Got into a minor accident with my truck and insurance says it’s a total loss. (2 Viewers)

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Fair point. I assumed no cops showed up, lest the other person would have been cited for improper registration and there would be a police report specifying fault rather than the insurance company 'assigning' it.
Agree

Slash you need a police report.
 
I've lived in MA before. It is common practice to "pull out" to hinder traffic coming from the left so that you can make a left turn when there is a gap on the right. I'm just stating fact.

Wait...

Are you saying, as in, people turning left across a lane of oncoming traffic will intentionally pull forward into the road with the specific intent of slowing down the oncoming traffic?

Because in that case... Well, mama said...
 
Yes, it is common practice and generally accepted in the (greater Boston) area. Otherwise, in reality, folks would be waiting 5+ mins to hook a left.

You wait for a decent gap from the left to essentially pull out partway and block the lane of traffic on the left while you wait for a gap on the right to complete your left turn. Usually the traffic on the left slows down to let you complete your turn, but there is nothing the MA traffic statutes that says this specific move is legal or illegal.

It is one of those unwritten etiquette rules of the road in that area.

It shocked the FU(K out of me when I first saw it, but it is just how they do things in that area.
 
Yes, it is common practice and generally accepted in the (greater Boston) area. Otherwise, in reality, folks would be waiting 5+ mins to hook a left.

You wait for a decent gap from the left to essentially pull out partway and block the lane of traffic on the left while you wait for a gap on the right to complete your left turn. Usually the traffic on the left slows down to let you complete your turn, but there is nothing the MA traffic statutes that says this specific move is legal or illegal.

It is one of those unwritten etiquette rules of the road in that area.

It shocked the FU(K out of me when I first saw it, but it is just how they do things in that area.


Maybe you've been away for a while, but if you think people drive with any sort of etiquette around here (especially in Boston), you are mistaken good sir. Might as well be the the Thunderdome out here, every man for himself. But yes, this is pretty common because people are dicks and won't let you make a left unless you force your way into oncoming traffic.
 
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Wait...

Are you saying, as in, people turning left across a lane of oncoming traffic will intentionally pull forward into the road with the specific intent of slowing down the oncoming traffic?

Because in that case... Well, mama said...
Yea, it’s even got a name: The Boston Left. I grew up with it and it’s still standard practice.
 
You were parked at a stop sign and they hit you? And your insurance is telling you that you are at fault? I'm missing something here...

Current 2003 Autotrader listings right now in the US:

Average price: $17,856
Average miles: ~180k


Their valuation is wrong. Correct it for them.
Retain an attorney. You want civil citations against the other driver by law enforcement written. Start stacking the deck in your favor.

Forget a shred of sympathy you have for the other driver. He shouldn't have even been driving that car.

Also, don't take the word on the MA statutes on the law and culpability from anyone but law enforcement or an attorney versed in the subject.

Thank you. Can anyone recommend a good attorney in the MA area, that isn't going to break the bank?
 
Did ANYONE get a citation when the cops showed up? If so, who and for what?

Nope. I did call the local police department and spoke to an on duty police officer (dispatcher). The conversation went something like this:

Officer: "xx PD, this call is being recorded"

Me: "Hello, I was in an accident this morning with another vehicle"

Officer: "Was anyone injured?"

Me: "No, no injuries"

Officer: "Did you and the other party exchange information?"

Me: "Yes"

Officer: "OK, since there were no injuries, and you have exchanged information, there is no need to file a report."

Me: "OK... well, thanks"

Officer: "Bye now"
 
Note to yourself: always claim a potential injury to get law enforcement to show up, even if it is only your pride that is injured.
 
Agree

Slash you need a police report.

I ended up filling out a crash report and sending it to the RMV, my local PD, and the insurance company. I did this because the local PD told me there was no need to file a police report since there were no injuries in the accident.

Note to yourself: always claim a potential injury to get law enforcement to show up, even if it is only your pride that is injured.

Noted. However, this this is the first accident I have ever been in, and I hope to never be involved in one again.
 
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I ended up filling out a crash report and sending it to the RMV, my local PD, and the insurance company. I did this because the local PD told me there was no need to file a police report since there were no injuries in the accident.
Probably a scam so that insurance companies can blame mutual fault and raise rates on both drivers. The cover story is probably lack of law enforcement resources to be present at every crash, so the other extreme is none (except for injuries).
 
Just as a situational comparison, my 2000 with 230k was hit in the rear a few years ago. Other guys insurance looked at it and wrote me a 4500 check to replace the upper hatch (tire carrier flexed and dented the upper hatch) and replace the a/m rear bumper.

