How a Drunk Driver’s Crash Left Me Stranded and What You Can Do About It
Life can change in an instant. A few weeks ago, I did what I always do—park my car outside my home after a long day at work. Moments later, my world was turned upside down when a motorist under the influence rammed into the rear of my vehicle, destroying it entirely.
Residing in Minnesota and relying heavily on my car for work—specifically for delivering wedding cakes—the aftermath has been nothing short of a nightmare. The reckless driver was arrested, but since then, I’ve faced a series of challenges, starting with insurance issues.
Dealing with the other driver’s insurer, The General, has been frustrating; they’ve refused to communicate effectively. Fortunately, my own insurer, State Farm, has been more cooperative. However, the coverage they’re offering falls short, covering only approximately 75% of my car’s value. This leaves me with about $4,000 still owed on my loan, and I was unaware of gap insurance when I purchased the vehicle, so that option isn’t available now.
It’s incredibly unfair to be left footing such a large bill for a car I no longer have, especially since the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Currently, I can’t afford to replace the vehicle, which is vital for my livelihood.
Is there any recourse I haven’t considered? Are there solutions or resources I might pursue before feeling entirely stranded? Your insights and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Update:
Many of you pointed out that my insurance is covering the vehicle’s actual cash value, which makes sense. I was curious whether there’s any difference if, for example, my tires were brand new—does that impact the payout? Honestly, I don’t know.
Thanks again for your support and suggestions.
