[Schimmel_98]

Well, before we get into the pictures, let me explain what happened. Got off work Friday night about 7pm. Jumped on the interstate heading northbound on I-235. Well, at about the same time a 17 year old kid with 6 other passengers in a Chevy Trailblazer missed his exit on I-80 going eastbound. Well, he had the smart idea of making a u-turn on I-235 and just jumping across and heading back westbound to get back to his exit. Well, that would have worked had I not gotten in his way. I saw him put his turn signal on and I was over in the right lane, so I figured I was safe. Not so much. Next thing I know he's darting across 2 lanes of traffic and I'm laying on my brakes. His back end caught just shy of my back drivers door and the damage carried all the way up to the front fender. Nobody was injured which kind of surprised me seeing as how I was doing about 65 to 70 and he had to be doing somewhere between 50 and 60. I'm thinking that someone was looking out for me.
The officer estimated my car at abou $4000 damage and his at about $3000. I've taken it to two body shops who won't give me estimates because they said that Progressive(the kids insurance) won't accept any outside estimates. Supposedly they do their own. But both body shops were able to tell me that the cost to fix it was going to be probably just above what the officer had stated. So we're talking low to mid $4000 damage. My car book value is only worth $4900, so that leads me to believe that their probably going to total it. If they do, I will be pulling everything I've done to the car out and some of it will be put up for sale on here. Like my blue LED window and lock buttons. Anyhow, enough with the boring part, I'll get onto the pictures. Theres quite a few, so be patient as it make take some time to upload.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151584/fullsize/DSC00836.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151585/fullsize/DSC00837.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151585/fullsize/DSC00837.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151586/fullsize/DSC00838.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151586/fullsize/DSC00838.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151587/fullsize/DSC00839.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151587/fullsize/DSC00839.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151588/fullsize/DSC00840.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151588/fullsize/DSC00840.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151589/fullsize/DSC00841.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151589/fullsize/DSC00841.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151590/fullsize/DSC00842.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151590/fullsize/DSC00842.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151591/fullsize/DSC00843.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151591/fullsize/DSC00843.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151595/fullsize/DSC00846.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151595/fullsize/DSC00846.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151597/fullsize/DSC00848.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151597/fullsize/DSC00848.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151598/fullsize/DSC00849.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151598/fullsize/DSC00849.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

Heres a drawing of what happened for those who got lost in my explanation.
[url=http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151599/fullsize/accident.JPG][img]http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/151599/fullsize/accident.JPG' alt='' width='565' height='424' class='attach' />[/url]

 

[trikt]

And now people wonder why I hate jackazpunx in wannabe 4x4's.

And why I've seriously considered a 4x4 AWD conversion on an SHO. [/rant]

 

[firespirit]

Ouch. If it would have just been the door, you would have been fine, but that looks like the damage went all the way to your rear quarter panel

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[n2_space]

Ouch Sorry to hear, but at least you are ok

 

[calvin]

Sorry to hear of you bad luck,glad you weren't hurt . Hope that kid got charged and lost his licence over this. Good luck with the insurance claim.

 

[Schimmel_98]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, I'm glad I'm ok too. Although I did manage to catch a cold while standing out in the cold. Its already getting down to low 30's here at night. The insurance company is "supposed" to be calling me on Monday. I hear Progressive pays out pretty quick. So, I'm glad about that. And yes firespirit, I would have been fine had the damage just been on the back door, but if you look at the pictures, it tore the rear quarter panel just like the door and theres a crumple in the C pilar(which worries me A LOT). Also, the hinges that attach to the B pilar are bowed out a little bit. I don't know if my car is fixable or not. I think if they do total it, I will be buying an SUV.

 

[Midnight00SE]

Ouch. That is very sad because that paint is freaking awesome. I hope all goes well. I'm waiting to hear back from the insurance company to see if my Bull is gone.

 

[majisto]

Why buy an SUV? The Taurus saved your life. I definitely feel safer in my Taurus versus the Explorer.

