Crashed into. Now getting it fixed. What if?

I know there's a lot worse crashes other people have put us into out there. But I'm the guy who started the thread about "Have a car that can't be bought?" because this one means that much to me. So it's killing me to have to go through this on a car that's never been hit before and only has 48K on it now. It's not a show car, but of the 4 dozen plus Hamb friendly cars I've had, this one means the most.

This will be a simple question for some of you experts out there. I have another 55 Oldsmobile on the road and spare parts to maintain them both. It's not up to me to give them my parts to replace what was damaged (bumper etc.) But to speed up repairs and be fairly compensated, how does it work?

It's going to have to go on a frame machine to bring it back out right. Of the 4 shops I've taken it to, only one want's to attempt a decent repair and has a truck frame machine to do it.

Both rear quarters got equal damage with the square hit and the wheel openings buckled at the fender skirt slots. (They'll never be right again) Really would like to find a shop that doesn't look at my battery cut off switch and ask, "What's that?"

 

that ****s...hope they get it right...is the other driver paying for the repairs?

 

Look for it being jack-knifed in the cat walk at the back window and the floor in the hump area between the trunk and back seat too. That's what bent the wheel opening out like that.
Straighten the floor and the wheel opening should come out too.
Yes that will probably take a frame straightening, but most "real" body shops should have floor anchors to handle that.
That would be the shops that are as old as the car.
Are the rear body-to-frame mounts torn loose or is the frame bent as much as the body?

Don't "settle" on that sore neck/whiplash until it's really all better. That might be years...

 

Yep, chick that hit me just paid the overdue insurance premium this week 2 days ahead of being lapsed.

The frame itself still seems good. It's just the way the SUV went over it and into the body that caused the most buckle.

You are right too about floor anchors probably doing the job. I have a friend with a shop that could do it, but the insurance company is giving me grief about not considering a shop on their list.

First time I've had to deal with something like this. Not sure when I am in my rights to insist on my way.P.S. No sore neck, but was leaning forward in the seat looking for the light to change when hit and thrown back. Removable head rest was in place and rang my bell, but it's the back that's sore. Had to dig my snug fitting hat out of the back seat.

 

Out here where I am, you can take it anywhere you WANT it repaired. I think they may be blowing smoke. Don't let them push you in a corner.

 

Your state may be different but in CA you have the right to have the car fixed in the shop of your own choice.

Keep telling them your neck and back still hurt in the same sentence as getting the car fixed...
Hate to say this but your back may NEVER be "right" again. That's the way whiplash works, seriously!

 

you have the right of like kind and quality, should goback to close to original quality
also is steering to a approved[DRP} shop legal in that state?? you should be able to go where you want, but they may not pay all if excess in their eyes, this is a battle of wits and plan to perservere

 

I've had OT cars repaired and didn't care much who fixed them as long as I knew the doors shut and it didn't rattle going down the road because I drive the wheels off the newer stuff and just use them up. This ones different.

Really hoping to get it right again.........

 

Hey,

Most collision shops today, wouldn't touch that type of repair! The down time for parts, and fewer and fewer repairmen skilled in the repair of a vehicle with a conventional frame would spell trouble for the shop's profit

It looks as though a good portion of the damage to the bumper could be straightened whyle it's still on the vehicle. Each of the quarters look like they'll take 1-2 pulls each with work to the buckles whyle under tension. The lower back panel and trunk floor will probably take two pulls. A pulling post and a floor type pulling system could be used to straighten this type of damage.

As for selling your parts to the insurance company to repair your vehicle-go on ebay and find a LKQ example, and if you'd sell your's for that price, offer the deal to them.

Good luck

" Life ain't no Disney movie "

 

Years ago, a hit & run driver rear ended my O.T. '72 Chevelle. The insurance company totaled my car. The cost to fix was $1000. I told them I wanted to keep the car. Minus salvage fees, the insurance company offered $450 and I keep the car. I told them of the money I had invested (eg: tires, battery, new carb, etc....) They said to send them the receipts and they would adjust the amount. They offered $1000 after consideration, so I accepted. The insurance agent said I didn't have to accept. They would re-negotiate if I thought it wasn't fair. They said they would have to find me another '72 Chevelle with the same equipment and mileage, by law, if I wasn't happy.

I don't know how true that statement was, but I thought he was the most honesty insurance agent I ever met.

Oh, the hit & run driver? Turns out, he fled back to Mexico. Fortunately, I got his license plate number when I was chasing him.

 

Thanks Pimpin! Sounds like you've done this before..........

Your shop open?

 

They are gonna give you grief, they are trying to settle for the smallest amount possible. I believe it is your right to have your car fixed in a shop of your choosing, anywhere. They should not be concerned where you are getting it fixed, they should be just getting ready to send the guy a check. Your insurance, if they are doing their job, should be taking care of you and then sueing the other insurance company to pay, if the other insurance company is resistant.

