Great way to start the holiday weekend....not really....

[Addict]

This wasn't how I was supposed to start the weekend.....

So I'm on my way to work this morning. I work out in the middle of nowhere, so I drive some backroads to get there. I'm listening to some music, coming up on a bend, going the speed limit of course (50MPH). As I exit the bend, some animal (raccoon, possum) comes into the road from the left. I swerved to miss the animal and ended up in a creek.

Not a ditch. A creek. Fortunately the water was only about 6" deep so I could get out ok and the car didn't get any water damage. According to the Trooper, the car was 113ft from the road. Luckily, I didn't get cited.

Here's a few pics:
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2840-2/Photo_122305_001.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2848-2/Photo_122305_004.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2850-2/Photo_122305_005.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2856-2/Photo_122305_008.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2860-2/Photo_122305_010.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2872-2/Photo_122305_016.jpg
http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/d/2868-2/Photo_122305_014.jpg

There's more pics here (http://www.jessandjustin.com/gallery/vehicles/2005mazda6/accident122305/).

I went to the body shop to grab a couple things out of the car. The insurance adjuster was there and said the damage was at about $5500 so far and he wasn't done. He also said they won't know how much more its damaged until the shop starts tearing it down. The airbag did deploy and it looked like the radiator was bent. And of course all the cosmetic damage. One thing I noticed is that the trunk seemed "bent". All the doors & trunk open ok, but the inside of the trunk looked bent.

Any idea on whether or not I would be able to use some aftermarket parts (ie exhaust) for the repairs? Not sure if that's allowed or how that would work. Though I think others have done that.

Argh..... This car has some bad karma attached to it I think. :( Maybe I just need to get rid of it....

[IALuder]

man that sucks. im sorry for your loose.

[Addict]

Originally posted by IALuder
man that sucks. im sorry for your loose.
Dunno that its a total yet. I won't know anything til next week.

I imagine it'd have to be a good amount of damage to total it.

[IALuder]

half the price of what you paid for it.

[Addict]

Originally posted by IALuder
half the price of what you paid for it.
Close to it. I think it varies some what from company to company. Some total at 51%, some at 80%, some at 100% or more.

Here's what seems to the case for most companies:

Example:
Car Retail Value: $10,000
Damages: $8,000
Rental Reimbrsement: $900 ($30/day)
Salvage Value: $2,000 (generally 15-20% of the retail value)

To Total:
$10,000 - $2000 = $8,000

To Repair:
$8000 + $900 = $8,900

This would be a total loss since the cost to repair plus rental reimbursement exceeds 80% value. They come out better by totalling than fixing the car. They can pay you $10,000 and reclaim $2,000 of it making it only $8,000 that they pay.

They have to take into account what they can get for the salvaged car, rental costs (if you bought rentail coverage from them) when totalling a car out.

This is the "simple" version. The complex version is written like this "cost of repair + projected supplements + projected diminished resale value + projected Rental Reimbursement". Though I haven't worked out what this means yet... lol

[pdiggitydogg]

Man, Im really sorry about your ride. You went pretty far! I bet you wish you just ran the damn critter over...

As I was always sold, some insurance companies will just write you a check to fix the car, so you could replace parts w/ aftermarket.
Id seriously look for a lot of used parts from other wrecked 6's, save you a bundle.

[CD5Passion]

at least it was only a mazda








not but really...sorry dude

[JDMFantasy2k]

Originally posted by CD5Passion
at least it was only a mazda








not but really...sorry dude

wow what an asshole :D


wow, $5500 raccoon or possum, whatever. That would make me get a gun and shoot anything that weighs less than 20 lbs and moves :bandit:

[CD5Passion]

Originally posted by JDMFantasy2k
wow what an asshole :D


wow, $5500 raccoon or possum, whatever. That would make me get a gun and shoot anything that weighs less than 20 lbs and moves :bandit:

I'm just a son of a bitch huh

haha that measns you'll shoot lil dogs too :no:

[ebpda9]

damn justin that really blows. well the car might have been done for but you are ok.

