My Elantra fell off the lift!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter jon R
  • Start date Start date
J

jon R

I brought my 2001 Elantra GT in for a tire rotation and it fell off the
lift! (Unf&*(%$ing believable.)It's probably totalled, though not yet
officially estimated. (Twisted frame...lots of body damage, not to mention
potential mechanical damage...at least I don't think I could ever feel safe
driving it again.) It had 52,000 miles, 5-speed, no ABS, no sunroof. Any
opinions on what a fair settlement might be? Thanks.
 
jon R said:
I brought my 2001 Elantra GT in for a tire rotation and it fell off the
lift! (Unf&*(%$ing believable.)It's probably totalled, though not yet
officially estimated. (Twisted frame...lots of body damage, not to mention
potential mechanical damage...at least I don't think I could ever feel safe
driving it again.) It had 52,000 miles, 5-speed, no ABS, no sunroof. Any
opinions on what a fair settlement might be? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Err, and this was where?
 
I brought my 2001 Elantra GT in for a tire rotation and it fell off the
lift! (Unf&*(%$ing believable.)It's probably totalled, though not yet
officially estimated. (Twisted frame...lots of body damage, not to mention
potential mechanical damage...at least I don't think I could ever feel safe
driving it again.) It had 52,000 miles, 5-speed, no ABS, no sunroof. Any
opinions on what a fair settlement might be? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'd have a lawyer making sure somebody from that shop was buying me a
new car.
 
Surely they are paying for a rental car for you till their insurance
comes through?
 
I brought my 2001 Elantra GT in for a tire rotation and it fell off the
lift! (Unf&*(%$ing believable.)It's probably totalled, though not yet
officially estimated. (Twisted frame...lots of body damage, not to mention
potential mechanical damage...at least I don't think I could ever feel safe
driving it again.) It had 52,000 miles, 5-speed, no ABS, no sunroof. Any
opinions on what a fair settlement might be? Thanks.
==============
Click to expand...

I know that doing your own maintenance isn't for everyone,
but the above is one more reason I rotate my own!

S25
 
Look for simular model less miles .extended warrentee. plus car rental
reimbusement also ckeck tires on replacement also service records .make
sure replacement was not in any accidents.....
 
Yep, I agree with the below reply...

Go for a new car. If they will not settle for a new car at least reject the
first -2- offers they give you on the one they totaled.
 
FloridaSponge said:
Yep, I agree with the below reply...

Go for a new car. If they will not settle for a new car at least reject the
first -2- offers they give you on the one they totaled.
Click to expand...

The goal should to be make him whole, not to win the lottery. One's
time is worth something, to be sure, but it'd need to be worth a WHOLE
LOT to justify replacing a car with 50,000+ miles on it with a brand
new one. I'd say a 2001 model (which will likely have fewer miles) as
a replacement, plus equivalent warranty and rental and other expenses,
would suffice.
 
Yes, they are paying for a rental. They said they were going to look at the
car but still haven't.

Here was one of my thoughts but I don't want to short-change myself:

I looked on Kelly BlueBook site for the "retail" price of an similarly
equiped Elentra GT with 53000 miles. It came up to $9030. Then I add to
that tax of $610 and round up for incidentals such as title transfers, etc.
and come to something like $10,000. Yet, inside I do feel that they owe mw
something for the inconvenience and hassle? More thoughts?

Anyway I'll keep you all informed...
 
This is where the legal system fails. The mechanic had a responsibility to
his customer. He was a "professional" hired to work on the car. Making it
"whole" is a legal cop out. It's sad that will probably be all Jon gets
(blue book). A typical legal set up is for the insurance to make a low
offer, then delay payment for as long as possible while Jon has to hire a
lawyer who will take more than 30% of the settlement. In the end he may be
lucky to get 40% of the car's value. Another used car may be OK if it
includes the 100K warranty, but if you get a used one, the warranty only
goes to 60K.

I sincerely hope the shop does well by Jon and gives him good customer
service. If he has to resort to the legal system keep in mind the most
corrupt part of our society is the legal system.
 
kurtis Harrison said:
This is where the legal system fails. The mechanic had a responsibility to
his customer. He was a "professional" hired to work on the car. Making it
"whole" is a legal cop out. It's sad that will probably be all Jon gets
(blue book). A typical legal set up is for the insurance to make a low
offer, then delay payment for as long as possible while Jon has to hire a
lawyer who will take more than 30% of the settlement. In the end he may be
lucky to get 40% of the car's value. Another used car may be OK if it
includes the 100K warranty, but if you get a used one, the warranty only
goes to 60K.

I sincerely hope the shop does well by Jon and gives him good customer
service. If he has to resort to the legal system keep in mind the most
corrupt part of our society is the legal system.
Click to expand...

I think this is going to depend entirely upon the shop's insurance company.
When my wife and kids were rear-ended by a guy with Geico, we were paid full
retail value for the car in 3 business days. They even compensated us for
the groceries in the trunk that were lost.
 
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