Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-(
Thread Starter
LS/MFT
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Cary IL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-(
Yesterday (Sunday) was the first really nice day this year in Chicago, so my son and I took our '90 out for a drive with top down -- were only going out for a short drive. Stopped in light traffic and got rear-ended by a drunk driver. Guy was taken off in hancuffs :nopity
Damage report: torn rear bumper cover, three stress cracks in left quarter. Can the quarter be repaired or will they have to replace the 'glass for the whole rear end (converts have one-piece fiberglass from door-to-door)?
:cry
Damage report: torn rear bumper cover, three stress cracks in left quarter. Can the quarter be repaired or will they have to replace the 'glass for the whole rear end (converts have one-piece fiberglass from door-to-door)?
:cry
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Joppa Md
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
Sorry to hear that...I was hit head on by one a few years back. I hope both of you are OK...( you and your son) :) .
I know we love our cars...mine was a mint 5.0 ex trooper pursuit car...totaled. But they can be replaced. :thumbs:
I know we love our cars...mine was a mint 5.0 ex trooper pursuit car...totaled. But they can be replaced. :thumbs:
Spending his inheritance
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 0
From: If the RV's arock'n, don't come aknock'n FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
I hope he had insurance. He probably won't after this.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 191
From: Orange County California
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (OURRUBY)
That sucks. I was just rearended in my Acura by an uninsured, unregistered moron last eek. I tried to get him to pay my dedectible. He wouldnt, now we are going to court for a lot more than that. I'm so glad it wasnt the vette though. The police cited the other guy with 3 tickets so i know ill win. I hope you car can be put back together good as new.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
sorry to hear about your mishap..but most importantly is that nobody got hurt. Drunk drivers..don't even get me started :rant::mad
As for your vert...I would replace all that was affected by the collision and make sure your insurance rep knows that you won't take anything less.
JJL
As for your vert...I would replace all that was affected by the collision and make sure your insurance rep knows that you won't take anything less.
JJL
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1
From: "Drive like Hell, you'll get there faster." Tucson AZ
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
Sux d00d. Stupid azz drunk driver had to hit a vette. It could be any f**** car on the road.........why a vette? :mad
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 3
From: Esko MN
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Steven P)
First of all, it sounds like you and your son are uninjured for which you can be grateful.
Secondly, let's hope the guy has insurance. If he doesn't, your collision coverage will take care of you minus your deductible and you can take the other driver to small claims court for that.
Thirdly, what the insurance company owes you is exactly what you had. A 1990 bumper cover and whatever other parts were damaged beyond repair all painted the same color yours was. One thing they will give you that is more than what you had is when it's painted you won't have those scratches and dings you had before you got hit. Just don't expect to get a better car than what you had out of it. You had a used car with a used bumper cover and used quarter panels.
Make sure you have it checked out by a qualified Vette body man and a qualified Vette mechanic. You may need a rear wheel alignment and some other little things that may not be obvious right now.
Secondly, let's hope the guy has insurance. If he doesn't, your collision coverage will take care of you minus your deductible and you can take the other driver to small claims court for that.
Thirdly, what the insurance company owes you is exactly what you had. A 1990 bumper cover and whatever other parts were damaged beyond repair all painted the same color yours was. One thing they will give you that is more than what you had is when it's painted you won't have those scratches and dings you had before you got hit. Just don't expect to get a better car than what you had out of it. You had a used car with a used bumper cover and used quarter panels.
Make sure you have it checked out by a qualified Vette body man and a qualified Vette mechanic. You may need a rear wheel alignment and some other little things that may not be obvious right now.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Greg Johnson)
At least the ins company wont have a hard time figuring out who's fault it is. People like this usually don't have insurance. My roommate lost his license with a DUI and continued driving for 6 months. :mad ( I didn't know until he told me afterwards)
Check underneath the rear end.. the vette frame is a contraption of structures bolted together. If these slide around, you'll need an entire chassis realignment from a Corvette specialty shop. If you don't get it done, it will be comparable to driving on a bent frame.