[Addict]

Originally posted by JDMFantasy2k
wow what an asshole :D


wow, $5500 raccoon or possum, whatever. That would make me get a gun and shoot anything that weighs less than 20 lbs and moves :bandit:

Yeah he's got "HP Envy". It's ok. ;)

$5500 and he wasn't done with what he could see. And they still have to tear into it. *sigh*

Next time, and I hope there isn't a next time, I'll just have to run it over.

[Mischief]

I never swerve for animals that fit under my car.

[Addict]

Originally posted by Mischief
I never swerve for animals that fit under my car.
This was a fat ass animal! I don't think it woulda made it under. It woulda taken something else out I'm sure.

[Mischief]

Originally posted by Addict
This was a fat ass animal! I don't think it woulda made it under. It woulda taken something else out I'm sure. Well I doubt it would have taken out your entire front end like swerving did.

[Robert]

As said before, just hit the animal if wont come over the hood.

[Addict]

Originally posted by Mischief
Well I doubt it would have taken out your entire front end like swerving did.

Me too. But hey, my first reaction was to try & avoid the animal. As I'm sure most people would've done. I didn't have time to think about what would do more damage.:no:

[Mischief]

True, sorry swerving didn't work out for you.

[ebpda9]

Originally posted by Addict
This was a fat ass animal! I don't think it woulda made it under. It woulda taken something else out I'm sure.

messed up front bumper and bloody engine < totaled car. i am not swerving for anything unless it's a hummer or a big rig

[Rob]

S H I T T Y....:no:

[Accord Man]

Sorry to hear that.. Hope everyting works out in the end.

[dabouncerx24]

My uncle owns a body shop, and most people buy aftermarket parts for their cars so they can keep part of the insurance check.

Sorry about your car dude.

[ChrisCantSkate]

damn dude that sucks. im waiting for the day somehting runs in front of my car. on a side note i really like that car... been thinking of getting one if i decide to get a car for my next vehical

[Addict]

Yeah. Now more swerving for me...
Originally posted by ChrisCantSkate
damn dude that sucks. im waiting for the day somehting runs in front of my car. on a side note i really like that car... been thinking of getting one if i decide to get a car for my next vehical
Its a blast to drive. I've been pretty happy with it thus far. Definately one to consider.

[MissJDM]

lol. for being in a poopy mood, some of the responses from the guys made me laugh.

Sorry to hear about the coche..right before the holidays too!

I like your car though..it's just so..so..cute!

[Addict]

Originally posted by MissJDM
I like your car though..it's just so..so..cute!

Cute?? Damn it I don't want a 'cute' car!:D

[Shaved &/or Laid]

I LOVE hitting animals that run out in front of me. It makes me feel like a bigger person.

[MissJDM]

Originally posted by Addict
Cute?? Damn it I don't want a 'cute' car!:D

:D, I totally meant cool!

(It really is cute though, it's just so..so bubbley!)

[ebpda9]

justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car ;)

[Addict]

Originally posted by MissJDM
:D, I totally meant cool!

(It really is cute though, it's just so..so bubbley!)
That doesn't help. Bubbley isn't any better!

Originally posted by hondaman-iac
justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car justin drives a chick car ;)
SILENCE! I will not tolerate taunting from 'imports'.....:bandit:

[Addict]

So the adjuster just called me. The preliminary estimate is $6965.48 .

This is before the body shop tears the vehicle down to look for more broke stuff.

Once this thing is fixed, its getting sold.... or parked on the west side. Too much bad karma.:no:

[Racing Rice]

You aren't selling it... The Honda gods are pissed at you for turning your back on them. I told you, you should have just bought a cheap Civic. Atleast if you wreck it, you have a better chance of totalling it and getting a different car. I know how much you hate to keep the same car for more then 3 months.

