crash!! my luv!!

[Missay]

I think I'm gonna cry. I was just on my way home from work and i was in a car accident less than 1mi to my house. "luv" is all crushed in the front passenger side corner. My headlight is now inside the hood and I have no antifreeze left...I left that on the street. I had to vent to you guys..looks like I'm going to be living on the bus for a while. Think I should bring it to the dealer's body shop?? I think the other girl is going to be found at fault since she cut me off taking a left hand turn while I had the straight away and I slammed into her passenger side rear. I slammed the brakes as fast as I could, but it was just too fast..and bang..right into her. At least she could drive her car home after securing the bumper..not the case w/ luv. She is hurting.

[Jay]

Sorry to hear that. Yeah, I was literally depressed when I totalled my Mustang. It was my baby! I still get a little depressed whenever I see an identical Mustang drives by..

If it's not your fault, take it into a quality bodyshop and make sure they match the paint!! Some colors are extremely hard to match..

[nkx1]

sorry to hear about your accident. i remember when i got my first car, and a week after i got it, i misjudged a turn and clipped someones bumper. only made a small dent in my car, but it sucked because i had damaged by "brand new" used car. so i can imagine how you must feel with this somewhat worse accident and a more expensive car. not to discourage you during your mourning, but in cali if you hit someone from the rear it's always your fault by law; even if it was realistically the other person's fault. hopefully it's different in your state. anyway, good luck with your car, and be sure to find the best body shop in your area by asking around or interviewing past customers.

[Missay]

yea...i know what you mean about if someone hits you in the rear. That's what i thought initially right after the crash (you think I'd be thinking "o my god, is everyone ok"). I always thought who ever makes contact w/ the other car is at fault. I asked the office there though and although he was a jerk and seemed like he didn't have time to deal w/ a car btw a two 17 and 18yr old girls, he told me he thinks that the other girl was at fault b/c she didn't yield to the rules of the road while taking a left hand turn into on coming traffic. I guess it all depends on the insurance company. I wonder what her side of the story is. Ironically enough I was joking in work after a co worker got into an accident on his lunch break that I hope someone hits me in the passenger side door so that I can get a paint job. Well bad news...My passenger side door is fine (It won't open though). Which means no paint job for me

[Kenn157]

Hi Missay,

Sorry to hear about your "luv" If you can, have the body work done at Woburn Foreign Motors. They do good work. I had my 88 Camry fixed up there 3 years ago. They even have a web site where you can watch the progress of the repair which is pretty cool. Check it out with this link http://www.wfab.com/ Click the "check your vehicle" then the number they assign you and walah! You can check on your "luv's" repair progress.

Good luck!

[Yohon]

Missay,

Jeesh, just when you think that it would never happen to you. Your car can be fixed via insurance. and . . . I'm sure . . . if you're like me you'll probably get a new one.

Was anyone hurt?

This is what really is most important.

[Missay]

hey everyone..that's for all of your replies. I really can't believe that this happened. It didn't seem real last night, but now that I'm awake and I'm looking out the window I can't help but feel tears in my eyes. At least I know I'm not the only one with these dilemas (brand new mustang..ouch!). Do you think it's ok to take it to the dealer istead of an independent body shop? Then again, they would probably do a more accurate "before crash" correction i guess since they have actual toyota parts and everything. I'm going to need a whole new headlight, front bumper, front grill, and probably radiator.

Thanks for asking if I'm ok. No one was injured, but I think I have very mild whip lash. My head feels like a million pounds on my head like I need supoort to keep it up, but not enough to go to the hospital. I just want to get this fixed. Looks like tinting the windows has been pushed up now. forget before and after pictures of the tinting...now i'll have to post you guys before and after pictures of the car. I might do that today if i get the chance before I have it towed so i'll let you know. I wonder what dollar amount of damage there is.

I do have to admit though, considering how we collided and the speed, the car withstood the pressure pretty well, the hood didn't buckle too much and even though i wasn't wearing my seatbelt, i felt like I was very protected at the point of collision. The airbags didn't go off though, which i'm gald, those things scare me to death. I think it hit between the front and side sensor for the two airbags. I would have thought there would be more damage considering the impact. What killed the car is that she was driving a isuzu rodeo which is a lot higher. if you look at the headlight (I have a 99 SLE) there is like a couple inches of lip and then the headlight. It looks like that slid under her bumper, pushing everything in under the hood which explains why her bumper is hanging off and my hood in pushed in

[Missay]

wow..i should really proof read what i write.