You should not have to provide the parts to fix the car, my thoughts are, if there are comparable parts on the market, your shop can price your parts accordingly, pay you for them, and turn them in with the repair bill... Just don't let them "total" it. A salvage ***le causes a lot more issues and becomes a permanent part of the vehicle history. Good luck!

 

It will take someone who really knows what he is doing more than what equipment he has in the shop. But either serious anchors in the floor and a dozer and a guy who knows how to use it or one of the new setups that has all the bells and whistles can do the job.

 

same company-same agent,he mentioned that in his 'bumped' thread..
every state i've lived you have the right to your shop of your choice-since not a lot of shops could or would touch it,

 

It's easy to lose track of time when working details on our rides. I eliminated the bridge that held the tag light between the bumperettes. I then used it to make peices of the same contour and thickness to fill in the holes.

I was then going to paint the center section and lower part of the bumper to match the car (black?) to blend in with the body. Then the upper parts of the bumper and uprights would be in an aluminum finish to look like a lighter split bumper with nerfs.

Or course that's what had to get hit and make it more work than just replacing a standard bumper.

The top edge of the bumper is bent it two spots where is pushed the lower panel around the base latch.

Yeah, she just bumped me at the light............

 

And how... my accident was in 2011 and I'm still not right. The other insurance was up my *** for me to take a pittance to settle up, WTF? I said... some people jump at it according to my lawyer.

My injuries got worse in the weeks after the accident. I've been in and out of work with appointments, minor surgical procedures, etc.

Bob

 

i've had whiplash for over 20yrs-it's mild but some days--DAMN!!!
my last rear ender happened about 10 yr ago,on a limited edition super charged Pontiac Bonneville,we fought with shop for awhile,i didn't care about the $$ i just wanted things to be 'right',i also got rear ended in my 79 bronco {that i built},man i had the agent begging for mercy when i was done,i came in with catalogs & receipts for the parts & my shop's idea of what it was gonna take to make it 'right' i ended up with 3 times what they offered,that poor ******* thought i was gonna bow down to his ***-he was wrong!
don't settle for half ***ed-'cause thats what you have to live with! look at it like it was one of your children or wife.-----chuck

 

Sorry about your car.
I'm just curious,was the suv that hit you totaled?(I hope)

 

I would try to find a restoration shop, even if it was out of town. YOU and YOUR car were hit by someone else. The entire situation is not your fault. If you could get a quote from a professional restoration shop for the needed repaires the insurance company will probably be happy to let you go to any collision repair shop you want to. I wish you the best of luck with it all, situations like this **** for sure!!

 

I hate insurance companies AND people that hit my cars. As far as I'm concerned they shouldn't be telling you to do anything. If you want the car repaired by a shop on the other side of the world they should freaking pay for it. They should also compensate you for lost time, lost sleep, Tylenol for your back, phone calls to insurance companies, the 1.00$ for the police report and anything else that you weren't planning on before you got hit. Screw that racket. Makes me so angry. The person that hit you was the one that inconvenienced you and their stupid insurance company was the one that agreed to cover their dumb @$$... When you say 'jump' they should jump. I'm ranting - my wife was just hit by someone texting.

 

Sorry to see the damage and all the B.S. to get it fixed....just wondering though...what is that red and black thingy by your club plaque?

 

Wish I could say she had to be towed, but it was a tall Lexus SUV.

Good thing I was in the 55 Olds as it is stronger than my OT vehicles and has a decent rear rake up. But she still got above my frame while hers came down on mine.
We were even going uphill! So it's not like she drifted into me or something. She just had her cell phone plastered to her ear and wasn't paying attention. I expected her to pull up in the lane beside me, but she came through me instead.

 

FYI the shop you use can purchase the parts from you.

 

Provide the shop with a pair of stock unbent skirts to use while straightening the 1/4's.
When the skirts fit, it's straight, and vise-versa.

 

Talk to your agent! Read you insurance contract!
That will answer your questions.
DO NOT go to the shop on the approved list! It will be a collision shop that deals with modern cars and replacement parts. That doesn't fly on 1950s cars!
Go to a local car show and find out who does the older stuff in your area. Do***ent your time and who are the good shops.

 

It's your insurance company's duty to fight the other driver's insurance co. A restoration shop with a good reputation may be your best bet.

How about these guys:

www.whitepost.com

 

I sure hope you can find a shop to resurrect your favorite car.

It pains me to think of something like this happening to me.

best wishes!

 

It's against the law here in Conn. for Ins. company to steer you to a shop.

 

A few years ago I had to deal with an insurance company. My OT truck was hit by a boat and trailer in a parking lot. My truck was parked. When I told them I wanted a new door, they balked. I stood my ground and insisted. When it was all over I had the new door and it cost them about $4,000.00 more for a rental truck for the extended time they screwed around insisting on skinning the old one.

P.S. Get in good with the service writer, that helped tremendously to get it done right.

 

man im sorry to see that, glad you were ok. let me know if you need anything.............john