My ZoomZoom wound up BoomBoom

[raghtal]

Well that was stupid. Especially for someone who prides themselves on being a safe driver. I was driving home on Eastgate, typical traffic volume, lots of space between myself and the person in front of me. I was eyeing someone turning right on their red because people tend to try and "beat you" on the other side of the intersection so they can merge in and not wait for all the traffic to clear. I was in the left lane so they would not cut me off, and everyone was moving along, except for an old Ford Explorer in front of me.

By the time I noticed her brake lights were not on (although she was at a stand still) it was too late and although my anti-lock kicked in (not skid marks). I wound up with this.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z6PqHcPGb-c/Th2a5Dc0nHI/AAAAAAAAAGs/9c0W1Scr1bw/s912/IMG04079-20110712-1705.jpg

Its a bit freaky because it looks like her rear bumper was at the perfect height for my lowered car to wind up going under her far enough that the front bumper and hood got crumpled.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ms3Q5zJstr0/Th2b6uNL8hI/AAAAAAAAAG4/NCI1tk-Wi4M/s800/IMG04082-20110712-1734.jpg

My air bag went off (stinky things). I tried to look at the engine to see if it had been moved (engine cover popped off, so it was hard to see if the engine (which is slightly off centre) had been moved at all. The engine turns on after the accident, interesting enough, but transmission would not engage.

No one got hurt. Cop that EVENTUALLY showed up wrote me a ticket for Careless Driving but told me to show up in court and it will likely be reduced from the @$400 fine to around $100. No witnesses, I've got a clean record, the other person was not hurt and the only damage to the Explorer appeared to be its metal bumper got pushed in slightly (maybe her muffler/exhaust got bent too).

Advice on the ticket (yes, I will show up) and dealing with the adjuster? I got Mazda roadside assistance to tow the car to Burlington, so at least the car is close by to my home. I will take more pics today to get a better idea of the damage, but maybe its a write off, maybe its not. Barely had the car a year, and only @21k kms on her.

[iJay]

Damn man, sorry to see this. Glad to hear no one was hurt. At the end of the day its a car its replaceable as Im sure many will say. If ur airbags popped I would hope they would write the car off seeing as you have little ones (I belive)

If the officer advised you to go to court I would, Its happend to a couple friends the officer will end up not showing up. The ticket I believe (ProBoy can correct me) is just to show clearly to insurance who is at fault.

Good luck with sorting thru all of this

[cruisinblackp5]

Shitty. Looks to me like a write off, there's a good chunk of damage. Damn, did I miss it, how fast were you going? Hope insurance doesn't say shut about you being lowered.

That's the first new gen 3 I have seen in a front end and it still looks like a smiling face.

You're right about the air bag stink, I was in a pretty manor crash a few years back and still when I think about it, that's the first thing that comes to mind and I doubt I'll ever forget the smell.

All in all, I'm glad no one was hurt but you may feel a little stiff tonight.

[Ejoe19]

Ouch.

Damage looks pretty severe. Hopefully they write it off for you. I suggest that you notify your adjuster from the get-go that you *believe* it is a write-off and that the airbags deployed.

Its a 2010 so the repair costs may still be lesser than the Actual Cash Value of the car. Sometimes insurance companies can make your car a write-off by deeming it a Constructive Total Loss.

Basically insurance will do whatever is most cost effective for them. Usually:
-Repair cost < ACV = Repairable
-Repair cost > ACV = Write-Off

Contructive Total Loss takes into account more components:
-What repairs would cost + What Insurance can get for Salvage + The number of rental days saved ($) > ACV = Write-off

[Azi]

Glad everybody is alright. It doesn't look like a write off to me. The car still has a decent value. Time for some autoexe goodness.

[Myk]

Damn, near brand new car! At least your OK.

Exact same thing happened to my old car, the van's bumper was high enough to cave in the headlights and pretty far back.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/9016/70629010.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/185/70629010.jpg/)

[Mike_Moss]

Really sorry to hear, Phil! :(

I was driving southbound through that intersection shortly after that happened. Noticed a bunch of crunched up cars and was kinda wondering how that happened. Thought it was the left turners (from northbound) that must've jammed on the brakes.

Anyhow, sorry to hear, but glad you're alright!!! A shame since I know how much you love your vehicles. :(

[e2wJunglist]

I had similar to damage to my 1998 dodge Neon back in 2002. $4500 in repairs, but they didn't write it off.

