I got in a crash with my 350SDL today - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #46 03-01-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

State laws vary. I've totalled out two vehicles in Nevada due to them being hit through no fault of my own. The first was a Kawasaki Ninja 250 that got run over in a parking lot while I was inside Trader Joe's doing some shopping. I let them have the bike and was able to get a better one with the insurance money. The second was my 300D. I got rearended whiled stopped in traffic. I decided to keep the car, and got a payout, but I had to turn in the "clean" title and was then issued a branded one that has "Rebuilt Salvage" on it. When plate renewal time came around, I had to have the car inspected by a licensed shop to verify that it was safe to operate, which of course it was since 1. It hadn't been damaged very badly in the first place, and 2. I had it professionally repaired. The shop I used had done quite a bit of work for me in the past and did the inspection and paperwork for free.

I have to say that every single vehicle in my family (Myself, wife, brother and his family) that has been crashed (almost 10 in 40 years), was bought back and either sold for parts, or put back on the road. I have found it quite profitable to sell the parts from my wrecked cars, rather than see them at Pick-A-Part making a profit for them and the insurance company.

Mölyapina · #47 03-01-2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Cars are replaceable, people are not. Glad you are ok.

Best post in this thread so far.

Maxbumpo · #48 03-02-2015, 04:12 PM

I've never been in a serious wreck, but I've had a couple close calls. In both of my 124s, in panic stops (both feet pressing HARD on the brake pedal) it has seemed to me that (a) time slowed down and (b) the brakes weren't working well enough (i.e. I was going to have a hard time avoiding a crash). In both cases I had the presence of mind to steer around the other car/obstacle, which is when ABS really saves your bacon.

I think Rollguy's sense that his brakes weren't working was probably his brain playing a trick on him. They probably were working perfectly, but that wasn't good enough in this case. Another possibility is that he kicked the brake pedal hard at first, but then failed to keep pressure on the pedal. This is unfortunately a very common reaction to a panic stop that many people exhibit.

This panic stop failure to keep brakes engaged is so common that newer Mercedes (standard since '98 according to Wikipedia) have a system to detect this panic kick on the brake pedal, and then when it does detect it the ABS brakes come on full and slow the car way down, I think to 20 mph or less. It is called Brake Assist:

Emergency brake assist - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I was driving a rental MB in Europe about ten years ago, nice E-class diesel sedan, and experienced this system first hand. Driving on a secondary road, a large truck pulled out in front of me, and I kicked the brake pedal triggering the brake assist. It was very strange, because I had taken my foot completely off the brake pedal and was only steering at that point, but the car was automatically braking REALLY hard until we were going pretty slow. The car was safely slowed to the point that we didn't even come close to hitting the truck.

ABS won't necessarily make you stop any faster, but it will allow you to steer and maintain control if the surface is slippery, and sometimes you must both brake and steer to avoid a collision.

ROLLGUY · #49 03-02-2015, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

ABS won't necessarily make you stop any faster, but it will allow you to steer and maintain control if the surface is slippery, and sometimes you must both brake and steer to avoid a collision.

Agreed, and if I hadn't turned a little left, I would have hit the other car right in the drivers door. I did in fact have both feet hard on the brake pedal as soon as I realized that the other car was in front of me and we were going to collide. The other car only had a dented front fender and a bent wheel (suspension). Both vehicles ended up perpendicular to, and in the opposing traffic lane. We both were able to move out of traffic and on to a side street just moments after impact.

Skippy · #50 03-02-2015, 05:19 PM

Most people don't practice max effort braking, consequently they aren't as proficient as they could be. Even with ABS, a monthly test run where you stomp the pedal and verify system operation is a good idea. If you're driving without ABS, frequent practice of threshold braking is a very good idea.

compu_85 · #51 03-02-2015, 06:30 PM

If the ABS sensors or tonewheels get rusty they will give a weak signal to the ABS computer and it will think a wheel is locking when it isn't, resulting in longer stopping distances.

-J

ROLLGUY · #52 03-04-2015, 07:42 PM

My insurance representative called today, and it seems that the person driving the other car (parents car) was not listed as a driver on the policy, so they are basically uninsured. However, I have uninsured coverage on my policy, so I am covered there. The problem is that it has a $3,500 limit. An adjuster is coming out this week to look at the car and give an estimate of the damage. If the cost to repair the car exceeds $3,500, then I will have to sue for the balance of the cost. I am sure the cost will be much less than the value of the car ($11,300 on NADA), so it will not get totaled and be branded a "Salvaged" vehicle. Although I should not have to, I will be able to repair the car myself for the $3,500 allowed with money left over. If I knew that the car could be repaired for the $3,500, I will have it professionally done. Either way, I have a body shop that will do the welding/core support replacement and paint work (excellent work at a great price). I can do all the parts finding and installation. It is a bummer, a couple weeks ago I bought some interior parts from an SEL the same year and color as mine at Pick-A-Part, but I went there yesterday and the car is gone. Oh well, I hope to find another one soon......Rich

97 SL320 · #53 03-04-2015, 07:48 PM

If you can show that the child is a regular driver perhaps that can show insurance fraud.

I'd think that loaning a car to someone that you know isn't on the policy would be easy to prove making it easy to take a run at the car owner.

sixto · #54 03-04-2015, 07:50 PM

Unless the car was stolen, you should be able to sue the owner. Let the owner go after the driver.

Sixto
MB-less

ROLLGUY · #55 03-04-2015, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

If you can show that the child is a regular driver perhaps that can show insurance fraud.

I'd think that loaning a car to someone that you know isn't on the policy would be easy to prove making it easy to take a run at the car owner.

After I get the repair estimate, I will ask the other party nicely for the balance. If they decline, I would have a lawyer lined up to take the case. The other party would have to pay the balance and the court costs of both sides. If they have any smarts about them, they will gladly pay rather than loose a court battle. All it may cost me is a few $ to have a lawyer write up a letter.

sixto · #56 03-05-2015, 12:05 AM

It will go a long way towards a civil suit if the other driver was cited. Is that something you can ask the attending PD?

Sixto
MB-less

renaissanceman · #57 03-05-2015, 02:21 AM

https://www.esurance.com/insurance-resources/car-insurance-follows-driver-myth

Their insurance should still pay out...you may have to hold their feet to the flames, though.

mytmousemalibu · #58 03-05-2015, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

Most people don't practice max effort braking, consequently they aren't as proficient as they could be. Even with ABS, a monthly test run where you stomp the pedal and verify system operation is a good idea. If you're driving without ABS, frequent practice of threshold braking is a very good idea.

I think there is a lot to be said for this! Also a shameless plug to go get involved in autocross. You need not have a sports car (though more fun) nor do you need to be the fastest guy on earth. Its a mix of aggressive driving and braking and can really get a person a custom to how there car might react in an avoidance maneuver or hard braking. Can teach you how your vehicle reacts to various inputs. I can honestly say it's kept me out of an accident or two. And on top of it all, its a lot of fun and not expensive to go try. Our local region club is $30 for non-members for the day and you can use a club helmet for free.

funola · #59 03-05-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

A person in a Ford pulled out in front of me today. I applied the brakes with both feet preparing to stop, but I felt as if the brakes didn't work. I assume the ABS was working, but it seems that I probably would have been able to stop if the ABS did not hinder my application of the brakes. There was no skid marks whatsoever. Other than a little sore throat from the passenger air bag dust, I am fine.
....Rich

Sorry to hear of your accident. Do you normally use both feet to stop? If not, why so in this particular instance?