So.. you're saying they should replace it with a used bumper cover and quarter panels? :rolleyes: Maybe they could scrape the paint off the old one and glue it to the replacment ones while they're at it. I think all parts should be replaced as new, and repainted with a quality finish. Why should someone have to drive around a patched up vette with mismaching paint or old urethane panels because a drunk hit him? And who's to say his parts were as used as the next guys? I don't have dings and scratches all over my car because I take care of it as much as I can.
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 3:54 AM 3/18/2003]
Check underneath the rear end.. the vette frame is a contraption of structures bolted together. If these slide around, you'll need an entire chassis realignment from a Corvette specialty shop. If you don't get it done, it will be comparable to driving on a bent frame.
Just don't expect to get a better car than what you had out of it. You had a used car with a used bumper cover and used quarter panels.
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 3:54 AM 3/18/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Lexington NC
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
Sorry to hear that, I couldn't imagine how upset I would be. When will America stop riding the tobacco companies butts and put Budweiser out of business??
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Baldwinsville NY
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
:mad :mad just reading about drunk drivers makes my blood boil :mad .
I've even seen some people on these boards say things about "just having a few" and bit my tongue. Yep, when I was 17 and stupid I know there were a few times when I was close to the edge but I will never understand how somebody that is supposedly mature can drive drunk unless they are an alcoholic, which is another matter altogether. Sorry for the :rant:
Make sure you get EVERYthing replaced, not repaired. And, although people kid about it, neck injuries from things like this can wait a while to show up. You might want to get a checkup, along with your son, in case you start to feel it in a few weeks. Glad you didn't get seriously hurt.... :cry about the car. Couldn't happen in your winter rat, right? :lol:
I've even seen some people on these boards say things about "just having a few" and bit my tongue. Yep, when I was 17 and stupid I know there were a few times when I was close to the edge but I will never understand how somebody that is supposedly mature can drive drunk unless they are an alcoholic, which is another matter altogether. Sorry for the :rant:
Make sure you get EVERYthing replaced, not repaired. And, although people kid about it, neck injuries from things like this can wait a while to show up. You might want to get a checkup, along with your son, in case you start to feel it in a few weeks. Glad you didn't get seriously hurt.... :cry about the car. Couldn't happen in your winter rat, right? :lol:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
If I needed to replace my rear bumper, I would get the newer style rear end (91-96) and pay the small difference in labour costs. The bumpers and materials should cost the same. Just a thought. Glad to hear you and your son are ok.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (89CONV)
There is a 'crush structure' behind the bumber cover. It will minimize the look of the damage.
BE SURE they replace that structure with a BRAND NEW one, NOT!! a used one that may have survived fairly intact.
Your's was "as new" before this happened and you should have the same level of quality/design you had before the incident.
Raise cane if you have to, the insurance company, yours or his, WILL try to shortcut you.
BE SURE they replace that structure with a BRAND NEW one, NOT!! a used one that may have survived fairly intact.
Your's was "as new" before this happened and you should have the same level of quality/design you had before the incident.
Raise cane if you have to, the insurance company, yours or his, WILL try to shortcut you.
Thread Starter
LS/MFT
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,874
Likes: 0
From: Cary IL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Re: Hit by a Drunk Driver ;-( (Vette73)
Thanks to everyone who wished us well -- yes we are both unhurt. And thanks to everyone who sent me an email offering info on Chicago area shops which do good Corvette work. I've got my own preference -- a shop I've had Corvette work done at before.
Now I just have to wait on the other driver's insurance. It's American Family; I spoke to the adjuster today, and he said he has not heard from his insured yet, and needs to speak to him to get his side of the story (huh?). He says that he has not been able to reach him. I offered that perhaps the reason is that this is his second DUI in three months, and he might still be IN JAIL! Hopefully he'll get back to me tomorrow.
Now I just have to wait on the other driver's insurance. It's American Family; I spoke to the adjuster today, and he said he has not heard from his insured yet, and needs to speak to him to get his side of the story (huh?). He says that he has not been able to reach him. I offered that perhaps the reason is that this is his second DUI in three months, and he might still be IN JAIL! Hopefully he'll get back to me tomorrow.