What is the name of your state: GA.
Going straight though an intersection, a left-turning pickup front-ended my girlfriend's car. Insurance totaled it. They said the ACV is ~$19,000 (which seems slightly low, but not too far off). She owes ~$23,500 but has GAP insurance, so not much worry there. The damages hardly appear as though they would cost $10,000 to fix, but I'm not an insurance adjuster.
Here's the problem: since getting the car two years ago her financial situation has deteriorated (read: no down payment for a new car and a low credit score). Getting into a replacement car is going to very difficult and said replacement will most likely be of much lesser quality (and safety). Personally I would call it a blessing in disguise - instant debt elimination and lower monthly expenses, but we're not talking about me here.
The insurance company (which is the same as the other driver's) offered $1,000 for 'pain an suffering'. While her injuries were minor, she is in fragile health and now depressed and stressing over the whole situation (with a suppressed immune system the stress could have negative heath implications in the long-run).
Don't mis-interpret that last paragraph, she's not wanting to be opportunistic and does not want to hire an attorney and win a huge settlement, she simply wishes to be made whole again, i.e., have the ability to get back into a similar vehicle.
The way I see it, she can try to get insurance to repair the car (which would be the outcome she would be most happy with), but from what I understand this is a long shot; or she can try to negotiate for a larger 'pain and suffering' settlement. But outside of these options is there any recourse to achieve the goal of being able to dive a safe an reliable car again? I'm talking about modest help with a down payment, nothing outrageous or predatory.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Going straight though an intersection, a left-turning pickup front-ended my girlfriend's car. Insurance totaled it. They said the ACV is ~$19,000 (which seems slightly low, but not too far off). She owes ~$23,500 but has GAP insurance, so not much worry there. The damages hardly appear as though they would cost $10,000 to fix, but I'm not an insurance adjuster.
Here's the problem: since getting the car two years ago her financial situation has deteriorated (read: no down payment for a new car and a low credit score). Getting into a replacement car is going to very difficult and said replacement will most likely be of much lesser quality (and safety). Personally I would call it a blessing in disguise - instant debt elimination and lower monthly expenses, but we're not talking about me here.
The insurance company (which is the same as the other driver's) offered $1,000 for 'pain an suffering'. While her injuries were minor, she is in fragile health and now depressed and stressing over the whole situation (with a suppressed immune system the stress could have negative heath implications in the long-run).
Don't mis-interpret that last paragraph, she's not wanting to be opportunistic and does not want to hire an attorney and win a huge settlement, she simply wishes to be made whole again, i.e., have the ability to get back into a similar vehicle.
The way I see it, she can try to get insurance to repair the car (which would be the outcome she would be most happy with), but from what I understand this is a long shot; or she can try to negotiate for a larger 'pain and suffering' settlement. But outside of these options is there any recourse to achieve the goal of being able to dive a safe an reliable car again? I'm talking about modest help with a down payment, nothing outrageous or predatory.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
