07-06-2006, 09:06 PM
Hey Guys,
I bought a '92 Cab about a month ago that was virtually flawless at 78K miles. Unfortunately last night I was run off the road by a large full-size pickup that rapidly changed lanes to the left without so much as looking just as I came up on its blind spot at about 50 mph (it was going about 45 mph). This sudden lane change caused me to abruply react by swerving to the left into an ending center turn lane of a 6 lane road at which point a curb embankment jutted out that I hit squarly at just under 50 mph. The impact destroyed both left wheels & tires and caused the vehicle to go into a spin as I crossed the embankment back onto the main road, and then it ended up slamming into the center curb between the two sets of lanes and just crossing over it and coming to a stop directly into oncoming traffic (90 degrees to the road). Luckily the only two cars traveling the opposite direction at the time were just barely able to stop without hitting me (though by no more than about 5 ft or so...scared the hell out of me!!).
Anyway, the body didn't seem to be damaged at all except for the front plastic wraparound and both lower side plastic panels (and all the underside plastic panels that were ripped off). The whole underside was scraped up going over the second curb, and I guess the oil cooler or cooler lines were damaged along with the radiator because oil and coolant was dumped all over the road. I suspect that the front suspension was bent and maybe even the frame tweeked a bit from the massive impact when hitting the curbs (the gap between the hood and left fender was reduced in half compared to before the accident). Probably even the rear left suspension might be bent since the wheel was peeled open so much (that much of an impact).
I don't know, what do you all think, is it repairable or do you think the insurance company will total it because of the potential costs to replace all of those items and straighten all of it? Also, can the frame be straightened and still be sound afterwards such that it will still be a great handling car, or once bent is it hopeless? If so, how do I get the insurance company to give a decent payoff up near 17K and not the lousey bluebook value given in KBB?
This whole incident just makes me sick since this was such a beautiful car...I really loved it!!! (this is actually the first decent car I've really ever owned after 34 years of owning vehicles, and this has to happen...life just isn't fair sometimes!!)
Naturally the damn asshole that caused it all ran off without even stopping!!!
I bought a '92 Cab about a month ago that was virtually flawless at 78K miles. Unfortunately last night I was run off the road by a large full-size pickup that rapidly changed lanes to the left without so much as looking just as I came up on its blind spot at about 50 mph (it was going about 45 mph). This sudden lane change caused me to abruply react by swerving to the left into an ending center turn lane of a 6 lane road at which point a curb embankment jutted out that I hit squarly at just under 50 mph. The impact destroyed both left wheels & tires and caused the vehicle to go into a spin as I crossed the embankment back onto the main road, and then it ended up slamming into the center curb between the two sets of lanes and just crossing over it and coming to a stop directly into oncoming traffic (90 degrees to the road). Luckily the only two cars traveling the opposite direction at the time were just barely able to stop without hitting me (though by no more than about 5 ft or so...scared the hell out of me!!).
Anyway, the body didn't seem to be damaged at all except for the front plastic wraparound and both lower side plastic panels (and all the underside plastic panels that were ripped off). The whole underside was scraped up going over the second curb, and I guess the oil cooler or cooler lines were damaged along with the radiator because oil and coolant was dumped all over the road. I suspect that the front suspension was bent and maybe even the frame tweeked a bit from the massive impact when hitting the curbs (the gap between the hood and left fender was reduced in half compared to before the accident). Probably even the rear left suspension might be bent since the wheel was peeled open so much (that much of an impact).
I don't know, what do you all think, is it repairable or do you think the insurance company will total it because of the potential costs to replace all of those items and straighten all of it? Also, can the frame be straightened and still be sound afterwards such that it will still be a great handling car, or once bent is it hopeless? If so, how do I get the insurance company to give a decent payoff up near 17K and not the lousey bluebook value given in KBB?
This whole incident just makes me sick since this was such a beautiful car...I really loved it!!! (this is actually the first decent car I've really ever owned after 34 years of owning vehicles, and this has to happen...life just isn't fair sometimes!!)
Naturally the damn asshole that caused it all ran off without even stopping!!!
(This post was last modified: 07-06-2006, 09:13 PM by tloof.)