Auto Insurance Claims: automobile accident settlement, ford ranger edge, blue book value

Question
I wrecked a friends 2003 Ford Ranger Edge and the insurance company only wants to give him $5500. I flipped the truck avoiding being hit by another vehicle improperly coming into my lane (because I was in that lane). I avoided hitting any other vehicle including the one coming into my lane. The other driver stopped and admitted that the The faulty driver's insurance company doesn't want to give the owner of the truck I wrecked full value of his vehicle stating that I reacted wrongly. (I guess I should have let the guy hit me then they'd be paying for 2 or more vehicles!)
Please give me the value of the 2003 Ford Ranger Edge. I have tried to search online for the Blue Book value or Edmunds or Craigs. . .but I am not having any luck getting a value quote.
2003 FORD RANGER EDGE, 4WD, 6cyl, AUTOMATIC, w/ bed liner and shell.
THANK YOU

Answer
Hi Brenda,

There are a few websites you can check to determine the average value of your car as follows;



1) www.nada.com
2) www.kbb.com
3) www.edmunds.com
4) www.autotrader.com

The last one will allow you to search for currently for sale vehicles like yours in your area. Print out the info you find and average the values to develop an overall average value. You can then use this info to try to negotiate with the insurance company.

If the insurance company is trying to place a percentage of the blame for the accident of you, you will need to find out the percentage they are placing on you. Then the only thing you can do is either negotiate for a lower percentage or file a lawsuit against the at-fault person and let a judge decide who is at fault and for what percentages.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh