This afternoon at approximately 3:15PM on a crisp clear afternoon, my car was totalled and has been given last rights. An inexperienced teenager in a Dodge truck pulled out in front of me and my car gave its life to save mine. Air bags deployed and the ABS did all it could but there was just not enough time. I cut hard right to avoid a t-bone and caught their back end with my driver's side front. I just needed about 8 more feet and it might have been a miss. At 40 years old, I stood in the middle of the road in front of the only car I truly loved and wept unashamedly. I refuse to get emotionally attached to another car. I am certain that I will not get what the car is worth. What price can be placed on elbow grease and devotion? Yes, I am thankful I am ok. My road buddy gave it's life for me. I can only hope it will be a good organ donor and keep other Corvettes alive. May my 95' white with torch red, rest in peace. It will be missed more than anyone will ever know. I will post pictures on my webpage and maybe post them here. I'll still surf Corvette forum and maybe someday I'll get another, but I need time to get over this. It may seem melodramatic to some of you, but this really hurts.

:cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry

Update 2/27: I am not sure bringing the car to my house was a good thing. I have to see it every time I walk outside. I want to thank ALL OF YOU for the kind words. I sometimes feel silly about the way I feel, but hey, that's just me.
I was told about "collateral exchange" whereby they find a suitable replacement. We'll see if that is an option. Thank you again for the sympathy. :cry :( :)

2/28: Went to the lawyer today and he basically told me I am SOL as far as property. The only obligation the insurance company has is to pay me the value of the car (as determined by THEM) or replace it with a "like or similar kind". That means providing a list of cars from various dealerships and I get one, take it or leave it. No color, option, or performance preference. Just a choice. This is so UNFAIR. Any lawyers out there with a different perspective?


[Modified by Aerovette, 11:59 AM 2/27/2002]


[Modified by Aerovette, 12:05 PM 2/27/2002] :reddevil


[Modified by Aerovette, 12:46 PM 2/28/2002]

 

:sad: Good bye ole' girl! :sad:

 

:sad: :cry :sad: :cry :sad: :cry

 

Sorry Aero!! :sad: That sucks!! :(

 

what a shame. Such a beautiful machine and interior. Will insurance help alleviate the situation?

 

By the time I got home from being checked over in the hospital, their insurance company was closed. I did an Edmunds.com price check for true market value. In August when I bought the car it was over $20k, now it has dropped to anout $18300. I assume that the insurance will pay about the same, but I have only made 5 payments so I am sure I'll get screwed somehow. I will be in touch with someone about it tomorrow. Right now I am just trying to absorb what happened. The pictures don't do the car justice. It is/was truly beautiful.

 

Man that really sucks, I don't think I'd be able to control myself with the other driver.
Good luck with the insurance and hope to see you with another soon.

 

Aero,
Sorry about the loss. :cry :( But at least your alright. Good Luck with the insurance company. And hope you have a new vette really soon. :(


[Modified by KJB21, 12:42 PM 2/27/2002]

 

sorry about your loss,but i know love will come again.

 

:nonod: :sad: :(

 

I know what you mean. If I wreck it because of something stupid I do, that's fine. If I wreck it because of something somebody else does.. Well I'm getting a Vette back, and he's paying for it. That's some real B.S. that somebody can total your car for you and then nobody have any obligation to replace it for you.

MHO on the situation is that if somebody screws up your vehicle their insurance should have to REPLACE it. Not just give you book value for it, because it's never enough. What does it matter to them, they can just jack up his rates to compensate for it.

At least you are alright. :flag

 

touching, and my sympanthy goes out to you. I am sure with your next vette in hand it will get alittle eaiser.

 

Feel sorry for you, sure is a shame.

 

So sorry to hear that. Last October a 20 year old girl ran a red light and totaled my Blazer on my way to work. When I would tell someone that I was in an accident the first words out of their mouths was always "OMG it wasn't the Vette was it?" They know how attached I am to mine and I'm sure had it been the Vette my reaction would have been the exact same as yours. Good Luck man, let us know how things turn out with the insurance.

 

That's very bad news indeed. :( As far as insurance, you should get sales tax included in the settlement. I've been lucky. Both cars I've had totaled, paid more in insurance than they were worth. I hope you get more than you think.

 

remember his insurance adjuster is a salesman for the insurance co. its his job to save them money. DONT SETTLE FOR LESS THAN YOU NEED! if it will take you 20k to replace your car then dont settle for less than 20k. the insurance co will only screw you if you let them. most of the time they are pretty good to work with. since it was the other guys fault and all...

 

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I can't imagine what I would do if my car had been wrecked. It's like, it was taken from you due to no fault of your own, and that is really devastating. A similar thing happened to my fiance, he sold his 90 383 polo/tan 6spd with about $25k invested to a young guy in NC. A few days later the guy was in an accident and the car was completely totalled. I was literally sick to my stomach. Apparently, some girl ran a stop sign across a 4 lane highway and he T-boned her at 60mph. Amazingly, he was unhurt, except for a small cut on his head. She was ejected out the window and was in serious condition for awhile....and it's horrible but I thought "good!". Your car did the best it could for you, and protected you well. It must have been returning the favor for all the love you gave it. Vettes seem to be pretty darn safe cars. I have rarely heard of anyone more than minorly hurt in an accident in one. But I feel for you, sorry again :( ...

 

[QUOTE What price can be placed on elbow grease and devotion?
:cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry :cry [/QUOTE]

You are so correct :sad: You cannot put a $ amount on the detailing and cleaning to get your Corvette perfect, the way you want it. I could not even imagine the hours and time I have spent pulling the wheels and detailing the suspension and rims. I spent over 8 hours last Saturday in my garage just doing the interior. Of course it is therapy and cheaper than a shrink but still hard work. I can understand your frustration and :mad but time will heal. Thank goodness you are ok and I hope that you can find a replacement for your loss.
Regards,
Mark :seeya

 

So sorry to hear that. :sad: :nonod:

 

All I can say is...go for enough money to get yourself a 96LT4.

I've never lost a car, and cant imagine what that must feel like, but I know its gotta be one of the worst feelings. Im just glad to hear that you are alright.

Get yourself another vette as soon as you can, you deserve it.