Car Totalled

[Maughan5]

We are in Virginia and we have 5 children. We were hit from behind and the insurance company is declaring our van totalled. The problem is that it is a 1988 Plymouth Voyager and they are only offering 1600.00. How are we supposed to find a vehicle to transport 7 of us with 1600.00. That won't even cover a down payment even if we could afford a car payment. This doesnt seem fair are there any other legal ways to get more than that because our car was driveable and could of probably gone another year at least. We also just put a new transmission in the car 3 years ago. HElp.

 

[Maughan5]

I guess after reading the other posts I have a few more questions. Like I said we are in Va and all 5 of my children were involved in the accident. I was not driving but it was my vehicle. I was out of town and my caregiver was driving. That said I took 4 of the 5 to the doctor they were all hurting in the neck. My 3year old I did not take to the doctor because he has not complained of anything but I guess my question is is he really old enough to tell me if he is hurt? He doesnt seem to be complaining about anything. The other thing is the doctor wants me to get neck x-rays for 3 of them but my 12 year old daughter who was closer to impact he is sending to the bone doctor because she has a knot on her knee that hit the seat in front of her and she also is complaing about pain in her ankle and the top of her ribs as well as her neck and collar bone. Am I being paranoid or are these reasonable costs to have all the x-rays done? As a foot note the man who hit them has taken full responsibility for the accident not only to us but to his insurance company.

 

[wilbergris]

What your insurance company paid your is approximately what the minivan was worth. Had you taken that same minivan into a car dealer as a trade in, you might have been offered only $1000, if that. That fact that you put in a new transmission recently won't add to the total book value of the van. You needed a new transmission to keep it on the road and worth the $1600.