Car accident - need advice

[FarmDisney]

My husband and three oldest kids were in a car accident a week ago. The other driver pulled right out in front of our van while my husband was going 65 mph. The other driver admits liability and the police report indicates that the other driver is at fault.

Aside from some broken bones, bumps, and bruises, everyone is okay. Thank goodness for our safe minivan! I loved my Honda Odyssey!

The minivan is most likely totalled - still waiting to get things sorted out with the insurance company. We are needing an 8 passenger vehicle - we have a little surprise due in January. We are hoping to take the insurance money and buy a used car. We are looking at the Toyota Sequoia or a Suburban. The Honda Pilot is out because it's just too small for 8 people.

Any advice on getting a new to us vehicle? Any idea how long it takes for the insurance company to settle with us?

Thanks for any help.

 

[leebee]

I really can't offer much help with a vehicle, but wanted to say I'm glad nobody was seriously hurt and CONGRATS on the "January surprise!" I have had my cars totaled twice (both times I'd loaned them to roommates- never learn, huh?) and as I recall, I had the insurance checks fairly quickly; within a month, for sure. I know, that's a long time with only one car! Just keep on the insurance company, so there's a quick appraisal and things keep moving. Good luck with this- not tongue-in-cheek, but genuine good luck! Even in the frustration and confusion of what's going on, you must be so thankful that your kids and DH are OK!!

 

[disfan07]

My car was totaled back in 2008. The accident occured on a Tuesday and my mom bought a car for me on Saturday. It only took about 3 days for us to find out what we were getting for the car but there was no question about my car being totaled. The entire front was crushed both inside and out.

 

[herdtoDisney]

My husband and three oldest kids were in a car accident a week ago. The other driver pulled right out in front of our van while my husband was going 65 mph. The other driver admits liability and the police report indicates that the other driver is at fault.

Aside from some broken bones, bumps, and bruises, everyone is okay. Thank goodness for our safe minivan! I loved my Honda Odyssey!

The minivan is most likely totalled - still waiting to get things sorted out with the insurance company. We are needing an 8 passenger vehicle - we have a little surprise due in January. We are hoping to take the insurance money and buy a used car. We are looking at the Toyota Sequoia or a Suburban. The Honda Pilot is out because it's just too small for 8 people.

Any advice on getting a new to us vehicle? Any idea how long it takes for the insurance company to settle with us?

Thanks for any help.

Oh, my! I'm glad your family is ok!

I have 5 kids, and I have a Chevy Astrovan. It seats 8. Only thing is, they stopped making them in 2005 so all of them are rather used. Mine is a 1998 we got in 2005. I chose it over a Suburban for the reason of ease of entry for my short self and the kids. It's lower to the ground and taller inside. I have AWD so it's decent in the snow. I really love my van, it's great for the family that's just a tad over regular mini-van size!

 

[elmo2wdw]

We had an acident on July 8th and our van was totaled. We had to keep contacting the insurance company because we had heard nothing. Finally they told this week that they wanted to fix it with over $14000 damage (it was an 07 with 65000 miles). We told them no way!!!! We want it totaled. So they are processing it now and hopefully we will have a check next week.

PS - We bought the new vehicle the day after the accident. We cannot survive with only on car and 3 kids in sports and scouts.

Good luck and keep after the insurance company.

 

[dfchelbay]

I have no personal experience with this van, but I have seen on Jon & Kate Plus 8 that they drive a Dodge Sprinter and it's big enough for ten people.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I'm sorry for your accident, but just wanted to give you my experience. I had an accident in a Honda Accord several years ago. Thankfully, DS and I were fine, but the car never got totaled. The police at the scene was sure it would be, the tow truck drive told me as he pulled away with my car "be looking for a new car, this one's totaled"............but since my car was fairly new and was still worth a lot, the price to fix it was less than the price of the car....and the insurance company refused to total it.

We waited the weeks and weeks to fix it..........but honestly, it was never the same after that and we traded it in about a week after we got it back. Got less for the trade in too because it was previously in an accident.

Point of my story---push hard for them to total it.

 

[bear_mom]

When our car was totalled we had a determination within a few days and check not too much longer after that. I think we had our new car two weeks later - but we spent a lot of time figuring out what kind of car to buy.

Any reason you can't stay with the Odyssey? Our is an 8 passenger and we have carried 8 passengers before - 4 adults, 1 teenage boy, and 3 children (8-10 years old) and were pretty comfortable.

We test drove the Sequoia when were looking for a new vehicle and it was nice. From what I am remembering, there was more room in the Odyssey (we were looking for room for our 60 pound dog to lay when travelling plus room for our luggage - if the luggage is in the back, then the dog can't be). We didn't look at the Suburban at all, so I can't help you there.

Emily

 

[herdtoDisney]

I have no personal experience with this van, but I have seen on Jon & Kate Plus 8 that they drive a Dodge Sprinter and it's big enough for ten people.

I have friends who have one and love it. It's narrower and taller than a typical van, that's how it seats so many.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I can't make any suggestions on new vehicles...but I can remind you that any car seat that was in your vehicle at the time of the accident (including booster seats!) needs to be replaced and the other person's insurance company should be paying for it!

