Got into an accident, car may be totaled what do I get?

Question

Okay, So I got into an accident the other night :-(, pulled out onto the highway making a right, there was a huge snowbank to the left of me obstructing my view so it was hard to see, it looked clear so I pulled out and bam, struck by an oncoming car. I believe they are going to say its my fault and I believe my car may be declared totaled. I have a reconstructed title, is that going to affect their decision to declare it totaled, and if they do declare it totaled will it affect the amount of money I recieve? The only thing really wrong is the front driver side door, but it hit the bar inbetween the two doors a little so I think it may be structural damage. Thanks.

Update:
Thanks everyone for your input, I went down first thing this morning to find out the situation. They are going to fix it! I think i've lost about 5 pounds over the last few days because I felt so sick I couldn't eat, I worked for 5 years to buy that car and I was convinced it would be a total loss or I wouldn't recieve much. I have always been a good driver and this was just the worst thing to happen to me in a long time. I'm sure nobody here cares to read this but I just needed to vent, thanks again for everyones input.

Answer 1

Sounds totalled, happens a lot in the wintertime. If you are listed as at fault you'll receive the insured value of the car minus your deductable.

Answer 2

What the insurance company will do is look at the value of the vehicle versus the cost to repair it. If the damage is more than the vehicle is worth, then they will total it. When the value of the vehicle is determined, they will take a overall look of what its condition was prior to the accident. They will begin with a basic value. They do not use the blue book, black book, or red book, they commonly use the NADA guide. (National Automobile Dealers Association) The general condition of the vehicle will be looked at along with the year model and mileage. Was the paint in good condition?, Was there any rust?, Was the interior in good shape with no tears or stains?, Is the tires in good shape? , Is the engine clean?, etc. those factors will be adjusted in the value and then they will come up with what is called the ACV (Actual Cash Value) of the vehicle minus the deductible. Now here is the catch, if the vehicle is financed and the value is more than what you owe on it, they will first pay off the vehicle and you will be given a check for what is left. If you owe more than what it is worth, then you are what is called "upside down". The insurance company will only pay the ACV, not the full amount owed. You will be responsible for the remaining balance owed to the finance company. Now you are saying you have a reconstructed title, that is most likely going to hurt your vehicle's value.

Answer 3

I believe it's going to be decided your fault, also.

Do you have collision insurance on your car? Did you tell the insurance company, when you got the car, that you have a reconstructed title?

If you didn't declare it as a reconstructed car, likely they aren't going to pay anything - that's material misrepresentation, and will allow them to cancel the policy in most states. Don't worry, the damage you did to the other guy should still be covered.

Better hope it's not a total loss. Remember, when the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle (and for a reconstruct, that's going to be about HALF of the kbb private party sale amount), that's a total loss.

Answer 4

the bar in between the two doors is the frame, which even minor damage can result in your frame being damaged, resulting in a high amount of cost and questionable safety. The fact that your car is declared totaled could be helpful in you finding a newer and safer vehicle however it can also hurt you in that reconstructed vehicles might be worth less in their calculations in giving you a check for the worth of the car... It will prob be too expensive for you to repair the cost of the car yourself. Your best bet is to take the check of the car (minus your deductable that they will take) (they will give you this once declared totaled), make sure its fair, and use it to buy the best car you can with the money they gave you. Check out cars.com and look at cars available at local dealerships with the budget (check) your insruance company gave you. good luck. You might end up with less money overall to buy a new car and a much higher insurance premium, but hey, its kinda your fault.

Answer 5

I think you should go and visit him and take some flowers and a card for his family or somthing b/c at the end of the day you may not get another chance to see him and it is a nice way to show his family that your are there for him and are supporting them throgh such a hard time even though they dont no you they will see what i kind person you are and will appriciate the effort and trouble that you have gone to :) hope everything goes ok and he gets better x

Answer 6

fyi.. i didnt see anyone write this yet.

I hope you got that car for really cheap... your car.. since it has a "reconstructed" title.. is ONLY worth abotu 40% of what that car was normally.

Dont dont get your panties in a wad when they only offer you that much... you should have perfectly well known that when you bought it with a salvage title.

People think they are so smart when they buy a salvage car.. but they dont realize.. what you pay for is what you get..

So.. i cant tell you if its totalled or not.. id have to do an estimate.. but i can tell you... that car is only worth 40% of what that car usually is... so be prepared..

Answer 7

If it's totalled you'll receive the actual cash value of your vehicle.

Answer 8

you get the kelly blue book value of the car.