Totaled truck right in middle of Fishing Season

[Fisherdv]

Glad you went to the doctors, whiplash sucks, but happy to hear you're doing better.

When I was at the Ford dealer the other day, I got sticker shock after sticker shock!    Then I saw a Ford Raptor, WTF.

Id rather get one of those decked out Mercedes vans for that price.

[Yachter Yat]

    Yeah, prices on new vehicles have come to be nothing short of nuts. Hey....someone has to cover these CEO salaries. I see where GM CEO Mary Barra is at 29 million. (I wonder if that includes stock options) Do you suppose these prices are why I seem to see people driving so cautiously these days?   Cheer up....things may actually get worse if this auto workers strike winds-up going long term. 

Yat 

[BigMac]

Glad you went to the doctors, whiplash sucks, but happy to hear you're doing better.

When I was at Was told by the service guy in a nearby dealership that my 2015 Ford Expedition engine (and similarly equipped vehicles for a couple years afterthe Ford dealer the other day, I got sticker shock after sticker shock!    Then I saw a Ford Raptor, WTF.

)
The prices for new trucks are beyond crazy.
Even with the discount programs available to me,  I still won't buy a new truck
I'll be looking for another low mile used GMC sierra. 
2015 is a good year.

Service guy at the local dealership said my 2015 Ford Expedition had a really good engine (as did vehicles similarly equipped for the next couple years).  The last few years, not so much.  Have only had to have one sensor replaced since buying new.

[Yachter Yat]

  If I ever live long enough to find myself having to buy a new Tacoma (and these latest dealer "markups" continue on their present path), it may have to be directly from the manufacturer. No?  Then they could shove-it where the Sun don't shine. I'd drive mine until it begins to look like the vehicle from the "Beverly Hillbillies".  Something tells me it's likely to last at least that long.

Yat

P.S.  BTW, at little trivia:  "Beverly Hills" was named by a guy from Beverly Farms, Ma. For those who don't know......a very affluent area.........even back then.  Ha 

[headduck]

I cant imagine you'd let anything  you own lose luster or shine, or add a chair for granny...

[Playin Hooky]

If you change your mind about a new truck, check out dealers in other states.  My son bought a new 2022 F150 early this year from a Michigan dealer.  He not only got a Ford rebate but also a discount from the dealer.  It cost him $1,700 to ship but saved far more than that to cover the cost of shipping. Local dealers all had Markups over MSRP at the time.   

[martin3]

If you change your mind about a new truck, check out dealers in other states.  My son bought a new 2022 F150 early this year from a Michigan dealer.  He not only got a Ford rebate but also a discount from the dealer.  It cost him $1,700 to ship but saved far more than that to cover the cost of shipping. Local dealers all had Markups over MSRP at the time.   

I am fortunate thru my work,  I can get VIP deals from most car manufactures.
They extend their buying programs to their Ocean Carrier partners.

Even with this discount,  the high prices scare me off.
I'll stick to buying USED.

[Keel-er]

Like everyone I'm sorry for your accident but thankful you're okay.  I do recommend being your own advocate with your insurance company, know what your policy has and push for every bit of it.  Consider looking out of state for a truck.  I've talked with several people who have gone to Utah and Idaho and got smoking deals.  Long drive home but for saving several thousand.

Last week I hit a deer, seriously it ran into me, while driving to the coast to fish.  Driving my GMC Canyon and the driver's side is pretty beat up.  Worse for the deer.  We're okay so that's what matters.

[AJFishin]

The only downside with buying used trucks from out of state is making sure they didn't come from salt states, where they use salt on the icy  roads in the winter. Carfax's are good helper to see where the vehicle came from.

[martin3]

The only downside with buying used trucks from out of state is making sure they didn't come from salt states, where they use salt on the icy  roads in the winter. Carfax's are good helper to see where the vehicle came from.

I'm looking now,   local used market is pretty thin right now.
I will only buy after putting my eyes on it......no unseen purchases for me.

[Hunter]

Hey Martin....just glad to hear that you're OK Brother!   So sorry this happened. 

Others have provided some good advice here.  One thing I will add is that is anyone here EVER gets in a accident that's not your fault, make sure to note the exact time that the wreck occurred.  By doing this your attorney can subpoena the other drivers phone records to see if he/she was calling or texting at the time of the wreck.  Here in WA, it's illegal to text or even hold your phone while driving so that evidence can make the negligence "willfull".

As for a replacement rig.....I totally agree on the 2015 GM's.   My 2500HD Duramax is a 2015 and other than an O2 sensor replacement, it's been problem free.   It's only got 140K on it and I fully plan to get another 200K out of it.   We'll see.   Best of "better" luck Martin!! 






   

[martin3]

Well,   I finally got a copy of the police report.
The NO insurance gem was confirmed.

CHP determined the other driver was 100% fault for driving approx 65 MPH approaching slowing/stopping freeway traffic.
The report shows they were cited for failure to operate safely and operating with no insurance.

My insurance Co. has sent me the estimated value for my truck.  It was fair.  Will haggle with them some more and see where it goes.
I am still looking for ny new ride.  The USED market right now is pretty thin.

