Yesterday exiting the Garden State Parkway northbound coming off of the Driscoll Bridge a girl in a Civic cut over two lanes from the right lane (440 Staten Island) going to the left Lane (Route 9), I was in the middle lane (Route 287). As she came across I stood on the brakes and could not help from hitting her as she entered the lane in front of me. Swerving was not an option due to the other cars around us. The right front of my car impacted the left rear of her car. The police arrived and took our info. She admitted fault and the troopers confirmed that the accident was her fault. My thoughts are all over the place on this from acceptance, to anger, to sadness. I'm heartbroken because the car was my baby and I tried so hard to keep that black paint as beautiful as it could be.
In the meantime my thoughts and questions relate to insurance. My wife is a CPA hired by insurance companies to value claims (things bigger than car accidents) but she told me that we should fight for extra money for "diminished value"; because of the other girl's actions, no matter how well my car is fixed, I can not sell/trade it for exactly the same amount of money as a car that had not been in an accident. Factor into that the fact that S2000's are appreciating (at best) and at least holding their value (at worst), this is a low mileage car, I take it to car shows and club events, this is even more appropriate. Does anyone have experience with and can offer advice on diminished value claims?
In the meantime my thoughts and questions relate to insurance. My wife is a CPA hired by insurance companies to value claims (things bigger than car accidents) but she told me that we should fight for extra money for "diminished value"; because of the other girl's actions, no matter how well my car is fixed, I can not sell/trade it for exactly the same amount of money as a car that had not been in an accident. Factor into that the fact that S2000's are appreciating (at best) and at least holding their value (at worst), this is a low mileage car, I take it to car shows and club events, this is even more appropriate. Does anyone have experience with and can offer advice on diminished value claims?