So I was in an accident on Oct 22 (Saturday) and below are some pictures left over from the damage done to my car. Yes it was my fault, I rear-ended a 2001 Ford Ranger.......that'll teach me to look over my shoulder next time I want to change lanes....
Anyways, it's in the body shop right now and I'm waiting to hear word from them whether it is going to be totaled or not. I wanted some opinions from you guys to see the damage and maybe help me out as to what you guys think will happen? I really don't want to lose the car, I don't care if I have to pay more money out of my pocket ($500 deductible) to get it fixed, I really want it fixed though.
I put this in the regional forum to gather input on people that have had to get repairs done in CA and what steps are needed or concerns that should be brought up to get it back to legal condition.
My analysis thus far, airbags did not deploy, windshield not cracked.
What needs to be replaced/repaired possibly (just from looking at it)
Radiator, condenser, front bumper, passenger fender, passenger corner lamp, both headlights, hood.
It doesn't look like the block got knocked off of the mounts and it looks in good condition, the header looks fine, intake looks fine.
Any other inputs or thoughts? Thanks!
Must of been a high bumper on that ranger...looks like I would be easier fix then other accidents, my best friend had the same thing happen to him w/ his LS Sport...ranger backed into him though..
It doesn't look like it will be totalled...but do you have a pic from the side?
im not in california but this just looks like an easy fix...the things you mentioned plus the cor support might have to be pulled out wards towards the front bumper. but yea if you airbags didnt deploy and the windhield isnt craked they should fix it and not total it out
Well..I personally think it won't come back totalled, after you rid of the hood the inside doesn't seem to me ruined that much, after they pull back some of the front chassis that holds the radiator ect...
But who knows, there might be something that got tweaked beyond repair. But like I said, I don't think it will be totalled..
I don't think it will be totalled either. And since its your fault I would fix the car myself if I were you. It would save you a lot of money.
damn ron. hope you're alright. if you need anything give me a call dude. seriously. i get home every day at 11am so just call me up. doesn't look like sandy is really THAT hurt. actually, you could probably fix most of it yourself. looks mainly like cosmetic damage. probably need a new radiator and stuff...doesn't look like it got to the cross member though. let me know if you need any help bro, i'm always home with not a whole lot to do.
GO PATS!!!
I don't think fixing it myself is going to save that much money.
The max I'm going to have to spend is $500 (insurance covers the rest).
A new hood alone is probably at least $200, then I need a new radiator, fluids, hoses, headlights......
I'm alright, there were no injuries, it was just me and my fiance in the car, and the other car didn't get @!#$ done to it, except the bumper got pushed and that's about it.
Thanks Brian. I need a ride though. I'm going to be spending more on a rental car than I am paying the deductible for my insurance.......
It's alright though, my brother is letting me use his Camaro, so it's all good so far
a ride just around town or back and forth to work? i can hook you up around town if you need to run errands or take care of stuff. just let me know.
good to know everyone was ok. i say collect the insurance money and do it yourself because a lot of time, stock replacement parts are just the same or maybe just a little cheaper as aftermarket parts. could be an opportunity to bling her up a lil bit.
GO PATS!!!
since the air bags didnt blow your prob safe , that it wont get totaled
which is good news bad news , that color is hard to color match , i had a small shop do a better job matching the paint than the dealer , although neither were right on
with the core support damage id let a shop fix it
Well here is an insurance agents point of view since I am one.
If you turn thee claim inot your insurance. you pay your deductible then you fine right?
WRONG your insurance is also going to go up they will charge a surcharge for anywhere between 3-5 years and if you have a good driving discount. thats gone now. So my suggestion is one you get the repair order from the shop you need to call your insurance agent and ask how much your insurance is going to go uo if you turn in the claim. Then you need to decide whether it is worth it to turn in a claim or fix it yourself. If you have the means
(Insert really cool picture of my car with some catchy name or slogan here)
Slo2pt2 (Projekt Unknown?) wrote:Well here is an insurance agents point of view since I am one.
If you turn thee claim inot your insurance. you pay your deductible then you fine right?