[Playin Hooky]

So sorry.  It looked like a great truck.  Hopefully another gem will come your way. 

[AJFishin]

What a piece of s#it. Worst part is, he'll pay a small fine and get a higher insurance rate if he every gets auto insurance in the future, but we already know he's not. I hope karma takes care of him.

Hope you can find your next sweet truck sooner than later, the silver lining is you didn't get to seriously injured and you'll be back on the water again shortly.

[fishmeister]

Worst part is, he'll pay a small fine

Even more unfortunately is that he'll get issued a fine, but probably won't pay it.  No one will bother to prosecute it either.  And, since he was already driving without insurance, he'll undoubtedly do it again.

Agreed that, hopefully, Karma comes back around to him.

Bottom line is that this all sucks as you're the one without a truck and you didn't do anything wrong.

[Yachter Yat]

    AJ and Meister:  I don't get it! You'd think driving without insurance, along with failure to own-up to the financial responsibility for the damage caused such an accident, would be enough to qualify for a person's license to be revoked.

Yat

[croaker stroker]

AJ and Meister:  I don't get it! You'd think driving without insurance, along with failure to own-up to the financial responsibility for the damage caused such an accident, would be enough to qualify for a person's license to be revoked.

Yat

Not in California.

[oldsurfer]

Small claims court 

[martin3]

Small claims court 

It might end up there.....we shall see.

[AJFishin]

If you choose to do small claims, consult with a lawyer first. If you decide small claims is worth it, 100% hire a lawyer. I've had to sue people a couple times in small claims and having a lawyer to do everything that is needed to be done is worth it. If you lose, a real attorney won't take a payment, besides a few hundred dollars for the person to be served and court filing charges.
Although your lawyer won't be able to stand next to you in court, they will be there with you before the hearing, prepping you for your case and will be with you before you see the judge when you and the party you're suing, exchange your evidence.
Like it's said, only a fool represents themselves.

[beancounter]

Small claims is probably a waste of time. Someone driving without insurance is most likely judgement proof.
My bet is you won't collect a dime from that driver.

[fishmeister]

Small claims is probably a waste of time. Someone driving without insurance is most likely judgement proof.
My bet is you won't collect a dime from that driver.

 

Unfortunately, I think Bean might be right on this.

[ohmytodd]

With my wife's fender bender the other driver was uninsured and 17 years old, speeding in the center lane to pass traffic that was stopped to let my wife through to turn left. The cops all agreed it was the other girls fault, but didn't cite her on the spot for being uninsured.

Since she wasn't cited, my insurance found that since the girl lied and said she was making a left turn from the center lane and couldn't prove that she was speeding, my wife was 60% at fault. Farmer's bought that 17 year uninsured girl a new (used) car because a local cop felt bad and didn't write her a ticket. She broke the law by even being on the road and got a better car out of the deal than the POS Camry she totalled. Later, when I asked the officer why he didn't write the ticket he said that at least half the drivers they deal with in accidents are uninsured these days. They don't cite for it unless the other party specifically requests it, and usually it's when both parties are uninsured so that they can sue each other. Nuts.

Ironically, that accident happened on our last day with Farmer's, so they ended up having to pay for everything. The following day our Safeco policy took effect. 

[Yachter Yat]

  According to what I read, auto insurance in Ca. is mandatory.  My State (N.H.) does not require it. In fact, as far as I know, we may be the only State that doesn't require it. That said, if uninsured, you 'supposedly' must show the financial ability to cover the cost of any damage you cause in a motor vehicle accident. It's almost laughable, because I've often wondered how in the world the DMV ever verifies that.   I should say again:  "As far as I know", we're the only State that actually allows people to drive an uninsured vehicle. Our State moto is "Live Free or Die".  Guess it makes "Living Free and Dying" much easier.
   Oh, and BTW, I've seen people lose their driver's license in N.H. for exactly what we're talking about.

Yat

[AJFishin]

In California, I believe for a first offense is a fine between $100 and $200, there might be some court fees added on top of that, but not that much.
By their 3rd offense, they "can" get their license suspended for 4 years at the worst.
Criminals have no cares because they can get away with anything in this state.

As for going to smalls claims, the CHP stated in their report, the person was 100% at fault, which is good for Martin's case, more so if his insurance was dealing with the at fault's insurance company.
Unfortunately our court system is terrible and might side with the person at fault because the court will take pity on someone that I'm sure they will say, they're on hard times and just couldn't afford insurance, but had to get back and forth to work.
There's a possibility the judge will look at Martin and compare his lifestyle and the defendant's lifestyle and possibly dismiss the case because Martin is able to get compensated via insurance, where the defendant will be looked at losing everything.
There is a wildcard in all of this, there was a 3rd party involved in this accident and there's no telling what they're doing. Only an attorney would be able to find that out, but that will only be known if he hires an attorney.

This is why I said, consult with an attorney first that offers a free consultation, to see what they believe is a good path to take. A good attorney will only take a case if they believe they will win, unless it's one of those ambulance chasing law firms, which are just bad and send out pre written court forms.