping tremendously.
He has Progressive, they claimed 100% fault, and are trying to get me to accept a small compensation payment.
Uh, no....
Am still waiting to hear from the repair facility.
He has Progressive, they claimed 100% fault, and are trying to get me to accept a small compensation payment.
Uh, no....
Am still waiting to hear from the repair facility.
11-29-2016, 05:31 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Posts: 125
Yeah, get a lawyer if you don't already have one (I did...they handle things in a way you simply cannot). Thank G_d you're OK; quite a testament to the design of the Maxima. Good luck...
12-05-2016, 03:33 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Talk to the insurance company agent and/or estimator. Tell them this is a fairly new car, was in perfect condition, that you will not accept any replacement parts other than genuine Nissan parts, and any subsequent problems traceable to this accident must be fixed at the insurance company's expense. Supposedly, this info has no bearing on the issue, but if the insurance company finds out ahead of time that you will be a very demanding customer, they sometimes decide they have some leeway on estimates. Depends on the insurance company, the estimator involved, the insurance company rep who is processing the claim, etc.
And when you take the car to the repair shop of your choice (Check around and find the best one in your area. You do have the right to choose), emphasize that you expect the car to be put back in exactly the condition it was before the wreck, and if they are not sure they can do that for the amount the insurance company offers, they should put that in writing, explaining why, and you can show that to the insurance company.
Yes, all this may be a waste of effort, but you need to do everything you possibly can to get the best result you can. It is extremely important that when you pick up the repaired car, do not sign anything that gives up your right to have additional problems from this accident that may not have been spotted by the estimator repaired at the insurance company's cost. Additionally, do not sign anything that gives up your right to have anything improperly repaired or overlooked by the repair shop fixed at no cost to you.
Last edited by lightonthehill; 12-05-2016 at 03:35 PM.
12-05-2016, 04:01 PM
#24
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
12-05-2016, 08:06 PM
#25
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Manhattan Beach, Ca / Dallas, Tx
Posts: 3,751
You should get a total if not complain like "H" as you are probably near the industry average of 70-75% of ACV at 23k worth of damage. Like Light said it will never be the same, it will make weird noises at certain times/times of the year etc etc.
12-06-2016, 05:40 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
12-06-2016, 05:46 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,132
Something you'll want to look into is diminished value claim. Some states that's another additional. Only the at fault insurance can pay that to you, can't come from your's and be subrogated. But if the diminished value (meaning you'll never get what this car is worth at tradin, so they compensate you for the loss) is say $3-$5000, that edges you up to that total loss point. So what you do is negotiate with the at fault, they will pay for the repairs and likely the DV, so it might be in their best interest to pay you for the total loss, then they have the car for salvage, they can make money back on this loss, instead of forking out $28000 for nothing. A lawyer may be needed, but you'd be surprised what you can get if you tell them these black and white numbers, it will make serious sense to them, they may take that offer right away.