If there were seats in there, and they are replaced but the insurance company doesn't take them from you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sure to remove the covers (the covers CAN be reused or sold), cut all harness straps, remove any other pieces you can, write 'CRASHED - DO NOT USE' on it before recycling (if your area does this) or put in a non-see through bag...so no one takes it from the curb and tried to use it.

 

[5kwallace]

I love my Toyota Sequoia! It has a ton of room. It drives like a car and rides very smooth. I wouldn't want any other vehicle.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

My son totaled his Camry back in 2007. He had just dropped the collision 3 weeks prior since it was a 1999. He was under 25 & the rates were just too high for him to continue. The insurance company took just a week to give us the information.... but then again, that was because they weren't paying out anything to delay it...

my sister's son, he totaled his car & it took several weeks for the insurance company to get back to them... they were paying out.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Oh, my! I'm glad your family is ok!

I have 5 kids, and I have a Chevy Astrovan. It seats 8. Only thing is, they stopped making them in 2005 so all of them are rather used. Mine is a 1998 we got in 2005. I chose it over a Suburban for the reason of ease of entry for my short self and the kids. It's lower to the ground and taller inside. I have AWD so it's decent in the snow. I really love my van, it's great for the family that's just a tad over regular mini-van size!

I don't have one and generally don't like Chevy but my friend has one and it's great. We used to pile all of our kids in it together and go to the park. There are 6 kids between us and no one was squished.

I'm so glad your family is ok.

 

[FINFAN]

to you...DH ws in a 4 car pile up last week., generally ok but still suffering from neck/back issues. Kids insurance? IL minimum, not enough to cover 4 cars he smashed. deicded to go thru ours, get the deductible back thru kids ins...thought our car was fixable but looks like they plan to total it which is a BIG problem for us..had low miles, great condition but a 2000 Pontiac...they are saying will cost more to fix than value. Salvage price to buy it back is nuts...what I want to know is who covers the tax we will now need if we find a car thru a dealer...DS is way bummed as he was going to be using that car, turns 16 in a few weeks, now he can't even use it to take his test in. I am guessing we will be about 1800-12200 short on what they give us to get something equal ( if we can find it) to DH's car. That was his first new car, ever...however, quite glad on it's size, if he was in a compact, even a mid-size...

 

[shanasbananas]

I can't answer your real question as to what type of vehicle to get, we only have 2 kids so have never even ventured into the "van world"...

BUT, I will say to STAY ON THE INSURANCE COMPANY. My boss bought a brand new BMW last year and was in an accident 3 weeks later that SHOULD have totalled his new car. Well, since the dealer/mechanic told him it was beyond repair, over a week later he paid cash again for another new one, exactly the same. He didn't hear from the insurance company for almost a MONTH and figured they would pay him out after fighting with the insurance company of the person who hit him, because it was the other guy's fault. But, in the end the other guy's insurance company insisted on getting it fixed because it was such an expensive car and the repairs were going to cost half of the purchase price. Unfortunately, the car never drove the same and always leaked fluids. He ended up selling it back to the dealer for about half of what he paid and had to take the guy's insurance company to court. They finally settled and paid him a quarter of what it was worth to recover half (of the half) he lost from the accident. The moral of the story is that he shouldn't have counted his chickens before they hatched (and bought the new car) BUT the lesson is that you might have to keep on the insurance company because they will always do what's best for them. And don't sign off on anything if they want to fix it w/o consulting a lawyer. They may never get it back the way it was and if you sign off, they don't have to do anything beyond the initial repairs (like fix reoccuring leaks, sounds, etc).

Good luck and I'm glad your family is safe. That's the best part!

 

[akcire]

If there were broken bones in this accident. Your family member is due a settlement for their medical bills, pain and suffering. If things are not progressing well--threaten to get a lawyer.

 

[thebeesknees]

My friend has a Suburban and hates it. She said she's been stuck more than once in a parking lot because she didn't have enough room to back out after other people parked around her. We've rented one before and that thing is HUGE! It had plenty of room, but I was never the one who had to park it. Plus, the gas mileage is pretty bad on them, too.

I'm glad they were all OK. Hope you get it sorted out with the insurance company soon!

 

[Kathi OD]

If there were broken bones in this accident. Your family member is due a settlement for their medical bills, pain and suffering. If things are not progressing well--threaten to get a lawyer.

that would depend on your state and the specifics of YOUR insurance policy.

 

[badblackpug]

We have a Nissan Armada.

http://www.nissanusa.com/armada/

 

[torinsmom]

Talk to your insurance agent about what is going on. Did an adjuster come out and look at your van yet? After they look at it, they should be able to tell you fairly quickly if it is totalled and how much they will pay you. If it is not agreeable to you, you can also appeal the amount. The other person's car insurance should also be paying for a rental car/van for you until everything is settled. Your agent can help with that as well.

It sounds like there were injuries. In that case, you should get some money for medical costs as well as pain and suffering and missed days of work, etc. When I had a similar situation(other driver at fault), I wrote a letter to the other insurance company with a request for what I believed was a fair amount. My dad is an insurance agent and he said the normal "settlement" is total medical bill + lost wages + 50% of total medical bills for pain and suffering. That is the amount I asked for and the other company was willing to settle a few days after they got my request. We didn't have enough injuries to get an attorney.

Oh, and I would pick a Sienna or Odyssey over a Suburban. I don't know how anyone drives those things! I hate parking beside one--they block my whole view. I call them "TANKS".

Marsha