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Bad accident, need advice

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by novadesigns, Dec 17, 2010.

  1. Dec 17, 2010 at 3:54 PM
    #1
    novadesigns

    novadesigns [OP] Well-Known Member

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    mini antenna... I'm getting to it! Sheesh!
    So, Tuesday morning I was rear-ended in my Tacoma TRD Sport on the highway while I was stopped in rush hour traffic. I watched the woman behind me accelerate until she hit me. I never saw the tell tale nose dive of braking... I'm estimating she hit me at about 50mph or greater. I hit the person in front of me and so on... 4 cars in total. My insurance company just called to total my year-old beautiful truck.

    So now I'm looking at having to hire a lawyer to make sure I get a new truck with no out of pocket to me.

    I hate suing people, and I despise personal injury lawyers... but this crazy woman had been driving recklessly and aggressively for a couple of miles before she finally ram-rodded me... So, I might need one, but I don't want to get screwed.

    Can anyone here help a guy out with a recommendation in the Glendale/Los Angeles area?

    Here are some pics of my poor deceased Tacoma. RIP...

    And before anyone says it. No, it won't buff out. :(


    At the accident scene...
    [​IMG]

    The car that hit me going 55mph or higher...
    [​IMG][​IMG]


    More from the body shop where it was totaled...
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Dec 17, 2010 at 3:57 PM
    #2
    Hogzilla

    Hogzilla Well-Known Member

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    Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive...
     
  3. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:01 PM
    #3
    Nick54

    Nick54 Well-Known Member

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    Oh Man - I feelin sick, I just can't look anymore, my sincere sympathy. I gotta go I think I'm gonna barffffff
     
  4. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:01 PM
    #4
    Nick Sells

    Nick Sells Well-Known Member

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    Are you sure it won't buff out sorry couldn't resist that sucks I hope everything works out for you I'm sure it will it wasn't your fault you will be back bigger and stronger with any luck you'll get some extra money for mods.:D
     
  5. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:02 PM
    #5
    RZRob

    RZRob Well-Known Member

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    I'll give you $20 for the hood :D.

    Another $20 says she was on her cellphone at the time (easily provable).

    Can't recommend an attorney, but the ones with the biggest ads win the most cases. And yours is pretty much a sure thing unless she was uninsured (a real possibility).

    RZ Rob
     
  6. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:02 PM
    #6
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    You should have hit the matrix harder and taken out that sticker on the back window...stupid Libs.

    Most insurance companies will make you whole and give you a decent amount. They will give you fair market value for your vehicle. I.e what it would cost you to go buy the exact same vehicle (mileage, year, trim, model, etc.) Unless you are severely upside down, I think you will be ok.

    Are you prepared to drag this lawsuit out for years and years? If the insurance company settles and it is somewhat reasonable, I would take it. I had a buddy who tried to get more money and should have settled, I think it was about 5 years before he saw a penny.

    obviously she is at fault. is there anyone else who can attest to her aggressive driving?
     
  7. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:04 PM
    #7
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

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    Just remember, your lawyer's going to take 25 to 33% off the top - assuming contingency basis billing - unless you pay her hourly which will be around 250/hr or so.

    And any medical you recover needs to go back to your medical insurance co,

    money collected for time off from work goes back to your employer (assuming you collected sick time while out)

    etc...

    sucks.
     
  8. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:14 PM
    #8
    Trap

    Trap Well-Known Member

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    Nice tailgate lock ! Never though of that idea. Nobody is going to steal that sucker now.
     
  9. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:15 PM
    #9
    novadesigns

    novadesigns [OP] Well-Known Member

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    mini antenna... I'm getting to it! Sheesh!
    Thanks guys, just so y'all know I'm dealing with my insurance right now. I have yet to hear from hers. Fortunately for all of us, she was insured. A company car and all that.

    I would rather not sue, but I will if they make it necessary to get what's right and fair. If I can get that without a lawyer, than I am all for it. I just want to be prepared in case she contests it somehow. Although, the CHP officer said he's 100% that she's at fault. I mean we were all stopped when she hit me.

    Oh, and FWIW the Matrix was driven by a very nice coworker of mine who was hurting pretty badly afterwards. I feel terrible, even though it wasn't my fault.


    Oh, also I bought this Tacoma at Longo Toyota... it was an average experience, certainly not the best I've had. Anyone have a favorite dealer around L.A.?
     
  10. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:17 PM
    #10
    lookylookitzadam

    lookylookitzadam Retrofit Club!

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    check out handelonthelaw.com
     
  11. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:17 PM
    #11
    ccoorreeyy

    ccoorreeyy www.EvolvedFinance.com

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    Before you hire a lawyer, I would wait for some settlement. Try to negotiate on your own.

    I know of a great lawyer in LA if you need one. PM me if things get bad and you find yourself in need.

    Right now, the best thing you can do is document everything (i.e. conversations, photos, what happened, etc...) The more documentation, the better.

