Veteran
Posts: 101
Location: Northern KY | Darbydun,
Hey man - my heartfelt sympathy towards you. I know what you went through. I recently bought a 57 belvedere and the F%@*%$!* retarded clown I purchased it from didn't even bother to bolt the front fenders on or attatch the hood to the hood latches - he just "bungee corded" everything together. (actually, he didn't even do that - he paid one of his flunkies to do it for him) He assured me it was secure. I paid a transport company to pick it up, and had to even pay extra because it was a "non-operational car". Naturally it was the first car on the trailer, thus hitting the wind on the transport trailer head on. Needless to say, the fenders and hood flew off of the car in mid transport, and flew into the traffic behind the transport carrier. Thank God no one was killed. I asked him the several weeks before picking the care up to make sure the car could steer and brake, as per the contract that the transport company required. "I've been a mechanic and car restorer for years, and it won't be a problem" he told me. Long story short, He couldn't get the e-brake secured, and didn't even bother securing the tie rods back together, so the wheels steered independently of each other ! All of this from a guy who "restored cars for a living". Well, ultimately it was my fault, I should have known - when you deal with losers, you lose.
You may however want to carefully review the contract with the transport company that you dealt with. Make sure it doesn't exempt them from responsiblity in such a case. These transport companies will squirm, deny, and do anything else to get out of being responsible for such accidents - hense the long, "small type" contracts they make you sign. I know the people I dealt with made me sign a three page contract, all in "small type". Despite my best efforts there was no way could I get compensation for the hood and fender. I didn't lose the entire car like you, but my greatest concern was that no one was killed in the accident.
I hate to sound optimistic with such a loss, but perhaps your loss was a blessing in disguise. You never know what could have happend during / after the restoration. Perhaps the good Lord never meant for you to have that car. Someone may have gotten injured or even died in the car. In mycase, I felt my car was cursed. I was going to restore it for my dad (who used to own one), but then I thought that after the restoration he may have been involved in an accident and gotten hurt or even killed in that car. I could have never lived with myself after that. Again, I feel for your loss, and I don't mean to sound like a preacher, but somethings in life are not meant to be - and usually for a reason, esp. if HE is looking out for you.
But, none the less, I would persue every legal measure to try and get compensation for your loss. You may want to seek out a lawyer who specializes in contract law. However, this may prove to be more expensive than the car was worth. There is a lot of pros and cons with your situation, not to mention the time and trouble you will have to go through to get what compensation is rightfully yours. Good luck with your situation, and God Bless you.
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Share the pain of my lost 1958 Desoto Wagon
