Post-crash advice - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #16 03-05-2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

I think I read that uninsured motorist coverage will fix your car even when you don't have comprehensive coverage. If you're at fault and no comp, you repair at your expense. Check your state's laws.

I found out my uninsured collision coverage will pay up to $3,500, but the rest I will have to get from the other party. The car may be repairable for that. A lesson learned, ALWAYS have insurance, even if others don't!!!!!!

bricktron · #17 03-05-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogviler

Also, a weird thing is that almost this same exact thing happened to my Audi Fox last year.-Rog

glad you are OK. how is $600 acceptable payout for an audi fox? those things are rare and cool!

renaissanceman · #18 03-05-2015, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I found out my uninsured collision coverage will pay up to $3,500, but the rest I will have to get from the other party. The car may be repairable for that. A lesson learned, ALWAYS have insurance, even if others don't!!!!!!

I had a similar occurrence -- some lady in a late model BMW turned across my lane of a two lane highway. Airbags, everything. She was uninsured, un-employed, etc, etc. I got $3500 from my uninsured motorist coverage, won a judgement in court for $6000 to cover the rest of the car.

I never saw a dime, but I did get her licence revoked until she pays the judgement. But she still drives, unlicensed and uninsured, evidenced by a call I got (after she got a ticket for no licence driving) asking for me to tell the DMV she had paid. I declined.

People are stupid and irresponsible.

Skid Row Joe · #19 03-05-2015, 10:18 PM

That's another tough situation here. Too many crashes around here lately.

biopete · #20 03-05-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

If he was really worried about his kids he:

Would stay in his lane, clear the snow from the back window.

The dented rear door is a slight red flag, window tint in the snow belt seems to be a huge one. Massive extra points if he has dark license place covers.

Hahaaa aaa.

Rogviler · #21 03-06-2015, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bricktron

glad you are OK. how is $600 acceptable payout for an audi fox? those things are rare and cool!

It was basically due to the body shop being unable to find a replacement grille (which I had a spare of anyway), and all they'd be able to do is fix the small dent in the hood, which was $600 worth of work, apparently. The whole car needs a repaint and rust repair (like all of them), so it was essentially free money.

-Rog

renaissanceman · #22 03-06-2015, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

That's another tough situation here. Too many crashes around here lately.

Well, luckily that was years ago.

BillGrissom · #23 03-06-2015, 02:59 PM

Always have uninsured motorist coverage. It is a cheap addition and 75% of the people who have run into us have been uninsured. One time was on an AZ interstate when moving. It took 3 days for the other's insurance to say "not covered", while we waited in limbo, not knowing what to do with the car. Turns out the car had been sold and he was showing the last owner's card (his friend). The policeman wouldn't even cite him for driving uninsured when I reported that (didn't seem to like people w/ CA plates). Anyway, when I have used uninsured coverage, it has usually been easier since dealing with my insurance company. And I try to stay out of AZ. The cop also suggested we were at fault for driving too slow on his interstate.

Rogviler · #24 07-15-2015, 05:20 PM

In case anyone's curious...

I ended up replacing everything from the bumper up to and including the water pump. I thought the water pump was fine but as soon as I started adding coolant it came back out one of the holes in the pump. Turns out the shaft got tweaked just enough that the seal leaked.

Since I needed a new oil cooler anyway, I decided to do the AN-10 mod for the lines, which worked out really well. The old lines were leaking and now the car no longer leaves little dalmatian spots everywhere.

I also took the opportunity to replace the timing chain. I have what I think is all the records for the car since new and it had never been done in 270k miles so I figured I might as well, especially with the front end gutted.

Did lots of other little things, like new speakers and backup lights (used the Navigator NV-540 lights someone else used on here and they're fantastic), added an EGT gauge, and cleaned up the leftover vacuum stuff from the EGR system.

I replaced the engine mounts and filled them with windshield urethane per some other threads. I can confirm that it's like sitting on a palm sander at idle, but I'm hoping they'll mellow out.

Most importantly, I now have a hardwired dash cam tucked behind the rear view mirror.

All in all the car should be in better shape than it's been since I got it. Many thanks to those who got me the parts I needed.

-Rog

Kip · #25 07-15-2015, 10:10 PM

That's great news! Nice to know it was repairable (and repaired) and not totaled. The damage didn't look too bad but you never really know until you get in there.

Rogviler · #26 07-15-2015, 10:36 PM

Well, it was "totaled" by his insurance company, but where I live that thankfully means nothing for a car that old. And there was only a $400 difference between keeping it or giving it to them, so I figured why not if it was going to be as easy as replacing a few parts and driving it again. Plus I already knew what was wrong with it, rather than buying a different car and starting from scratch.

Of course it wasn't quite that easy to repair, but if I didn't know the car like the back of my hand before I sure do now.

Just don't get me started on that insurance company (The General). I didn't hear from them for a couple weeks, called several times, finally talked to someone who said the adjuster had quit or was fired, so I got a difference adjuster, then another and another. Finally they sent me some paperwork, but it was for the other driver to sign. They also misspelled my last name and the name of my street. Then I got yet another adjuster who sent me the correct paperwork with the right info and after nearly two months I got the check. I'm glad I have a brand name insurance company with a real office a few blocks away.

By the way, for anyone looking for values in the future (for insurance or otherwise), they appraised it at $6800. That was the only good point that came from that company. Not that I'd ever sell it. I'd rather pull out my own toenails than ever try to sell a car again.

-Rog

Rogviler · #27 07-21-2015, 01:58 AM

Turns out most of the harsh vibration was coming from the air cleaner, which was never really attached but got extra jiggy after the crash and especially with the solid engine mounts. It really felt and sounded like someone hammering, especially felt through the pedals.

Ditched that for a solution I found on here (TWO mach4 mods on this car now!) and it's much better. Glad to be rid of that silly thing.

So, if you do the solid mounts and have crazy vibration, check for anything loose that might be amplifying it.

-Rog

Maxbumpo · #28 07-21-2015, 09:43 AM

When I was involved in a sticky situation with an insurance co (no police report which was stupid on my part, and the car owner didn't report the accident to his insurance and didn't want to make me whole) , I called the SC state office for insurance matter (I think it was the Judge Advocate General office?) and explained what was going on as factually as I could. Once the state office was involved, all the BS stopped and everything went fairly and smoothly, and the bodywork on my car was completed after a week or so.

Insurance companies are graded / rated by several factors, including how quickly they settle a claim, so getting a neutral party (state insurance commissioner, actual name of the office varies from state to state) to step in and play referee can be a good thing. Once you go to lawyers and court (which sometimes is required), all I can say is get the meanest biggest jerk of a lawyer you can find/afford.

97 SL320 · #29 07-21-2015, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxbumpo

When I was involved in a sticky situation with an insurance co (no police report which was stupid on my part, and the car owner didn't report the accident to his insurance and didn't want to make me whole) ,

In some states, officially police won't show up unless the car is undrivable.

You might have to do a " I can't get this old car to start / move and it is blocking traffic. "