Hey guys,

Some of you may have followed the "My 300D is probably totaled thread".

If not, here is a quick refresher: I was rearended at about 25mph by a really intimidating, shady character. I got some contact information and a plate, but he would not share his drivers license or insurance info. I didn't get the cops involved at the scene (stupidly).

After giving him a call the next day threatening a civil suit if he didn't co-operate, he coughed up some insurance and drivers license. He is Arabic, and I believe how he behaved at the scene is explained as a cultural difference -- he was very scared of getting screwed over.

Anywho, we met today at a nice, well attended coffee shop, exchanged info, and filled out matching accident reports. I contacted his Insurance (Geico) and went to see an adjuster this afternoon. He was initially uncooperative untill I let him know I was playing hard ball. After a half hour of yelling, frustration and intervention by the owner of the body shop the adjuster worked from, I got him to recognize every ounce of damage on the rear of the car from the accident. $4150 worth!

They want to total my car and give me nothing! I haven't gotten the report yet, but a company called CCC will be apprasing my car based on the prices of 300Ds selling right now. I am they will try to give me close to $2500. We will see. Only thing I am sure of is it will be low.

I have a bill of sale from six months ago for $4500, another $2000 in non maintenance mechanics bills within the last 6 months, a $900 reciept for a transmission from exactly one year ago, $700 reciept for a WVO conversion, and a $600 reciept for a stereo. That is about $8500 worth of reciepts within the last year.

I am thinking about fighting for $4000, totaling it, buying it back, fixing it myself with the help of a body shop, and pocketing the difference.

What should I do? How do I fight this? What are my rights? Any advice appreciated!

Cassidy

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Cassidy
1982 MB 300DT - Running Great @ 104K!

1972 MB 220D - RIP @ ~200K (Dropped prechamber)
1992 MB 190E 2.6 - SOLD @ 145K