A Mercedes until the end - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MBeige · #1 02-16-2010, 11:21 PM

Yesterday, my sister got into an accident. She hit the car in front of her, just enough to scratch the other car and mangle her headlights, grille and scrape the top of the bumper (slid under the other car's bumper). They parked on the side of the road and both parties went down to exchange info, when this Acura Integra came barreling and slammed into the back of my sister's 190E, which got pushed into a parked Rav4. All this time, my sister and the other person she hit were between the 190E and the Rav4, so it's just a VERY good thing that her reflexes were quick and she grabbed the other person and they jumped out of the way. Otherwise, they would have been pinned down.

All this time, my 3-year-old nephew was in the back seat of the 190E, strapped to his car seat. The teenager in the Acura was carrying a child (5-7 years old) with him when he hit my sister's car. Luckily, he seems fine and my sister only suffered a contusion on her left thigh, probably when they dove to the curb to avoid getting pinned.

If you look at one of the photos, my sister's sandal is stuck under the wheel of the 190E. It was THAT close. I am grateful somebody was watching over her (them) and told her what to do, and that the car was a Benz to keep my nephew safe. The other person was very grateful for my sister's actions and quick reflexes and for "saving his life" so he just drove off and didn't bother with the damage to his truck.

The doors still manage to open as if nothing happened, but the hood, front bumper, front fenders and rear left fender and rear bumper are crumpled in one way or another.

And the car that rear ended the 190E

Just to avoid confusion, this is my sister's '93 190E. My wife has the '89 190E.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbeige/sets/72157612741148924/show/

Skippy · #2 02-16-2010, 11:30 PM

The side of the road is a dangerous place to be. Highway patrol officers get hit there all the time. Glad to hear there are no major injuries, but it is a bummer about a nice 201 and an Integra (one of very few FWD vehicles I actually like) got seriously damaged, maybe totalled. I don't really mind about the RAV4, since I hate poseur SUV's.

Pooka · #3 02-16-2010, 11:47 PM

I was rear-ended in my 1992 300D and the truck that hit me pushed the back bumper up to the rear tires. The trunk lid just folded up.

All the doors still opened and I drove the car home.

When the cops showed up one of them asked me what I was doing standing around and suggested I move along since the guy in the truck was being hauled off in an Ambulance and I was in the way. I told him I was the driver of the Mercedes and he just flat out called me a lier.

So I took out my keys, started the car and drove off. I pulled the car over a few yards away and came back and asked when I could pick up an accident report.

At this point the Paramedics wanted to know if I needed a ride to the Hospital and I thanked them but said no.

The car was totaled. I did not have a single bruse.

Just another good reason to drive a Mercedes.

aklim · #4 02-17-2010, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

I told him I was the driver of the Mercedes and he just flat out called me a lier.

I did not have a single bruse..

And you wonder why he doesn't believe you?

In my case, I got T-boned by an 04 Civic and in My driver's door. I had less damage than she did. Seat was no more than 12 inches when I measured it at the junkyard. She was doing at least 55 and had more problems than I. That was why I bought an E class to replace the C class. I could have bought a lunchbox on wheels and it would be cheaper. Money I can make back. Body is not so easy to grow back.

t walgamuth · #5 02-17-2010, 05:58 AM

And that in the end is the best reason to buy a benz.

Glad for your sister's alertness and quick action!

MS Fowler · #6 02-17-2010, 06:58 AM

I find it interesting to see how the ends fold right up and the passenger compartment stays stright. I know that is the design. Its still cool to see it actually works that way ( especially when there are no human injuries).

aklim · #7 02-17-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Glad for your sister's alertness and quick action!

Don't be yet. The sister rear ended the other person. Could be that they turn around and sue her 3 months later. Been there, done that. Hit you today, no problems. 3 months later, your neck hurts.

Jim B. · #8 02-17-2010, 08:43 AM

Ah Patrick, that is a miracle your sister dodged out of the way in time, and saved the victim of the car she hit, I note the RAV4 has license frames from Tustin, I thought that people in Orange County drove more carefully than that, wonder if a cellphone was in use at the time ....

That is scary to me, because I am in Tarzana this morning, and and am going today to Orange County to the Mercedes Benz Classic center in a ratty looking but good running, 420SEL, a shop loaner while my coupe is having a new AC compressor/receiver dryer installed by MR MB MOTORS here in Tarzana in the valley.

( PS: ) Send a PM if you'd like to gtg for a coffee or anything today or tomorrow, before I leave for the 600 mile drive back home ....

By the way, accidents are trouble for the Insurance companies with multiple hits at different times,like here, comparative negligence comes into play, and "old damage" even when 5 seconds "old" becomes new damage also.

Even worse when people injured 5 seconds ago get hit again but by a DIFFERENT vehicle when they are still in (or out of) their wrecked car ..ugh.

