Well the insurance verdict came in today....

[jerry S]

A lawyer will, but he'll take 25 - 33%._

that should only be if he takes the case to trial. An ethical attorney should take 10% of any recovery where he has not filed a case. I think Pak should sit down with an experienced PI attorney and discuss what he should get and compare it to what he is being offered. Most initial consulations are free anyways. Pak would come away having some idea what's what.

 

[1320stang]

This may sound wierd, but thanks for help Pak out Jerry. I appreciate you willingness to offer your professional advise on a somewhat O/T subject, but maybe the rest of will learn something about what has happened, although I hope it never happens to anyone else (It's happened to me before, so WELCOME TO THE CLUB PAK!!! )

 

[WORTH]

Pak, tell them you'll take the 15385 with a 1 dollar byback, then sick the lawyers on them. The cash in the hand should fix the car no problem. And hopefully the lawyers will screw the **** out of them. But that will take several years. Better to have part of the cash now so you can fix the car before it's an Antique

 

[gp001]

that should only be if he takes the case to trial. An ethical attorney should take 10% of any recovery where he has not filed a case. I think Pak should sit down with an experienced PI attorney and discuss what he should get and compare it to what he is being offered. Most initial consulations are free anyways. Pak would come away having some idea what's what.

I don't think I have ever met one of those. Are they listed in the Yellow Pages just before the Unobtanium Distributors?

Just messin with ya Jerry. Several of my friends are lawyers so please don't take it personal. Oh, and most of them would charge the 25-33%

 

[chepsk8]

Pak,

Been following the thread, can't offer any better advice than what's posted here. Remember the rarity of the cars, fight to keep this one with us.


(BTW, the amount they are offering to settle is almost exactly what I spent to buy my FFR!)

 

[Hack]

This was said above, but I wanted to reinforce it. Don't give in. They will negotiate. They just want you to give in easily. A certain percentage of people won't fight, and so the insurance company does this. I agree that it sucks.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

DON"T GIVE UP!!

 

[raykrv6a]

Get your insurance company involved. Let them sue the other company which is common. Figure out what you want for the car and your pain and suffering. Then find a hardass law firm to sue. You need someone that is aggressive and has a good record. You can also call your state's attorney generals office and see what they recommend. Make it a pain in the butt for the insurance company to settle it.

I had to sue another lawyer once and finding the right lawyer was tough even though it was clear cut case that I won without going to trial. I think it was a club thing.

If they were trying to sell your car back to you for 3k, they really are only offering you 12k to get out of their hair.

 

[Pakrat]

Well, I already tried all that with the agent when I called him back last week, I got no where. He practically begged me to try and sue them when I told him I'd have to turn this over to my attorney if we couldnt reach an agreement. He feels confident that they can easily back up their figures, that's when he pointed out to me that sometimes life just ain't fair. I told him that how ever he wanted to work the numbers I needed 15k net to fix the car, he said they have about $150 worth of wiggle room and he wouldn't want to insult me with that, nothing else they can do, the settlement is final no negotiating is possible. I really don't think bad press or anything I could threaten would work on this guy, he seems pretty sure of himself.

 

[jerry S]

Well, I already tried all that with the agent when I called him back last week, I got no where. He practically begged me to try and sue them when I told him I'd have to turn this over to my attorney if we couldnt reach an agreement. He feels confident that they can easily back up their figures, that's when he pointed out to me that sometimes life just ain't fair. I told him that how ever he wanted to work the numbers I needed 15k net to fix the car, he said they have about $150 worth of wiggle room and he wouldn't want to insult me with that, nothing else they can do, the settlement is final no negotiating is possible. I really don't think bad press or anything I could threaten would work on this guy, he seems pretty sure of himself.

Pak:

don't threaten him with anything. A lawyer is called a "mouth piece" for a reason. Before you do anything else, sit down with one for a free consulation and see if he thinks it is worth your while for him to get involved. If an experience personal injury lawyer (that's what you need) says your economic and non-economic damages exceed what you are being offered, then consider retaining one and going from there. Don't waste your time trying to do this with the insurance company. They are experts in this. You are not. A lawyer, on the other hand, is also an expert. It is like going into a gunfight. If the other guy is a shootist and you ain't, you need to hire yerself a shootist to act in your behalf. Otherwise, you are out of luck.

 

[Ozsum2]

Pak, take the check and don't look back. Don't let your emotions mess with your mind. Wash your hands of the deal and start over. Get some good sleep for a change. But, take their ass to court over the injuries. Make em pay there.