I meant to say thanks for all your replies...not that's for all your replies. Maybe i hurt my head more than i though

[Wombat]

Let the insurance adjuster handle it. Should only cost you time and convenience, not money. Investigate rental car reimbursment with the adjuster and your insurance company. Don't ever let the dealer get their hands on it. Let the insurance recommended repair center do it (probably required anyhow). Today, cars are designed to crumple up and absorb all of the impact energy so your body doesn't. Typically, a wreck like yours, but on the driver's side, is a total loss (due to electronics and engine manifold). You may have lucked out by steering left. Remember, "Luv" took one for the team.

[papaae]

Hey, I can feel your pain Missay.
I'm in the car replacement business, I work for Enterprise Rent a Car in NY. Let me give you some advice and then I'll grieve with you heheheh.
If you are considdering taking your car to a dealership I'd say unless they have a bodyshop on the premises you wil find that your car ends up in some small noname bodyshop. The best bet is to ask where they get their work done and if its off location then do this...

Most importantly if you have time listen to your ins. agent and if you still arent sure go to your local Enterprise pull a person on the side and ask where most of their business comes from in terms of customers who brag about the best body shops etc. Belive me when i tell you we make no commisions on refferals but I can tell you about which bodyshops and dealerships on the entire Long Island Area to go to and not to by word of mouth and experience working first hand with them.

I'd put any money on that advice that an Enterprise person would tell you the best body shop in your area hands down. Its our specialty Insurance Replacement.

As for the car I"m sorry that sucks.. its soo nice looking but good luck with that.

BTW IF YOU NEED HELP GETTING A RENTAL REPLACEMENT... JUST ASK AND I'LL MAKE SURE YOU GET TAKEN CARE OF.
PAPAAE

[Missay]

yeah, i know what you mean about the dealerships and autobody shops. I've gotten a lot of opinions and advice from people in my area about where to take it to. I'm just waiting for the adjuster to come on monday to look at the car since it isn't drivable. Luckily I'm not at fault, so I'm not going to have to pay for anything, but I still have to go through the pain of getting it fixed.
The only problem I have is I'm almost 18 and there is no way that I would be able to get another car at 17. Just to get a rental I'd have to be 25. So it looks like I'm outta luck for the next 4 weeks.
Thanks for you the advice and the info...I appreciate it all. You have no idea!

[Missay]

I think I'm gonna cry. I was just on my way home from work and i was in a car accident less than 1mi to my house. "luv" is all crushed in the front passenger side corner. My headlight is now inside the hood and I have no antifreeze left...I left that on the street. I had to vent to you guys..looks like I'm going to be living on the bus for a while. Think I should bring it to the dealer's body shop?? I think the other girl is going to be found at fault since she cut me off taking a left hand turn while I had the straight away and I slammed into her passenger side rear. I slammed the brakes as fast as I could, but it was just too fast..and bang..right into her. At least she could drive her car home after securing the bumper..not the case w/ luv. She is hurting.

Awwww...it's been exactly one year as of 11:17pm (lol..it was very traumatizing)!! I should go get in the car, put the same song in the cd player, and drive through the same intersection right now as a memorial!!

[SammySolara]

Instead of mourning... celebrate Luv's life!!!

Think of all the good times you had in Luv

[Missay]

Think of all the good times you had in Luv

between you and krooked, what's the first thing I think of??? hahaha

[SassySarah]

I'm sorry about "Luv" Missay, that sucks. I am a pro at getting cars fixed, my last Camry had bullseye on it, it was wrecked 5 times in 2 years. Once when it was just parked on the street. Make sure to get your own independent estimate from a reputable body shop to compare it to what the insurance company estimates. They almost always come up lower and try to go the cheap route. And, if your head isn't feeling better definitely see a doctor, you could have a concussion and not know it. Hope you feel better soon!