On a side note... I drove by you landing site.... DAMN! You got lucky!!! That looked like it would have been quite the ride! Thats a lot bigger hill then the pictures make it look.:crazy:

[Addict]

Originally posted by Racing Rice
You aren't selling it... The Honda gods are pissed at you for turning your back on them. I told you, you should have just bought a cheap Civic. Atleast if you wreck it, you have a better chance of totalling it and getting a different car. I know how much you hate to keep the same car for more then 3 months.

On a side note... I drove by you landing site.... DAMN! You got lucky!!! That looked like it would have been quite the ride! Thats a lot bigger hill then the pictures make it look.:crazy:

We'll see about that.:no: And yes, I think the Honda gods hate me for selling my Civic. Shoulda gone with a cheap car.


Yeah it was a hell of a ride. Worst rollercoaster I've ever been on. They really need to work on the stop....

[Addict]

Well as of yesterday the total stands closer to $10,000. According to the body shop, the tech isn't done tearing it down yet. $10k is their bet "guess" right now.

...and it will be at least 5 weeks before I could see the car again.

[Racing Rice]

Wow man, how much until they total it?:D

[Addict]

Originally posted by Racing Rice
Wow man, how much until they total it?:D
Well let's use the Progressive Total Loss formula (http://claims.progressive.com/corporate/total_loss.asp).

Actual Cash Value: $22,000
Repair Cost: $10,000
Salvage Value: $4400 *
Repair Cost + Salvage Value: $14,400

So $7,600 more I guess. I think they take into account rental costs too. That would add another $900 to that.

[Racing Rice]

By those numbers it doesn't look like they will... You never know though.

[Addict]

The total is now $9766 and some change.
:crazy:
The adjuster started to rattle off somethings that were messed up under the hood. A/C, radiator, frame was bent.... Frame was bent? Unfortuantely my cell phone was cutting in & out so I didn't have a chance to ask him about the severity.

Is that something that can be corrected easily? Something that can be corrected back to "pre-accident" condition? That part worries me.

[ShEaNy]

that thing woulda been written off so fast here....i would WANT them too...but that sucks man...i woulda hit that raccoon..put it in reverse and smoked it again..just to make sure LOL :P i wish my insurance company would write my car off..but they just keep fixing it...(whenever something happens lol):crazy: :crazy: :bandit: :cool: :rolleyes:

[Addict]

Can't total it when the cost of repairs is less than the car. :no:

At this point I'd rather them total it out. That's a lot of damage.

[GT40FIED]

Originally posted by Addict
Is that something that can be corrected easily? Something that can be corrected back to "pre-accident" condition? That part worries me.

In my experience, no. It's pretty expensive to do in the first place since the fixtures used to do it cost serious $$$ (we've got an old one at school that cost about $60K...and it's not even top of the line). Plus once metal is bent, even if it's bent back into it's original position, it's still more easily bent than when it was originally cast. Also, if the shop that does it is off by even a few millimeters you can get some real problems. That's not too common these days what with the laser systems they use, but that shit just adds more to the cost. I hate frame damage.

[Addict]

I read up on this topic while I was slackin at work.

Apparently with unibody vehicles (which I assume mine is) you can either bend it back into place or replace the section that it bent. It has something to do with the way the panels are assembled.

I don't know any details on it. I'm not a body work person. This is just what I found.

The shop is I-CAR Gold certified as are all their techs. I made sure of this prior due to warranty issues. Apparently as long as the shop is I-CAR certified, the repairs won't affect the warranty.

I hate dealing with this. :mad:

[GT40FIED]

Man...it's been so long since my body and chassis repair class. If they're I-CAR certified, I wouldn't worry. I-CAR certification isn't insanely hard to get, but they sure don't make it easy. Obviously any kind of damage can be fixed...I just wouldn't feel entirely safe in a car with a repaired frame. I'd ask what kind of frame rack they use. Some places (like dealerships or make-specific shops) will have dedicated fixtures for a given model...MUCH more accurate than a traditional rack (but usually quite a bit more expensive). But if they've got something like a Chief rack and they know how to use it you should be good to go.