JJRodger:

Thank you so much for all your sympathies, I truely appreciate it. Needless to say, I am devastated but, life is life. In any case, I know, feel and understand that my C43 will never be the same -- despite its lengthy stay at the Benz approved, authorized and oft used auto-body shop. It's the best and most expensive shop in the area (Bedford Hills, NY) and is staffed by factory trained MB technicians, etc.

Regarding medical claims: my shoulder hurt for two weeks. But after a couple of really good massages administered by my fiancee, the pain subsided. I don't believe that I will make a medical claim.


Update:

The good news is that the insurance company is taking my "diminished value" claim very seriously. They have admitted twice over the phone that they will pay me for my AMG's diminished value and have their attorneys looking into NY Law on the subject (its neither specifically provided for nor outlawed by statute -- by common law it's an accepted settlement/trial issue). I could have saved their attorneys lots of research time and offered to do so, however, I doubt that they will take me up on my offer. The repairs are being delayed because the insurance co. also wants to send out one of their senior (corporate?) adjusters to analyze the damage to my car.

If, after all their analysis they opt to pay for the repairs necessary to restore my car and then cut me a check for its diminished value (I doubt that I'll accept less than $20,000.00), I'll pay off my MB note, drive the car a bit and then trade it in or sell it for something better. If not, the local Benz dealer claims that he has found another Black '99 C43 with low miles that will be available for the ins. co. to purchase for me in one or two months.

One local dealer estimated that the value of my '99 C43 AMG (Starmarked, under 40K) has been diminished by $23,000.00 as a result of this accident. I would, however, very much appreciate any specific help that any members of this forum could give me in coming up with a firm, provable amount that the value of my C43 has been diminished (If desired, feel free to contact me at my private email address). The fair market value of my car in its pre-accident condition is between $39,000.00 and $43,000.00.


Thanks -- I'll keep you posted!

Marc
99C43 (for 1 hour)
mmclaw@optonline.net