Let me repeat.. it was a 1998 dodge neon.

Glad everyone is ok.

[raghtal]

I went by the car tonight and took some pics since the appraiser is going to look at it tomorrow.

The passenger side engine mounts broke during impact, and I think the intake manifold got a crack in it. I took a few photos, but these are the ones that show something meaningful.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RyDwssi61Yw/Th5k2gsGPwI/AAAAAAAAAHE/iBSqTXpkfSo/s800/IMG04085-20110713-2157.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQYPe9uQqNw/Th5k5fxeybI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/3PDwyiQOH0g/s800/IMG04088-20110713-2203.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ENHRxqaPK9g/Th5k6N5RB_I/AAAAAAAAAHY/gNijhpX2kQg/s800/IMG04090-20110713-2203.jpg

[LittleSkinsk]

glad ur airbags went off... i know mine didnt :( dose this count towards the zoomzoomboom club???

[kz9]

This sucks.

Just from the pics, it looks to be a write off.

[00bluees]

wow, i would think that they would write it off if the engine mounts broke. i hope they do anyway for your safety in the future. thats a hefty impact.

glad you are okay.

[raghtal]

Yeah, I'm thinking write off too.

Question is, my rims and tyres are perfect, and I want them. I should be able to buy a really cheap set of rims and tires and jack the car and swap things out, right?

[iJay]

@ the discretion of the insurance. I would just tell em you need to get ur personal effects, and then swap the tires.

[pro5dippin]

Yeah, I'm thinking write off too.

Question is, my rims and tyres are perfect, and I want them. I should be able to buy a really cheap set of rims and tires and jack the car and swap things out, right?


Where's the originals? Put those back on

[raghtal]

The originals have winters on them. Once the appraiser is done I'm going to do the swap to these at least, but still, that's winters with one season on them. I'm looking around for something 205/50R17 mounted, ideally, to go wherever this car goes.

[iJay]

I got my old rims/tires (white ones) I wouldnt mind parting with for CHEAP send me a PM/offer.

[raghtal]

Seems the appraiser wants the car dismantled to a certain point before he finishes his assessment. Problem is the car is at Burlington Mazda and they don't have a body shop (would it not be better to have the car dismantled at a place that will do all the work if it is going to be repaired after it is dismantled?

If so the car needs to be moved to a) a place my insurance company has down as a preferred shop, and b) a place I am confident in as well, no?

[tomato.novaa]

sorry to hear raghtal... I think my Gf was driving by when it happened.

[kuhl]

Man soo sorry that happened I hope everything works out well

[dead_cactus]

The originals have winters on them. Once the appraiser is done I'm going to do the swap to these at least, but still, that's winters with one season on them. I'm looking around for something 205/50R17 mounted, ideally, to go wherever this car goes.

I've got a set of 15" winters mounted on rims i'll let go for dirt cheap and could help with the swap. Let me know.

[ChopstickHero]

American vs Japanese car accidents make Japanese cars look like they're made of paper.

Glad you are ok and nobody is injured. It does seem like it would be a write off with airbags deployed and engine mounts torn off! Further damage may be possible to suspension/drivetrain since everything was pushed back. Hopefully it is a write off for your sake.

[raghtal]

I'm pushing for a write off. Problem right now is the car is sitting and I'm waiting for the appraiser/adjusters to get their act together and come to the same opinion as everyone else who has seen the car or the pictures I have taken - write off.

I called my agent last night to complain about the delays and to get the process moving forward. My insurance company didn't indicate a preferred location for the appraiser to look at the car and/or get it dismantled so that they could perform that analysis, so maybe it will be moved. Not sure yet (I've got the keys still anyways).

Thanks everyone for your concern, feedback, and offers of help/support. One of the reasons why this Club is so great.

[vtec-this]

man you must having been going with some decent speed to end up with that damage. I wonder if the ECU stores the information from the time of impact like vehicle speed, throttle position etc. cause that would pretty much make your case in court if you can prove that you were cruising at a low speed and not driving recklessly etc.

[raghtal]

The speed limit is 70, I was going 60. I know because I looked before I went through the intersection. Checked in front, all cars moving forward normally; checked right lane, same thing, checked cars merging from their Yield right turn from Dixie on to Eastgate, normal encroachment, no one trying to cut across both lanes to merge (happens a lot, people try to beat cars coming across the intersection) looked forward, ok, no brake lights, repeat, hey, her brake lights aren't on and she is not moving..... brakes, interlock engaged, blammo

[raghtal]

So, I have the "magic number" of the tipping point of costs to repair the damage, at which point anything over and my insurance company will consider my car a total loss.

