Tips on dealing with insurance/repair shop after accident

Hello all:

I've been lurking on this site for some time and do a lot more reading than posting, but I'm in need of some advice.


I recently (~ 3 weeks ago) traded my 13 DC 4-cylinder pre-runner in for a 15 DC TRD Off-Road and to sweeten the deal we traded my wife's 12 Sonata for a Highlander.

Yesterday a woman rear-ended my wife (on maternity leave with our 2 month old) in her Highlander (all of 200-300 miles on it ) while stopped at a red light. The wife has some back and neck pain, baby seems good so far but considering the other car was going about 45 mph things are as good as you can ask for. Wife thinks she was texting because she was looking down and never touched the brakes.

Even though I'm mad about the new car getting hit, seeing the damage to the Highlander compared to the other car I'm so glad we traded her Sonata in because the Highlander looks to have some minor cosmetic damage and the other car took some serious damage.

I had the Highlander towed to the dealership collision center here in town where we bought the car. I plan to keep the car for some time and if any further mechanical issues come out of this with the car I don't want the dealership trying to play blame games down the road.

We found out today that the woman (on SS Disability, riding around in the middle of the day with two young guys in her newish nice car ) did not have valid insurance at the time. We have uninsured motorist coverage, but now we have to play more of a game with who covers what.


My questions to you all are:

Any experience with insurance in situations like this?

Any experience with dealership collision centers and mechanical problems down the road?

How do I make sure that only OEM parts are used and that the car is made new considering it only has a few hundred miles on it?

Any advice on diminished value in Florida?

Any other advice or experience you can offer.

 

First of all, glad everyone is, for the most part, OK. Especially your baby.

Are you sure the Highlander isn't totaled? If it really was 45 mph, with no brakes and your wife at a complete stop, I can't imagine there wouldn't be some structural damage, which can add up quickly.

I would think in your situation, you'd not have too much trouble getting OEM parts, especially if a dealer is going to be repairing it. I just had my Tacoma repaired due to being rear-ended, and I got all OEM, new parts without too much of a fight.

As far as diminished value, that may be a lot tougher for you, especially if you have to file it under your comprehensive coverage. There was specific language written within my policy that excludes any diminished value except for a liability collision situation. Hopefully your uninsured motorist coverage falls under that, and you can file a claim.