Author Topic: Cuda before/after Big Rig  (Read 31169 times)

Offline FY1Cuda

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1493
Cuda before/after Big Rig
« on: February 13, 2011 - 09:54:49 PM »
Here are a couple of shots of our Cuda taken about a half mile and unknown thousands of dollars apart.  Saturday a big rig changed lanes (literally) on top of it causing it to skid from the #4 lane over to the #1 lane where it hit a Toyota which knocked it back over to the right shoulder.  My son has a sore shoulder and arm but otherwise is okay and probably lucky to be alive.
I have Hagerty's classic car insurance on it, the truck driver was deemed to be 100% responsible for the collision, and I meet with the adjuster tomorrow or Tuesday, but I have a few questions about what I should expect.
First of all, we intend to keep the car, but would they give us a settlement to repair it ourselves?  I know if a regular car gets bashed, the insurance company cuts a check to a body shop, but what's the protocol for repairing a "classic" car?  Would they "total" a car like this and then allow us to buy it back as a salvage?
I'm thinking that with a car with a lot of interesting options (overhead console, leather seats, light pkg, etc) that the threshold cost for totaling the car would have to be high, or can we expect to get low-balled by the truck company's insurance?  Can I expect Hagerty to fight the good fight?  I'd really like to hear from anyone who has gone through anything like this so we know what to expect.




Offline brads70

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 18747
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:06:54 PM »
 :puke:  Oh man! I'm glad your both OK! I so hate to see this! Keep your chin up!
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline 67vertman

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5125
  • Member since 9-23-2005
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:12:01 PM »
 :scared: WTF!  :scared:

I am glad you are OK.  as for the car.....I hope it can be fixed!  it looks to have some serious damage.



Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline LAA66

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1669
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:44:46 PM »
  Frame looks to be tweeked from the picture. Hope I'm wrong. :(
 Glad your all OK, that's the most important thing. What a shame.

Offline AARCUDADEN

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:48:15 PM »
:scared: WTF!  :scared:

I am glad you are OK.  as for the car.....I hope it can be fixed!  it looks to have some serious damage.
My thoughts exlackly   :eek4: I too have Hagerty and i had a claim through them a couple of years ago with my Dart Sport. I was givin the option to have it repaired by a body shop of my choice or do the work myself. I chose to do it myself because i do all my own body work. I can tell you they we awesome to deal with and very professinal and helpful and my claim was handled in a timely matter  :2thumbs: Keep us posted and i really hate to see your car torn up like that  :( My opinion they won't total it but if for some reason they do you have the option to buy it back.
Dennis,Ohio

Offline the_engineers

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 2639
  • Cheap, fast, reliable...pick 2
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:49:49 PM »
Reach out to Sprecks.  He got rear-ended by a soccer mom recently and everything worked out for him.

There was another thread, quasi-recently where someone got hit by a semi also.  Find that as well.
Brooks

1971 'Cuda 360
2004 Infiniti G35 6-spd Coupe
2001 Toyota Solara Convertible
2002 GMC Savana 1500 Explorer Hightop Conversion
1972 Dodge Dart Swinger...keeping the Slant.  Rocking the turbos.

Alaskan_TA

  • Guest
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2011 - 10:51:35 PM »
Ouch!

Very glad that your son is OK.

Offline 72hemi

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4812
  • MEMBER SINCE JANUARY 2006
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2011 - 11:14:49 PM »
Thank God you guys are ok, that looks horrific!
1972 Dodge Challenger 340 6 Pack 4-speed
1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

Offline dodj

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 6197
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2011 - 11:21:29 PM »
Glad to hear your son's not hurt  :2thumbs:, sad to see that your 'cuda's really hurt.  :crying:

I hope you get treated fairly. Go slow, get your son in for a check-up and inspect the car closely.
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline challengermaniac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 891
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2011 - 11:38:51 PM »
First off, glad to hear your son is doing well.  Given it's the other drivers fault, Hagerty won't likely be involved unless it turns out the other driver was uninsured or underinsured.  From the looks of it, I'm going to guess the insurance company will total the car given they won't want to be married to you for a year of reconstruction, meaning they will pay you it's current fair market value which you will need to have imput on in order to make sure it's fair.  Then they will likely be willing to "sell" you back your damaged car for a price that may/should/hopefully be very realistic for you to purchase, but be sure to require that they don't impact the title with "salvage" as it will forever greatly diminish the value of the car even after restoration.  Then, you will likely be able to come out ahead, if you are able to do a lot of the work yourself or have friends that are working within todays economic conditions.

Best of success.   
« Last Edit: February 13, 2011 - 11:44:35 PM by challengermaniac »
Charlie
70 Challenger 340/4 Purple
70 Challenger T/A Red
Edmonds, WA

Offline 4Cruizn

  • Administrator
  • C-C.com Expert
  • *****
  • Posts: 18521
  • HEMI FISH
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2011 - 11:59:25 PM »
OMG I read the whole post before going down to see the pictures . . . it took my breath away!  So sad this has happened to you but as stated . . . glad you are all still alive.  Very sad situation . . .  :walkaway:

Offline FY1Cuda

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1493
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2011 - 12:06:12 AM »
I'm interested in doing the work required if they can make it somewhat worth my time.  We did the whole car ourselves except the exterior paint. That is, we did the body work, interior, and drive train.  We've never hung quarters-we did weld in a new trunk and tail panel.  I think we're up for the challenge, but if it goes to a restoration shop, I could live with that.  I've seen what a fantastic job some locals here have done on their cars: Topcat and 4SpeedFish (who sold his car to someone in Ky) so I know I could get a lot of advice on the work.
I appreciate the sentiments and the info on Hagerty's and insurance settlements in general.  I'll keep you posted.

Offline Topcat

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 15376
  • Member since 9/16/04
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2011 - 12:07:14 AM »
How awful to see what's happened. :22yikes:

 I remember meeting you both at Ohlone a few years ago. Glad to hear he's alright. Hope Haggerty doesn't try and haggle you on the repair.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline Topcat

  • C-C.com Expert
  • ********
  • Posts: 15376
  • Member since 9/16/04
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2011 - 12:11:17 AM »
I'm interested in doing the work required if they can make it somewhat worth my time.
 
We've never hung quarters-we did weld in a new trunk and tail panel.  I think we're up for the challenge, but if it goes to a restoration shop, I could live with that.  I've seen what a fantastic job some locals here have done on their cars:

Topcat and 4SpeedFish (who sold his car to someone in Ky) so I know I could get a lot of advice on the work.


I would be more than happy to come up and visit to help you out on re doing the quarters. PM me if you decide you want to go for it.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline footin70rt

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 286
Re: Cuda before/after Big Rig
« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2011 - 01:08:47 AM »
I hate hearing of anything like this, but glad to hear nobody was seriously hurt. I worked in insurance claims seveal years ago and this is my 2 cents worth. Go through Hagerty to have the car repaired, they specialize in collecter cars and have a better understanding than a carrier that mainly deals with daily driven commuter cars. After the repairs are complete Hagerty will then submit the bill to the other insurance company for reimbursement. Let the Hagerty fight for you, they want to keep your business and they know what it takes to fix your car right.
Thomas
Driving the same 70 R/T since October 1985
Native of Bozeman, MT