    It looks like you were moving something. Make sure you get reimbursed for that.

    Lastly, if you're mentally and/or physically in pain, DON'T hesitate to see a doctor. It sounds like you already did. In addition, if you need to see a specialist, try and get a recommendation from your regular doctor. Insurance companies tend to frown upon chiropractors, psychiatrist, etc.. without a recommendation.

    And just remember, shit happens. All you can do is deal with it and move on.

    Good luck, man.
     
  12. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:18 PM
    #12
    Trever1t

    Trever1t Well-Known Member

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    same thing happened to me a few years ago....

    Look, don't screw around. Make sure you go to a doctor. See a Chiropractor. Screw her.

    I say this because I have been hit by 3 cars in my lifetime, once had to be revived after 'dying' on the operating table. She desrves no mercy from you and maybe, just maybe she'll suffer enough to not do something like that again.


    The insurance company is out to pay the least. I do recommend hiring a lawyer, as much as I hate them. You do know you are accountable for the damage to the car in front of you, even though she shoved you? Get a lawyer.

    I can't stress this enough...you feel fine? How will this make you feel in 20 years?
     
  13. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:21 PM
    #13
    ccoorreeyy

    ccoorreeyy www.EvolvedFinance.com

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    Santa Monica Toyota is where I got mine. I highly recommend that dealership. I'm a little biased because my family works there. :D
     
  14. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:24 PM
    #14
    jdtemple

    jdtemple Well-Known Member

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    First off, don't post any more info about your injuries or financial loss. Internet is public, and can be used against you.

    Sucks about your truck, at least your still able to walk! And if you have to plead your case, don't tell them you can't do something. Only tell them your in pain or uncomfortable when doing (insert activity here).

    A private investigator can't prove how much pain you are in, but they can catch you doing something you said you could not do.
     
  15. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:24 PM
    #15
    ccoorreeyy

    ccoorreeyy www.EvolvedFinance.com

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    How do you figure? He was stopped and squished.

    I would recommend that you obtain the police report (or even call them) to ensure that the report includes the fact that he was stopped and the momentum of the vehicle that hit him forced him into the Matrix; it's clearly not his fault.
     
  16. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:27 PM
    #16
    vpcustoms

    vpcustoms Well-Known Member

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    Dude that sucks! Don't go into this trying to be a nice guy, you know what they say nice guys finish last right? Make sure you don't get screwed on this. You cant go back and re-do it once its done. Make sure you post a pic when you get your new Taco! Good luck.
     
  17. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:32 PM
    #17
    Whitfield

    Whitfield Well-Known Member

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    WoW!!!! That truck saved your life ~ awesome

    Becareful ~ You will hurt much worse the 2nd week.

    delete your previous post ~ generally it is 10x easier to collect on the medical then the property. Generally it will take both to make you whole.

    25% - 35% sounds correct.

    $$$ recovery on medical is usually yours to keep tax free.

    $$$ from lost work time is yours too.

    Generally you have 3 yrs from accident for medial stuff to appear but you need to get with a Dr and Lawyer it is important that everyone involved on your behalf has good lines of comunication.
     
  18. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:37 PM
    #18
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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    have two options with the insurance:

    go thru her insurance-
    they should provide you a rental till you get paid for your truck replacement. Pay for your totalled truck, what was in the back, these are you property damages and should be able to settle in weeks.
    Handle the medical seperatly, do not rush. Insure you see any necessary doctors untill you are sure you are ok. this may take months to be sure you are ok. then you be looking for them to pay any medical out of pocket, and a pain and suffering settlement depending on your injuries.

    you can also go through your insurance company-
    you will still have to pay your deductable up front, but should get it back after your insurance company get payments from them. you wont get a rental unless its par of your policy. If your insurance company totals the truck, they will handle that part of it. not exactly sure how you would handle the medical bills with your insurance company.

    Hopefully you can do this without a lawyer, she will be 100% at fault so you do not need to prove liability. hopefully she has a good insurance company that wont jerk you around
     
  19. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:41 PM
    #19
    skistoy

    skistoy Make mine a Double!

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  20. Dec 17, 2010 at 4:42 PM
    #20
    rhodehard09

    rhodehard09 sometimes nonsense is the only sense someone has

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    it really depends on the speed that she was going when she hit you as to if you will be held resposible for the damge to the car in front of you.

    do not give her insurance company a recorded statement.
    demand they settle the matter before you obtain an attorney(this statement alone will usually get them shaking)
    also demand they compensate you for lost wages, any medical bills(including copays and perscriptions), rental vehicle, and any other expenses incurred because of the accident.

    be sure to use "your client was at fault" alot in any conversation with her ins. co.


    bottom line she is responsible for the accident. she(her insurance) should have to pay.

    if things dont get resolved in a few days, call an ambulance chaser lawyer and they will make it happen. sorry i dont know any in your area.
     

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