I am super impressed at the amount of damage to the truck and the lack of damage to your Land Cruiser. I had a Nissan Armada rear end me a couple years ago and it was basically the same result. Her whole front end was basically destroyed, but I had a slight dent on my rear door hatch and a little scratched paint.... I took the insurance check and hit the road!
 
Curious, you hear anything else? Just wondering as in MA too.
Hi,
No updates yet. I am letting this sit for a while, before I collect information (receipts for upgrades and repairs,) before sending that over to the insurance adjuster to get the value increased. I've also contacted a few lawyers, and they all, so far, have said to just accept the total loss. Not the experience I was expecting.
 
Hi,
No updates yet. I am letting this sit for a while, before I collect information (receipts for upgrades and repairs,) before sending that over to the insurance adjuster to get the value increased. I've also contacted a few lawyers, and they all, so far, have said to just accept the total loss. Not the experience I was expecting.

I bought my car as a salvage title, though it was in seemingly good shape (2000 Integra I think it was in a front-end accident but mechanically it's fine). In the ensuing years I've had a few accidents and it's been stolen once so it's been totaled 3 more times in my ownership. It's a huge hassle to deal with this at the DMV every time but otherwise this hasn't been a huge deal, honestly. I just take the ever-shrinking check based on my car's perceived value. I'm sure it affects my resale but I am not selling this car anytime soon so that doesn't really affect me personally.
 
Ok... here is a better update. Today I called a local body shop / collision specialist that I have used in the past for my wife’s car. This is a no nonsense shop that does great work at reasonable prices.

Their initial estimate based on a visual inspection: $2000 - $3000, plus or minus $100 -$200. I’m leaving the truck there for him to do a thorough inspection next week. His initial thoughts were that he could just repair the fender instead of replacing it. Likely upper control arm, and maybe wheel bearing. New bumper and fog light, maybe steering knuckle.

So next week I plan to send the insurance company the receipts for upgrades and repairs I’ve done, so I can hopefully have them increase their valuation, and adjust their estimate, resulting in a bigger settlement check for me.

The body shop has said since the vehicle is over ten years old, having the total loss is not a big deal because you don’t have to apply for salvage and all that other nonsense.

BTW - the insurance company mailed a letter to the “witness’” address, and are waiting for that before determining fault. This is important because I don’t think I was at fault, and if their investigation comes to the same conclusion then I don’t have to pay my deductible.
 
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Today’s update:

Yesterday I sent an email to the insurance company with a few AutoTrader listings and a list of upgrades and repairs I’ve done or had done.

This morning they got back to me increasing their settlement offer.

The new settlement value is about $700 less than what I paid for the truck when I bought it, so I think I’m going to accept it, keeping my truck, and getting it repaired.

If they determine I was not at fault, I will even get my deductible back on top of the settlement value.

If they somehow determine I was at fault (I wasn’t,) then I can appeal it and hopefully get my deductible back that way.
 
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Today’s update:

This morning they got back to me increasing their settlement offer.

The new settlement value is about $700 less than what I paid for the truck when I bought it, so I think I’m going to accept it, keeping my truck, and getting it repaired.

FYI be prepared for your check to be something like $500-700 less than that value because you have to effectively buy the truck back from the insurance company for the scrap cost. At least this is how it works in CA. so basically you agree to take the cash value of the vehicle, they pay you and now they own the vehicle. Then you buy it back for the flat scrap cost. But in my experience they just deduct that cost from the payout and cut you a check for the net dollar amount.
 
Today’s update:

Yesterday I sent an email to the insurance company with a few AutoTrader listings and a list of upgrades and repairs I’ve done or had done.

This morning they got back to me increasing their settlement offer.

The new settlement value is about $700 less than what I paid for the truck when I bought it, so I think I’m going to accept it, keeping my truck, and getting it repaired.

If they determine I was not at fault, I will even get my deductible back on top of the settlement value.

If they somehow determine I was at fault (I wasn’t,) then I can appeal it and hopefully get my deductible back that way.
Great they increased the value. I just went through a similar battle with my insurance.

I am confused when you say you are going to get a settlement for your claim and will keep the truck? When I took the settlement and then asked them what the cost would be to buy it back after settlement they wanted $4,500. I thought about buying it back and selling off all the parts, but at $4,500 it wasn't worth the hassle.
 
Great they increased the value. I just went through a similar battle with my insurance.

I am confused when you say you are going to get a settlement for your claim and will keep the truck? When I took the settlement and then asked them what the cost would be to buy it back after settlement they wanted $4,500. I thought about buying it back and selling off all the parts, but at $4,500 it wasn't worth the hassle.
HAHA. Never mind, I should have read the whole thread. Didn't realize it was a settlement where you get to keep ownership. My bad.
🤦‍♂️
 

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