Totaled?

Ok, so below is some picks of a Trucker coming into my lane, grinding down my 2004 RX-8, pushing me into a concrete barrier and destroying all tires, rims and rear suspension. Also, damage to plastics under wheel wells, under engine compartment, probably bent frame. Car if worth repairing would need to be completely repainted as only passenger doors, rear quarter panel, trunk and hood not damaged. I haven’t been able to get Trucker’s insurance company to put it up on a lift yet. But I’m thinking Totaled. Accident happened at 50mph and front right went into the wall probably at about 40mph. Thoughts?

 

damn, that' rough. Glad you weren't hurt. I've seen pics (and once in person) how easily a big rig can crush a car against the barriers.

That back tire certainly looks like is warped enough to have potentially caused some frame damage. Tough to be sure, tho.

GL NMOcho

 

Can't really tell from those 2 pics alone, but if what you are describing really happend, thats a lot of damage that can't be readily seen even if it does get fixed. I think you might have something bent from that velocity and impact. One thing for sure, i dont think i would want it back even if it was fixed. Good luck on getting it totaled.

Anyways looks like you're going to need a suspension overhaul along with a bunch of cosmetic repairs and who knows what else.

 

If I were you I would rather claim it as totaled

too much damage, and I dont think I can drive with confidence with it anymore.

See if u can take some stuff out of the car before they tow it away(for totaled), at least you can sell some of the stuff to cover some of the lost.

 

Milk them for what ever you can get. Glad you weren't hurt.

 

it really doesnt look that bad. I would put it back together and rock it harder than before if it were me.


If there is frame damage that is another story entirely. You will need to get it to a professional shop to know about that.

 

Looking at that rear wheel, I'd be worried about frame damage. I get the feeling it's totalled. Being that you said it happened at 40-50 mph, the best part is that you got away unscathed.

 

You wont be able to tell looking at that. The rear suspension could be shot down to the bushings causing it to hang like it does and the frame be fine. What you need to look at to get an IDEA of frame damage is the doors do they all close and line up fairly closely? Granted the side was hit so they probably ont line up perfectly on that side. Also you need to check out the roof and the floor pan and see if there are any creases or buckles.

 

glad your ok.trucks on the road can be unforgiving to smaller vehicles although i have seen when the car has done more damage to the truck.imo being in the same office as the body shop it looks like most of the damage is to the so called soft metal and related parts.on the rear of the car most of those parts would be replaced for new and they would pull back into specs the rest.most good body shops will do a four point measurement around the front and rear and also do a four wheel realignment which should keep everything straight.by all means no two cars are not alike and if they do not total it out just make sure you drive it a little hard to make sure everything is in place. be sure they check to make sure it tracks right (meaning all four tires fall into place on a straight line).hope it works out and if not time to go shopping for a new baby!

 

should have said no two cars are alike.anyway you look at it you wish that it did not happen.and i hope that you get what you want.be it repaired as new or totaled to get a new one .we all get a little buzzed after something like that has happened

 

My sister hydroplaned a mazda6 into a concrete barrier, grinding the side in a similar fashion to your hit side (though not as bad). It was an 11k repair and just shy of being totaled. A month later, it required 3k$ more work as the transmission leaked and the axle was suspect. At that point, it would of been over the total threshhold if they hadn't done the 11k already.

Your car will be totaled if you are lucky. The act of compressing the wheels into the body does bad things to the drivetrain. You might need new axles, bearings, bushings, differential, wheels, and then you need to make sure the drive shaft didn't flex and put unusual stress on the ends/transmission. Then you have to worry about the suspension mounts on that drivers rear wheel. Hammering/welding stuff like that into place will probably never be back in manufacturing spec. Then the cosmectic stuff needs to be fixed.

I think insurance companies set the total threshhold as something like 75% of blue book. A 2004 6spd with normal miles shouldn't be listing at more than 20k. I think they'll total it.

 

Take it to a mechanic who is close to you/a friend and see what they can do for you to help make sure it is totalled...and have him thouroughly check everything so you don't end up like the girl in the post above me

 

total it, trust me it wont drive the same even after the repairs

 

That and the fact that there is a huge blemish on it's title that will severely lower the price.

 

Ditto- I wouldn't bother with waiting for the truckers insurance, they'll stall as long as they can. You should be going through yours, anyway, and let them go after the other guy's insurance company.

 

+1 for total. I get my other car stolen and it was gutted out. It was never the same. How much would they give you for it?

 

Very ugly. Glad to hear that you were not injured. Hope the trucking company pays.

 

wow i'm so sorry buddy..... I hope everything works out okay!

 

TOTAL IT ! DAMN IT MAN JUST TOTAL IT !

start seeing doctors and said that ever since the accident you had headaces all the time .....

I hate those truck drivers, I hate them as much as I hate taxi drivers.

 

Get them to total it.

It ain't gonna be the same if they repaitr it.

 

I can attest to this, when I got hit by a cement truck it took a month and a half before my car was finally heading to the shop. It was another month in the shop for repairs. They will stall alot. I have the advantage of working with Claims Adjusters who told me how to rattle the cage some, but even going ot supervisors didn't work that well.

 

I wouldn't want to drive it after that accident.

 

Someone from Europe will buy it for 100%. Thats how they do in Poland, the most totaled cars from USA are sold in PL under 'small accident' note.

 

Thats sucks man, good thing your ok. Cars can be replaced.

 

Damn those NY cabies, they wrecked my Camaro in 2002