And who is doing the cost estimate? Same collision repair and body shop place for the Leggat Automotive Group that worked on my Protege5.... http://www.toprotege.com/forums/showpost.php?p=580127&postcount=122

[thekid]

Seems the appraiser wants the car dismantled to a certain point before he finishes his assessment. Problem is the car is at Burlington Mazda and they don't have a body shop (would it not be better to have the car dismantled at a place that will do all the work if it is going to be repaired after it is dismantled?

If so the car needs to be moved to a) a place my insurance company has down as a preferred shop, and b) a place I am confident in as well, no?

To answer your last question:
Normally if you take it to one of your Insurance companies preferred shops, any work done will carry a lifetime warranty. Otherwise you may still take it to a place your confident with, but you may not get a lifetime warranty for the work completed. That's how it is with Meloche at least.

[raghtal]

Yes, my insurance company is the same. I get to see the car stripped down for the cost estimate, and I get to see the details of the cost estimate as well. Since I know the shop, and my insurance company deals with them, I should be in a better spot now (if the car is not an economic loss).

[raghtal]

I've got a set of 15" winters mounted on rims i'll let go for dirt cheap and could help with the swap. Let me know.

If/when the car is a total loss, I will need to swap out my rim/tyres with my OEM rims and some cheap summer tires. Not going to keep my newish winters on those rims, so I'm looking for some 205/50R17 tyres only.

Thanks!

Cracked intake manifold and likely needs to have the head gasket replaced because one of the engine mounts that broke in two screws in to it and could of warped it on impact.

Oh
Claims Forgiveness (one claim forgiven; won't affect policy upon renewal)
Replacement coverage without depreciation
Disappearing Deductible (reduces deductible by x amount if no claim within first 12 months of your policy)

suggest other people check your insurance policy for these features. Coming in handy for me

[iJay]

9 days later and no verdict? Id be all over them!

[ProBoy]

You are fine and so is the other driver, that is the main thing, always is.


The ticket is to show you were at fault and Careless.

The officer telling you to show up is him telling you your right to speak to a judge, and not that he will not show up. And further that the courts will offer a reduction in exchange for a early guilty plea.

And as far as the Officer EVENTUALLY showing up, he was probably busy with someone else who wasn't paying attention on the road.

Live and learn.

Concentrate on finding a new car.

[ProBoy]

man you must having been going with some decent speed to end up with that damage. I wonder if the ECU stores the information from the time of impact like vehicle speed, throttle position etc. cause that would pretty much make your case in court if you can prove that you were cruising at a low speed and not driving recklessly etc.


Driving into the rear of someone is Careless. Reckless is not a Canadian term.

[raghtal]

Thanks for the feedback.

I spoke with a lawyer and he mentioned a case he had, almost similar to mine where a lady driver inexplicably was stationary in a 70 km zone, and because the case was heard 13 months after the accident, he said his client couldn't recall what happened and they dropped the charges.

[sstuart]

I have a hard time believing that one. Not being able to remember what happened is not a defense nor an excuse. There must have been other reasons. Otherwise, we'd all have very short memories. If you don't know this lawyer personally, I'd be very skeptical of his skills.

[ProBoy]

See, what if this was your wife and someone ran into the rear of her car and caused damage to it, maybe an injury, and had to make a claim to insurance.

Would you wan the other person hoping to get off with technicalitites, or stand up and take responsibility for the accident?

Take the plea at the first available opportunity, and dont drag the other person through the courts wasting their time.

[raghtal]

And as far as the Officer EVENTUALLY showing up, he was probably busy with someone else who wasn't paying attention on the road.


I mention this because no less than 2 other cruisers passed by the scene, in the other direction, slowed down and stopped, chatted with the "first respondent" tow truck drivers, then carried on.

I understand the police are busy, but the wait was not the best considering I had these tow truck drivers going on about how they are going to have to tow my car and the cops won't let me wait for my tow truck to come because it will have been too long to have my car in the road.

Not what you want when you're trying to keep your head straight about what just happened and how the other driver is doing. But I guess these tow truck drivers have a job to do as well.