 

[Schimmel_98]

Its not because of safety concerns. Theres no doubt in my mind that my sable played a big role in the fact that I didn't get hurt. Its just the fact that I've always wanted an SUV. I'm not too sure yet though. I'm still doing some shopping.

 

[trikt]

An SUV? Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

 

[Guest]

Damn.... Glad you are ok. Whats up with Taurus/Sables getting into accidents? Damn man.

Sal

 

[jaybs95]

Sorry to hear about the car, but glad that you're alright.
The road in your diagram looks like an accident waiting to happen, Thank god NY likes clover leafs

 

[mishnah]

Hate to tell you, but they're probably going to want to total it. If they do, buy it back, get 2 used doors ($100-150 or less each) and have a shop repair the quarter panel and b-pillar if necessary. Sucks that the gen3s are getting so old (damn it 5 years aint that old!!!!! :angry: :angry: ) that nobody really wants to fix them now.

YOu also have the option of if they want to total it out, take it to a shop and get an estimate with USED PARTS!!!! Insurance companies have to do their estimate with NEW parts which cost much, much more than used parts and jack up the costs. If they'll agree to let a shop repair your car with used parts they might just fix it for you!.

 

[rubix]

i'm glad to hear your alright man, sorry to hear your car isnt... check your inbox, i sent you a PM

edit: nevermind, i didnt send you a PM... i must have missed whereyou said you were going to be putting things for sale... i was going to request the blue interior bulbs... but alas i shall wait for teh sale B)

 

[Schimmel_98]

Well, I talked to the insurance adjustor today and was told that the damage repairs were going to be about $4500 including body and mechanical work. So, they told me that they were going to go ahead and total the vehicle and give me $3050 and if I let them have the car I'll get $3300. Ugh. Now I'm going to have to take out a loan in order to buy a new car. God I hate stupid drivers.

 

[Schimmel_98]

Just out of curiousity, does this sound like a good deal? The price seems a little low...
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...or=&cardist=290

 

[rubix]

that does seem low... i would suggest calling and asking them why they are selling it... if it's been in any wrecks... if it's had ANY damage whatsoever... if they had the cams welded... and have a TCCA member (or yourself if you can/want) do a carfax on it. if it sounds good, go out and test drive it. noticed it's 290 miles away, i think, i may have misread... in taht case, if you REALLY are interested, and it sounds good, i would go out there with the intention of buying it, PROVIDED you test drive it first and look it over well, and make sure everything checks out okay. if it's got a small brake problem or some other small problem, it might still be a graet deal.... 4 grand for a v8 g3 SHO, and maybe 100-300 more in small repairs, still aint a bad deal.

 

[Mcgilles]

insurance companies like to say your car is worth about half what it should be. I'd have to say the damage looks like it would cost considerably more htan $4000 to repair to me. but make sure that when they calculate teh value of the car that they add the price of every modification you have made to it. because they have to account for that if they want to total it. insurance wanted my car, and I slapped $7000 worth of reciepts on their desk, and they changed their mind very quickly. I hate how insurance totals cars. what's the motivation for that anyway? they total at like 75%, so they are willing to pay an extra 25% on the car to get it instead of fix it? is it because they think they can get more than 25% on salvage sales? do auto manufacturers pay them to do that in order to sell more? or are they worried about future claims on faulty repairs or something? I don't get it. a car should never be totalled unless the cost of repair is more than the car is worth. not 75%. it doesn't make sense. personally though, I think that any car should be repaired no matter how much it costs, even if it costs more than the "value" unless its damaged so badly that there's no chance it can be put back into pre-collision condition. that's the only excuse to total a car IMHO

 

[Schimmel_98]

well everyone, thought I'd give a quick update since I have been so busy lately. I finally got the insurance settled. They gave me $4000 and took the car. But, I just purchased a 4 door white Oldsmobile Alero with 74,000 miles for $3500. Great car. I'll still check in here every now and then, but I probably won't be as active as I used to be.

 

[Guest]

Pics, year, specs on the Alero? Too bad GM canned Oldsmobile, I really did like the Alero's. Anyways, good luck with and you certainly are welcome here any time!