need help

jdmcrx · Post by **jdmcrx** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:11 pm

My friend just got t-boned(17 year old ran a red light, that was red for over 30 seconds at 10pm), his car is totaled. He had just recently paid off the car (2005 rx8 that was in showroom condition). He is the problem, he is scared that the insurance company is only going to give him half of what he payed for the car. He doesnt want to sue the people for a large sum of money, all he wants is his baby back. Has anyone been in this possition, what did you do, and what was the outcome. Anybody with a legal backgound advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advanced to everyone.
matt

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:15 pm

well its his fault for running the red light yeah?

the other car should be suing him IMO

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:16 pm

He'll get fair market value for the car from the insurance company that covers the person that t-boned him. Any more than that and he's gonna have to fire up a civil suit and go that route. The insurance company will look at NADA/KBB, figure a total up and cut him a check. In theory he SHOULD have enough money to go out and find a good RX8(similar mileage and condition) and buy it on the spot.

jdmcrx · Post by **jdmcrx** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:19 pm

Brent wrote:well its his fault for running the red light yeah?

the other car should be suing him IMO

She ran the red light, sorry should have cleared that up.
matt

Brent · Post by **Brent** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:55 pm

oh, the other car did, yeah, sue em

JC · Post by JC » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:11 pm

jdmcrx wrote:My friend just got t-boned(17 year old ran a red light, that was red for over 30 seconds at 10pm), his car is totaled. He had just recently paid off the car (2005 rx8 that was in showroom condition). He is the problem, he is scared that the insurance company is only going to give him half of what he payed for the car. He doesnt want to sue the people for a large sum of money, all he wants is his baby back. Has anyone been in this possition, what did you do, and what was the outcome. Anybody with a legal backgound advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advanced to everyone.
matt

What your friend paid for the car and what the car is worth are two totally different things.

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:15 pm

Yeah if you paid 10,000 for the car back a few years ago... and today its worth only 5,000 then they will likely only give you the value of the car which would be 5,000 regardless of what you paid for it...now if you put extra's in it and can't them back off then some will pay for those extra's you had.

If you want more out of the car from which you paid then yes you will likely have to take the other car owners to court for it and force them to pay out of pocket or against their insurance company...but you most likely won't win as thats just how it works.. you get the value of it TODAY..not a few years ago.