[raghtal]

See, what if this was your wife and someone ran into the rear of her car and caused damage to it, maybe an injury, and had to make a claim to insurance.

Would you wan the other person hoping to get off with technicalitites, or stand up and take responsibility for the accident?

Take the plea at the first available opportunity, and dont drag the other person through the courts wasting their time.

I'm doing exactly what the officer on the scene told me to do. Appear in court.

[ProBoy]

Most likely the officer that came afterwards was a dedicated traffic car, and the others are primary response (9-1-1 calls). Each have their own job to do.

You'll do fine in court if you step up. You're an adult and obviously have a head on your shoulders and will make the right choice down the road.

[raghtal]

Any advice on how to deal with the "first responder" tow trucks? My understanding is that because they are first on the scene, they are legally entitled to move/tow your car at the direction of the police if it is necessary for safety and traffic situation at the time.

I wouldn't say they were baiting me, but the constant in your ear/face about how late your tow truck is and the officer not going to let you wait is a bit much.

[thekid]

They're sales people... once you're hooked up to them, they know they're getting paid. I personally wouldn't let them hook you up unless the cop tells you they have to. If you called your own tow (ie. CAA), they will normally put a rush if it's an accident and you're blocking traffic, especially on a major road.

[00bluees]

They're assholes...

fixed :p

when i wrecked my car on the 400 i was talking to the other driver i hit, and all of the sudden my car is on the hook and on the other side of the road. i gave him a piece of my mind, and the tow company's owner when he showed up once we moved to a local parking lot. the cop also had some nasty things to say to them and about them. i think because the cop was so pissed at the tow company he cut me a huge break and charged me with following to closely, and not careless driving (i rear ended someone as well)

did i mention they dinged me for $400 just to get the car off the highway? luckily my insurance cut me a cheque almost immediately since i only had about $410 in the bank, and had to pay the tow driver cash. i thought that was totally overkill, especially the 'cash only' approach.

[non_event]

$400 for a tow? Last time I had a car towed it was $45.

Of course, I once had a $600+ tow from a bush camp to Timmins, but that was about a 450km round trip for the guy, and it was a 1 ton pickup loaded with about a ton of rock samples.

[iJay]

Police in Mississauga know that tow truck drivers are all assholes since its soo competitive. They feed on ugency and the un knowledged. I have been in more than a couple situations that Me or somone opertaing the vehicle needed a tow truck. NEVER once have they told me it would be a problem to wait for CAA to show up once the call has been made.

***k tow truck drivers I have a couple contact I used when CAA wont pick up the car due to licencing or conditon issues. I would NEVER let one of these guys touch anyone of my cars. Atlantic being the worst of em all.

[mmorriso]

ouch. reminds us all to drive a little safer. hope it all works out for you.

[ProBoy]

Tow from an accident should only be $166.

[raghtal]

So, the car is a total loss.

Should be interesting doubt very much I'll get my original purchase price, think it will be closer to whatever a comparable make/model/year/mileage will be. Will have to look in to that a bit more because "Replacement coverage without depreciation" should mean a figure closer to Bill of Sale, since purchasing anything used would mean a vehicle that HAS depreciated...

[iJay]

sorry for your loss Phil!

[DWMpartsguy]

Sucks man. Hope you get a good value for your car.

[991.8l]

What are you going to get next? Mazdaspeed 3 time?

[raghtal]

other 3 wagon. The new ones come out in Sept/Oct, like the new engine, wish I could wait until then.

[cruisinblackp5]

A month or two, you can wait. Order now and get one of the firsts.

[midnitehour]

unless you get a really big break on the current gen, i'd wait.

[mmorriso]

+1

grab a beater in the meantime

[raghtal]

Case for sticking with the 10/11 model is that I have some mods I never dropped in the old car, and I don't like being a guinea pig for a car with a brand new engine. I should of chosen my words better - I like the /sound/promise/hype of the new engine, but I'd rather wait 4 years and see what their Diesel turns out to be like.

So this is me, shopping for a 2010 / 2011 Sport GT just like a year ago.

[raghtal]

Should buy a lottery ticket today..
Got my settlement. Pretty much equals the pre-tax MSRP+F&PDE on a 2011. The 2011s come with leather and heated seats as standard, apart from that, (minus the side marker turning lights in the mirrors) its the same car.

Now to shop and haggle. :/

[991.8l]

^ so you lose the tax on a loss like this eh?

