At least in Oregon you don't get diminished value on the vehicle unless it is listed as totalled because accidents and such do not go on record unless you, yourself, file paperwork with the state. Only totalled vehicles are officially listed here.

Looking at the damage in person, I can see why the airbags didn't fire. The point of impact was the right side almost right on the headlight. I believe the sensor is in the middle and it didn't get hit. Simple as that.

It isn't the pain of the accident - it's the misery of recovery! Keep us posted on the efforts and know that we feel your pain :eek:

Sorry to hear VB, glad you weren't hurt.

Once you get your baby back, sell it. Then go get a new one with the cool key :D:

salvage title cars are worth a LOT less, just FYI :)

Today I had to bring my spare keys to the body shop so they could get them over to a Mazda dealership. Seems like the computer (engine management) went bad during the crash (?), so it's been replaced and the keys have to be reprogrammed to work with the new computer.

The body shop says I might get the car back this Friday - almost two months after the crash.

Thanks everyone for the positive responses. I'll give an update after I get the car back - but I'm not feeling too positive after seeing how much work was done.

I see crashes like this all the time. All due to driver error. Anyways, if anything this incident have taught you some valuable lessons I hope. Attending a local Auto-x or HPDE events will improve your driving skills by 10folds. I highly recommand it.

Thanks, I'm glad you can comment on this being driver error without any detailed info. Very useful post, I for one got a lot out of it.

Driver's courses like you cite are great, but they wouldn't have saved me in this case. DSC would have been nice.

VBprogrammer666, I'm certainly sympathetic to your situation, but on this point you are wrong; a driver's course would indeed have saved you. The very first thing they would have taught you in any driver's course is: NEVER drive in New Jersey. :)

This advice comes from a Mass. driver! Now that's scary :spank:

I grew up in New Jersey. My first driver's license was New Jersey. My family still lives there. I've taken the exit you wiped out on a number of times, visiting my sister. This entitles me to joke about New Jersey all I want. Which seems to be the point you have overlooked: It was just a joke! :)

Guess my sarcasm doesn't translate well in writing - I was responding with tonque planted firmly in cheek.

<Sarcasm>
Oh, well. I guees I'll just sit here wishing I were a better driver so I could haved avoided my accident.
</Sarcasm>