Okay so Friday night I was driving in Phoenix on the 202 going to a buddies house. It was about 5:00 p.m. so traffic was starting to get stupid. Everyone started hitting their brakes so I started hitting mine. I didn't slam on them or anything, just enough as usual. I look in my rear-view mirror and see this guy come flying up. He doesn't start hitting his brakes until about 20 feet away away, pretty sure he was texting or doing something but paying attention. He then swerves to the right and hits the back right part of my bumper, right on the taillight, going about 50 while I'm going about 20. Obviously from the spot he hits me l go flying directly to the left into the concrete median. I was able to turn quick enough to not go head on into it but more at an angle.

I was too distraught to take any pictures but basically the back bumper is completely destroyed, not sure about exhaust. My front left wheel is perpendicular to the front right. All my rims are pretty much destroyed. Something was bent upward in the trunk. Unsure about mechanical damage aside from the front axle. I was on the left side of the highway while the guy that hit me and another person he hit were on the far right side. I wasn't able to get across the police said that everyone was alright.

It looked pretty done for to me but the police said they've seen worse repaired. My insurance agency said they think it is repairable (based on what a computer says.) Its about to go to the shop to find out. Only concern I have is that most major repairs usually still have problems and some things just aren't right. Also, the guy that hit me doesn't have insurance. Luckily, I have full coverage.

And finally after all that, the issues. If it isn't repairable, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I've wanted this car since I was 11. I was finally able to buy it for myself after I got back from Afghanistan, and it was the happiest day of my life. I'm not sure if I could get as much joy out of another Z as I have with this first one since it is so special. Expect the worst, hope for the best. Pertaining to the uninsured guy, how do I go about this? Am I able to sue him to pay for damages or anything of the sort? Or does he just get off with a ticket for driving uninsured?

 

Your insurance company will go after him for the material damage. That's one benefit of having both comprehensive and collision insurance. Good on you for having it. If you suffered any injuries as a result of the accident, you could sue in civil court.

As for the Z, let the estimate process take its course. From your description, it sounds like he hit you at an angle on one corner and you slid into the concrete median? If so, the damage may still be repairable without totaling your car. Search this site and you'll find other Z owners who've been through the same process.

So don't be lost. Get your feet back onto the ground and get determined to make the best out of the situation.

 

Thanks so much. Does it have to be a physical injury to take him to civil court?

 

Sounds like you may want to consult a lawyer. There are many, in the valley, that will gladly provide you with a free consultation in hopes of earning your business.

 

That sucks man. I'll agree the roads and traffic down here are terrible though.

 

Sorry for the bad experience. As far as repairs go I know in CA it's your right to go to whatever shop you want to get repairs, tis might be a federal law I'm not sure. So just be sure that if they do repair it that it is repaired to your standards and don't let them cheap out on anything. If they do decide to total it consider it an upgrade, I'm not sure what year yours is but maybe upgrade to am HR or even go to a 370z. It is hard seeing your dream car be destroyed but in the end it is just a car and can be replaced, be thankful you are alright and like I said treat yourself to an upgrade.

 

First, thank you for your service. Second, hopefully your insurance company will take care of you and get things straightened out (sorry for the pun). If the loser who hit you has any assets, it's their job to go after them after they cover your losses. Don;t worry about that part of things.

It's only a car, and of course it's got some sentimental value that only you can understand, but if it's not repairable, there are plenty of nice Z's out there if you're patient enough to look for the right one. I always wonder what I would do if I lost mine, but I'm also amazed by some of the nice used Z's guys find and post pics of here.

Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

I talked to my agent and as far as them going after the guy, I will only get my deductible back. So I am going to talk to a lawyer about going after him on my own. My car is being moved from the tow yard to the shop now. I should hopefully know by the end of the week if it is repairable. I have Statefarm and they offer a limited lifetime warranty on their select service shops. I recently moved down here so I actually don't have a shop of my own that I prefer yet so I picked ABC Nissan. I figured it was my best bet on the list.

 

I don't believe you and your insurance company can both go after the other guy's assets, and the insurance company gets first crack at him. They may find out he's got nothing, but even so, they'll pay for the repairs on your car. If you want to pursue the guy for stuff other than your car repairs, i.e. a long-term disability he may have caused you, or injuries not covered by your insurance, etc. that's a different matter. But if the guy has nothing, which seems likely, considering he's uninsured, you're still out of luck. At least you're with a good, major insurance company, and a Nissan dealer likely has a good shop for the repairs.

 

Almost The same thing happened to me, the end of last month. Stop and go traffic leaving a concert, I started slowin down and the guy behind me never checked up. I was almost stopped and it felt like I got hit by a freight train. It was a 16 year old kid in a 4 door dodge Dakota, which came out pretty much unharmed, who said he hit the gas instead of the brake. It bent the trunk lid, not bad but bad enough that I would want it replaced and not repaired. Back bumper and both tail lights and turn signals were done for, back right quarter panel was bent too, as well as exhaust. I didn't really expect the car to be totaled, the damage looked to be all cosmetic, but apparently not because they called me Friday and told me they are totaling it out.

 

Your best hope is they total it. You don't want to have a car that is wrecked unless you plan on keeping it until the wheels fall off. Your resale value will be shot to hell.

 

That's why you would include diminished value in your claim.

 

Well here is an update so far. Got a call from the shop yesterday and they are up to $9,600 in repairs so far without the car being taken apart. Its a black 2005 touring edition with 75k miles. KBB says $11,500. So they will most likely total it. I was planning on keeping it forever but it doesn't look like that now. I've found a silver alloy, 2008 grand touring with 30k miles for $19,500. Going to set me so far back. Do you guys know if I'll be able to take the exhaust off if they do total it?

 

All I can say is that you'll love the '08 GT. Big upgrade from the '05 in just about every respect. I hope it works out for you.

 

Most insurance companies will allow you to remove some parts as long as you properly replace them with the OEM parts. Do you still have the stock exhaust and can you get the car up safely to remove and replace it?

 

Unfortunately I do not. I replaced the stock exhaust with an aftermarket not only because it was better, but because the stock was rusting and had leaks.

 

I live in the East Valley and I think the roads here are great. Then again I used to live in Chicago where they had the cheapest roads and the most potholes you'll ever see. Nothing like repeatedly buying new rims/tires/bumpers/etc after hitting potholes that should have been fixed years ago.

 

Crashed cars never the same bro.

 

Hopefully they will total it out.

 

[QUOTE=DNohren;10390254]Well here is an update so far. Got a call from the shop yesterday and they are up to $9,600 in repairs so far without the car being taken apart. Its a black 2005 touring edition with 75k miles. KBB says $11,500. So they will most likely total it. I was planning on keeping it forever but it doesn't look like that now. I've found a silver alloy, 2008 grand touring with 30k miles for $19,500. Going to set me so far back. Do you guys know if I'll be able to take the exhaust off if they do total it?[/

Did they let you get the exhaust off your car with out the oem?