WRONG your insurance is also going to go up they will charge a surcharge for anywhere between 3-5 years and if you have a good driving discount. thats gone now. So my suggestion is one you get the repair order from the shop you need to call your insurance agent and ask how much your insurance is going to go uo if you turn in the claim. Then you need to decide whether it is worth it to turn in a claim or fix it yourself. If you have the means
I'm pissed. I just got a call from my insurance company saying the other party is claiming injuries. You know, the whole typical whiplas BS. Which is funny because they both seemed perfectly fine when I was getting the information, and now all of a sudden both of them are claiming "soft tissue damage". So it doesn't really matter anymore anyways, my insurance is going up no matter what.
^^^ True sorry to hear that man!!
Well since your insurance is going tup see if the body shop will send in your estimate with oem parts listed but ask them if you can order aftermarket and have them put it on. somebody shops are cool like that
(Insert really cool picture of my car with some catchy name or slogan here)
damn ron, that sucks dude. bastards are gonna milk it for everything they can too...
GO PATS!!!
I'm tempted to just go drive over to their house to see just how "injured" these bastards are. Pisses me off..........
I guess I'm kinda glad I only hit a center divider.
But, yeah that sucks. Doesn't look totaled though. New core support and body peices. Good as new. (yeah right) It will never be as good as before the crash. Just get a goooood paint shop, with a warranty!
RoNuS20 wrote:It's alright though, my brother is letting me use his Camaro, so it's all good so far
Wow, must be one hell of a guy!
this is my story, except back in Feb. of this year. i rear ended an escort, and my car looked EXACTLY like that in the front, except my airbags deployed which shattered the windshield.
the people were fine in the other car while getting info, but then later they claimed injuries, like what was said above. my insurance went up only 60$ a month, so not too bad.
also, if you dont think you wont save money fixing it yourself, you are CRAZYYYY.
the insurance guy came out and estimated the repairs for my car (parts and labor in a shop) to be a little over 4,800$. i fixed it all myself (ordered the parts off ebay and other sites) for a little under 1,200$.
but i did cut a few corners. guess how i pulled the radiator support bar out? i chained it to a tree and drove backwards
heh heh.....but i got it pretty damn straight, everything lines up, so im good.
-Cameron (CaliforniaCavalier)
Girls make me mad and break my heart, but my car is always there for me.
Well 80% of whiplash claims are days after the accidents. The muscles stiffen up after the accident. Also the adrenaline from jsut getting hit or hitting someone is so high the pain then may have just felt like a small pinch if any pain at all. So don't think it is completly bogus. However if you see then with there kids on there shoulders only a week after this accident Snap a picture and sen it to your insurance agent they will subrogate to get their money back.
(Insert really cool picture of my car with some catchy name or slogan here)
MiKeDiRnTRuLeZ wrote:RoNuS20 wrote:It's alright though, my brother is letting me use his Camaro, so it's all good so far
Wow, must be one hell of a guy!
that or he's hoping ron will wrech his camaro too so HE can get a new car as well...
GO PATS!!!
It's official, car = TOTALED!!!!
Just got off the phone with my insurance company, they gave me two options. I can either sell the car to them and they take care of the rest, or I can keep the car, they deduct money for me keeping it, and then deduct my $500 deductible. So I told them I would think about it and let them know on Monday.
I'm going to have them price it out with all scenarios, if I keep it, if they take it, what it's worth with the stuff i've added, and what it's worth stock.
Damn, I'm just going to cut people off now, no more looking over my shoulder.
This sucks.
Look on the bright side, more motivation for that Mazda you wanted!
Just make sure you get a faster car than mine... stop being the slowest one in the house.
how much was the estimate for the damage ??
maybe try another shop ??
seriously it doesnt look very bad , and i cant imagine its value is lower than the cost to fix it , plus if you owe anything on it
that sucks serious dookie that they want to total it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on a side note , if there isnt any major damage to the intake , let me know 1 of my firends will buy it from you
dude that really sucks...it doesn't look that bad though.
if you need a car, i always know people trying to get rid of vehicles for fairly cheap. and chris' best friends dad runs a "out of garage" dealership. he's always got a lot of cars.
kinda bad timing, but i just remembered i wanted to ask you...do you have an extra drivers side clear corner? after 2 years mine is starting to get moisture in it all the sudden.
GO PATS!!!