An adjuster's nightmare. I used to BE an adjuster,many moons ago, which is how I know ...

I think your sister's 190E is a total loss for sure. Even though it did its job and saved the infant inside its rigid passenger cell, it's too old to fix, even with used parts. Though if you love the car, and if it was in as mint condition as YOUR two Mercedes Benzes, it could be worth a shot.
(But, you'd be bidding to buy it off the Insurance company and it would have a California salvage title.)

Time to look for another, I would bet.

Excellent photos from you, as always!!!

MBeige · #9 02-17-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Don't be yet. The sister rear ended the other person. Could be that they turn around and sue her 3 months later. Been there, done that. Hit you today, no problems. 3 months later, your neck hurts.

Good point, but it seems the other person was involved with the police report so they probably gave their word that they are okay and will not file or claim any damages. I'll double check on that.

-Jim, I agree this is a messed up situation. We're still waiting word from the insurance about what's going to happen. My sister took the photos, I was only notified after work (5pm). The accident happened in Anaheim, not Tustin.

It's been a hectic week, and I'm still sick (coughing/headache/colds). While I'd love to have some coffee with you, I need to rest some more. Last night I had to wake up many times because I could not stop coughing despite taking medication.

But I wanted to ask you, I have a feeling the insurance might (will probably) total the car. Should I get the parts I need now? We just installed a few items before this happened, which makes it worse (starter was one of the more expensive ones). I mean, how does that work? Thanks for any advise.

-Tom, I really am glad for her quick reflexes. If not for that, it could have ended worse. My nephew is safe and sound now, and my sister is probably still treating her contusion. But all is well for both of them, for now... *sigh*

aklim · #10 02-17-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Good point, but it seems the other person was involved with the police report so they probably gave their word that they are okay and will not file or claim any damages.

Don't think so. Anyways, had a case where they sued my buddy for hitting them. Sure, even at the time they said they were fine but 3 months later "OH!!!! MY NECK!!!!! IT HURTS!!!!!". Then there is the saying that "No good deed goes unpunished.". Maybe in a year or so you can claim victory but right now is too soon. Since your sister's insurance agent wasn't at the scene, who would have made the "victim" waive their rights for further action?

aklim · #11 02-17-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Ah Patrick, that is a miracle your sister dodged out of the way in time, and saved the victim of the car she hit,

I don't know. Saving one's adversary or potential adversary could get ugly. I would never do that myself seeing as how I have found that sometimes, it has come back to haunt me.

MTI · #12 02-17-2010, 11:57 AM

Because of the short overall length and wheelbase, the W201 is very "soft" in the front and rear. Behind the bumper covers and reinforcement bar, there's little to no structural elements. Even the engine/trans mounts are designed to shear on impact and slide downwards to the ground if the front collision is severe enough. At the same time, the front fenders are also designed to flare outwards when pushed back so that they don't foul the front doors.

davidmash · #13 02-17-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I don't know. Saving one's adversary or potential adversary could get ugly. I would never do that myself seeing as how I have found that sometimes, it has come back to haunt me.

Am I reading this correctly? You would knowingly and willfully let a person die over something that may or may not happen even though that person had done nothing to you till that point?

aklim · #14 02-17-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Am I reading this correctly? You would knowingly and willfully let a person die over something that may or may not happen even though that person had done nothing to you till that point?

My lack of faith in people leads me to believe that I will not do something foolish like risk my life for anyone else with whom I do not have a damn good relationship with. My wife, yes. My dogs, yes. You, no. And if you have more than the normal potential to be an adversary, HELL NO!. I am not a firefighter or a cop. I never took an oath to protect others. It isn't my job in any way, shape or form. Seeing how great people are today, I tend to believe it has a high potential of coming back to haunt me.

Think about this. Last time someone hit me, within 2 weeks I got all sorts of solicitations about my rights and what not. All with the underlying message of "free money". Do I believe people will be honest? Not a chance. I believe that people are basically bad. Give them a chance and the bad in them will come out more than the good. If it is good that comes from them it is because they have been paid more to do it, albeit in a different coin.

Jim B. · #15 02-17-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I don't know. Saving one's adversary or potential adversary could get ugly. I would never do that myself seeing as how I have found that sometimes, it has come back to haunt me.

You're kidding me, right?

To avoid the lady in the car you'd hit, maybe making a claim against your insurance company, or you, later for that injury, you would not have pulled her out of the way when , as you jumped away from between the two cars,

and you'd rather have seen her killed or her legs crushed forever?

Man that sucks, anyone that had their priorities THAT messed up, is the lowest of the low, they should DIAF (die in a fire)

I sure hope you don't mean it seriously. You love to be the devil's advocate on here all the time, I know that.

But.....