My insurance company told me we'd get a new car no matter the cost if there was a complete loss in the first year.. wonder if that would include the tax we paid..

Dealer was trying to push the global track $299 protection on us ($4000 off a new toyota if car is stolen).. but i figured with the direct replacement guarantee.. it was a waste of money.

[mmorriso]

Should buy a lottery ticket today..
Got my settlement. Pretty much equals the pre-tax MSRP+F&PDE on a 2011. The 2011s come with leather and heated seats as standard, apart from that, (minus the side marker turning lights in the mirrors) its the same car.

Now to shop and haggle. :/

winning!

[raghtal]

^ so you lose the tax on a loss like this eh?

My insurance company told me we'd get a new car no matter the cost if there was a complete loss in the first year.. wonder if that would include the tax we paid..

Dealer was trying to push the global track $299 protection on us ($4000 off a new toyota if car is stolen).. but i figured with the direct replacement guarantee.. it was a waste of money.

it doesn't cover tax, no
it does remove depreciation, if you have that option on your insurance. that aspect of coverage for me lasts for 36 months on my policy (used to only be 24 months).

i said no to the global track too since, if someone is going to steal your car (.vs take it for a joyride), it will be chopped up in to little pieces in under 24 hours

[raghtal]

winning!
http://ll-media.tmz.com/2011/02/02/0127-charlie-sheen-tmz-bn-4-credit.jpg
Excuse me, but your purchase offer is on drugs called Charlie Sheen.

[991.8l]

it doesn't cover tax, no
it does remove depreciation, if you have that option on your insurance. that aspect of coverage for me lasts for 36 months on my policy (used to only be 24 months).

i said no to the global track too since, if someone is going to steal your car (.vs take it for a joyride), it will be chopped up in to little pieces in under 24 hours

ya your right 1 year sounds too early.. 36 months sounds about right. :yes:

[thekid]

ya your right 1 year sounds too early.. 36 months sounds about right. :yes:

With Meloche there is a 5yr option.

[raghtal]

Last pic of my car.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/6011226703_ce5434dc7b_z.jpg
Those are some alloys/tyres I got off of kijiji last week so I could get my 18s back.

[raghtal]

Picked up my '11 Black Mica 3 GT this morning.
Doing the typical - Prokit install and installing my 18's on Tuesday, and my AE upper front sway bar and --maybe-- my short ram CAI.

So, at the end of the day, its the same car, just with leather and a power driver's seat and deleted turn signals in the mirrors. Insurance paid off the car, and helped towards the down payment, and, mod piggy bank ;)

[mmorriso]

:goody::goody:

[ProBoy]

Nice new car.

You should get those back up bumper sensors put in the front bumper.

[tomato.novaa]

Pics!

[raghtal]

Here's an update.

About a month ago, I had my court summons to appear in court. I followed advice and decided to speak to the prosecutor ahead of the appearance before the judge.

Well guess what? Its kind of like waiting in line at the post office. Seriously. I was one of about a dozen or so traffic law violators that day, and so, I literally waited in line, in the courtroom (before the judge sat) and waited. Person after person in front of me spoke to the prosecutor, they each asked for a reduction, words were spoken, and in almost each conversation, the charge and fine was reduced.

Would I be so lucky? Seems I was the only one involved in an accident on this particular day of summons.

When it was my turn, the prosecutor asked the officer (yes, he did show up) at the scene if it was an accident. She then asked if the other person involved in my accident was present. They were not. So I was told to sit, and wait.

I kept looking around the courtroom, however, I did not see the other person appear. Finally, it was my turn, and the prosecutor told that judge that since the other party to the accident did not appear, they were going to drop the charges and I was free to go. No charge, no fine, no points.

Not sure why the other person did not show, but that's the rules I guess. Very lucky for me.

New cars got about 17k km on it now, and I'm very pleased, and, of course, very careful.

[RicecookerP5]

wow. that's some awesome luck. congrats

[kuhl]

^thats great news man!

[Redarrow]

ahaha good to hear. congrats on the win!

[midnitehour]

Well ofcourse the other person wouldn't come, why would they take time out of their life for something that was paid and taken care of?

+1 for society not giving a ***k, grats on the win.

[991.8l]

How does that work with your insurance now.. i'm assuming its still considered an at fault claim.. but your record remains intact?

[raghtal]

I have accident / claims forgiveness. My insurance renewal actually went down this year.