 

[Ferf]

First and foremost, I would stop talking to anyone and everyone with the exception of those on this board, your insurance agent, and your lawyer. Completely cut off all communications with the other insurance company and don't sign a thing. Your insurance agent and company are there for a reason. They are the ones that should be in communication with the other insurance company and not you!!! If you have a problem with something express it to your agent.

In the first accident I had, someone rear-ended me as I was making a left turn and sent me spinning around into the other lane. I had an after-market stereo system and the insurance company (we both had state farm) had no problems replacing my amps and speakers. However, the head-unit was damaged and all my cd's would skip. The claims adjuster asked me to take the head-unit in for repair to a local shop and I did. I spent my own time and gas money to take it in. I got it back "repaired" and it still had the same problems. I called the adjuster back and he wanted me to take it somewhere else for repair. I got off the phone with him and immediatly called my insurance agent and explained that it was BS that I have to keep spending my time and money to drive around trying to get my stereo repaired. He told me that he would call me back in 10 minutes. Ten minutes later, my agent called me back and said that I could either pick up the check or have it mailed to me to replace the head unit.

later,

Chris

 

[Ferf]

BTW, don't be to concerned with the agreement that you have with your insurance company. They shouldn't be concerned with what you have the car insured for through them. For example, if I am only carrying liability on my car and someone hits me, it is still my insurance company's responsibility to make sure that I am getting fair reimbursemnt for my car or damages.

I am glad to say that I have not had one bad thing to say about State Farm and my agent is great. There seems to be quite a few people on here that have also had good experiences with State Farm.

BTW, depending on where you live...make sure you have full tort on your insurance if you wish to ever sue for pain and suffering, lost wages, etc. Unfortunitly, here in PA we have to pay extra on our insurance to have the right to sue for pain & suffering, lost wages, etc.

later,

Chris

 

[Timmy]

Fist, let me say how sorry I am and I still haven’t taken my 69 out of the garage since your ordeal stated.

IMO, You had your baby insured with Hagerty for $15k agreed value. His insurance company offered $15,385. There is nothing your company can or will do at this point. Heck, the other company “could” use that against you and lower the offer to $15K. If you had totaled it out(your fault) $15K would be all you could get. I’m shocked that a non classic insurance company offered you that much. I would try and work on the buy back figure. Seems high. I like the $1 buy back idea mentioned above.

Talk to a lawyer. That is the only way to find out just what you can and can’t do. Just remember that lawyer fees add up quick and will impact the final amount you get on any personal injury claim.

Good luck…………..

 

[mdjay]

There truely is some good advice here. I've been through the ringer with insurance companies and lawyers and it just all sucks. I feel for you buddy but just fight 'em tooth and nail until you get the money you deserve.

I really am concerned about your neck and back though!

 

[390Fe]

My advice... (from someone who has had Several wrong place wrong time accidents) is to consult a lawyer... you will NOT get a fair shake from the other guy's insurance and they will NOT deal with you straight up. They are in the business to pay you as little as possible. PLEASE just consult a lawyer...your car was beautiful and rare enough that it deserves to be fought for.

I know you want to put it all behind you... but don't give in yet!

 

[Pakrat]

I will continue to fight I guess, I'm just so tired of it all right now but thanks for the words of confidence.

Pak, take the check and don't look back. Don't let your emotions mess with your mind. Wash your hands of the deal and start over. Get some good sleep for a change. But, take their ass to court over the injuries. Make em pay there.

I wish it were that simple Oz I really do but my entire car and reason for having it is based on emotion, I have no desire to start over. If I take the check I'm walking away from the hobby completely, not just the car. If I had to pull the plug on a loved one I wouldn't take the insurance and just go looking for a new one, some would but not me.

 

[Ozsum2]

I will continue to fight I guess, I'm just so tired of it all right now but thanks for the words of confidence.



I wish it were that simple Oz I really do but my entire car and reason for having it is based on emotion, I have no desire to start over. If I take the check I'm walking away from the hobby completely, not just the car. If I had to pull the plug on a loved one I wouldn't take the insurance and just go looking for a new one, some would but not me.

I hear what you are saying. Speaking from my own experience, sometimes it is best to just punt instead of playing the whole game only to loose in the end. But. sometimes just playing the game is enough no matter what the outcome. It's your game, so play it as you see fit. I know it may take more cash than 15 large to replace/fix it, but when you have an agreed upon value in place, you set the standard on what it is worth. Hindsight tells that maybe that figure was low. Sometimes, it is just best to throw in the towel instead of getting beat to a pulp in the fight and wish you had done things differently in the end.