A couple days ago Glenn Byron was driving to a local Parking Lot Hot Dog Stand Display in his DJ-3A “Miss Willy” when a 90 year old driver pulled a left turn right in front of his bright yellow Jeep. The driver claimed the sun was in his eyes and he didn’t see glenn. Glenn hit the brakes, leaving about 5 foot skid marks from all four wheels before impact.
A nearly new Subaru was the victim, hit on passenger side, side air bags deployed, and probably totaled. The impact caused Miss Willy to flip onto her drivers side and slide a very short distance.
Miss Willy has bent frame, broken windshield, whole nose screwed up, and who knows how much more.
Fortunately, Glenn seems to be okay, though he did get hit on the head pretty good, causing him to be a little foggy. He’s not sure, but he believes he was ejected. No one seems to know of for sure.
Miss Willys before the accident:
Hey Glenn ,Ted here down in CT sorry to here about your accident . Hope your okay and don’t know what I have for DJ stuff in my inventory ,but if any I will be happy to donate to fix her up .Will also keep my eyes open for more. Good luck and rest up
Ted
The worst part of an accident like this is the 90 year old driver’s vehicle was the cause, yet didn’t get impacted. The Subaru owner will go after Glenn’s insurance company. Glenn’s insurance company will then go after the 90 year old’s insurance company. And, ultimately neither Glenn nor the Subaru owner will get back anything for their inconvenience or the trouble caused by the 90 year old’s bad driving.
Glenn, the insurance company may attempt to total your Jeep. If you think it is rebuildable, ask them to pay you the total loss value less the “residual value” less $1, require them to not report the Jeep as a total loss, and you get to keep it. If they “low ball” you on repairs, tell them you want “diminished value” over and above the collision cost based upon the fact that your “pristine vintage Jeep” has been seriously damaged and “can never be made as perfect as it once was”. In many states, you can recover diminished value, which is 10-25% of the high retail value of the vehicle. IIRC, there are only a very small number of states that diminished value isn’t possible.
Glenn, if you haven’t done so, go to the hospital and demand a CT scan of your neck/head. We wouldn’t want to hear that you fall over dead from brain swelling or become paralyzed from a pinched spinal cord in a day or two following the accident.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. It’s always scary out there! Glad you are ok!
Whoa Glen. Glad you’re okay and I second Craig’s comment to get your head thoroughly checked.
Glenn, there are a lot easier ways to examine the underside of your jeep. I’m glad you’re safe and I hope that everything works out
Glenn and I have talked about the accident and the insurance companies and their tactics, so I hope he can come out of this without a loss. He did get checked out at the hospital that evening. Toni is a registered nurse, and takes pretty good care of Glenn.
Glenn Hope your ok and recuperate fast… The jeep can be replaced … you can’t… Sorry to hear of your accident… Get well soon..
As all have said, Thoughts are with you Glen. Please be aware of your health and mental well being. Any bump to the head is no laughing matter.
Rich
Thank you all for your support and comments. The only reason I’ve had Dave put this on here is to show everyone how quickly things can change. What you see here is at 25-30 MPH!! Impact was so sudden that skid mark evidence showed only about 5′ of braking. I can’t remember any of this, just wandering around in the street seeing Miss Willy on her side. An ambulance ride followed with every test known to man and a VERY LUCKY me. How anyone gets out of this with only scrapes, bruises, and a confused brain is just a meeting with the fickle hand of fate. Stay tuned for where we go from here. I’m well insured with a major antique auto insurer, and they are on my team right now. Please learn from this, check you coverage, and understand the other guy has your future in his actions. If you have only common everyday used car coverage on your precious treasure, you can be in a world of hurt. These antique auto insurance folks know the difference between a used car and your baby. Check it NOW!! Thanks, Dave
looks like she’ll turn over, just won’t start.
Ran when parked
Hi Glenn,
So sorry to hear about the accident glad to hear you are ok however. Looking forward to you coming next year to the trail ride again.
Glenn, did you have seat belts?
Glenn, really sorry to hear about this accident and the damage to you and to Miss Willy. I’m sure we will all be interested to hear how the insurance pans out.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery for you and her.
Eric
OMG…..Hope everything turns out okay. Your health #1 and Miss Willy # 2
Hi all, Almost two years have passed and here’s where we are: The Subaru Owner’s Insurance admitted total fault but offered a ridiculous settlement, not even close to actual bills accumulated. I was paid quickly my Declared Value by my Antique Policy. I hired a top notch lawyer team. Last year a settlement was reached paying most bills, some creditors had to settle for a percentage (Including my Antique Auto Ins. Co.), I bought Miss Willy back from Totaled, She sits in my garage waiting for a 75 year old owner to do something. Now the Hospital is still billing me after they cashed the settlement check which stated acceptance terms. Even my lawyer team accepted less than their usual fee. Looks like we’ll be in court as my credit rating is on the line and the hospital won’t quit. Bottom Line: CHECK your DECLARED VALUE. Look at your BABY. It’s TOTALED. What do I expect? When it’s not your fault, why do others have to settle for less? It’s not over til it’s it over!
Two years later and you still can’t move on?? Good luck with the courts Glenn.