How a Drunk Driver’s Accident Left Me Struggling to Rebuild: My Story and Lessons Learned
Life can change in an instant. Just a few weeks ago, I followed my usual routine—parked my car outside my home in Minnesota after work, expecting a quiet evening. But that peace was shattered when a driver under the influence collided with the back of my vehicle, destroying the entire rear end.
As a local resident who depends heavily on my car for work—delivering wedding cakes—this incident has turned my world upside down. The intoxicated driver was promptly arrested, yet the aftermath has been an ongoing challenge.
Dealing with insurance companies has proven to be a complex process. While my insurer, State Farm, has been more approachable, the other party’s insurer—The General—refused to engage with me at all. Ultimately, my insurance policy only covers approximately 75% of my car’s current value, leaving me with around $4,000 still owed on my car loan. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the importance of gap insurance when purchasing the vehicle, and it doesn’t cover my situation now.
It feels unfair to be responsible for such a significant financial burden due solely to someone else’s bad decision to drive drunk. I’m not in a position to replace my vehicle right now, which is critical for my livelihood, especially since I deliver wedding cakes.
So, I’m reaching out—are there any options available to help me navigate this situation? Or am I simply stuck in a difficult spot with no clear way out?
Your insights or advice would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.
Update:
Thanks to everyone for pointing this out. I misspoke earlier—my insurance is covering the vehicle’s cash value. Does it matter if the car had new tires? I’m unsure of the details.
Any guidance or suggestions would be very helpful as I try to figure out my next steps.