Wait a minute, you were STOPPED and the moron hit you at 50mph? 1)whats the speed limit there, just curious. And 2) Does someone have to die before the police will investigate cell phone use. Theres really no way to prove she/he was on a cell phone unless the phone company says they were. A 50mph impact pretty much means they didnt even BEGIN to apply pressure to the brakes only AFTER they hit you. Did they fall asleep? Had a seizure?!? There must be SOME explanation as to why they didnt even bother slowing down for a car like yours. Its not like you were in their blind spot or something.
Its sad that we live in a society where everyone sues everyone for any little tiny thing, especially since ambulance chasers love cases like these, but I agree with going after the driver. Thats why liability is the law. If they cant cover 100% your injuries and/or car, then you have no choice but to sue. Insurance companies can be the worst. I have always been healthy, but my rates were so high because they feared that I would be a baby factory despite having no children. One day I fell, shattered several teeth and had to get 8 stitches. I ended up going in to debt because my own insurance company wouldn't pay despite being with them for years and never filing a claim. This injury was covered, but every time claims were submitted they were denied.
Now a car that old has no price tag. Antiques are kind of difficult to price as there is no book value, only market price. Well what if theres not a whole lot of these for sale? especially in that condition? What if the car had an even bigger value, like say it was your fathers, and youve had it since new, thats the car you learned to drive in, got married in, etc.? This is also why many people get collector car insurance. Its to cover yourself in case the other morons insurance totals it. They get their money back by threatening the other company with how much your car is worth for you. Ive known of so many who allowed insurance companies to write them a check for $1000 and total the car just because thats what 20yo cars went for, despite not being able to find ones in mint condition like theirs since no ones restoring them. In some cases they were totaled from just a mear scratch in the paint!
I would contact an attorney that specializes in just this because they would know what to do. They will know if they need to go after the insurance company or the driver. I heard that they go after the driver, and they have to then bring the case to their insurance. Again, I dont know.
Also an impact like that I fear the worst. This wasnt some fender bender or bumper thumper. You both could have life long back problems. I know of 3 people who do from accidents such like this. I dont know what kind of price you can put on pain like that because Ive never suffered it, and you never know just how bad its going to be until years later when you wonder why you havent healed yet. Thats why people always harass you on whether your ok or not. In many cases your so shooken up that you may not even feel any pain until later. This is how many people die of internal bleeding. They dont know their hurt because all they feel is adrenalin, and they dont visually see any external injuries