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#1
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2002 SLK 230 Kompressor - New to Board
I've had this car about six months and drive it only on weekends. Its stays in my garage. It's been great fun. Yesterday, I had a terrible mishap. While sitting in a Bojangles restuarant drive through, the driver in the car behind me, drops her purse, loses her brake, hits the gas and plows in the back of my car. She's driving a 2003 Mercury Sable.As if this weren't bad enough, acellerates the gas to floor, pushing my MB into / under a Toyota truck. The Toyata rear bumper crushes my grill, driver side light and creases the hood. A witness said the driver behind was accelerating her car for about twelve to fifteen seconds. Rubber and smoke from her tires were everywhere.With all that, the air bags did not deploy. As far as I can tell I see damage to the engine. I drove the car home. I also walked inside and got my food.
Now with all that, insurance adjusters are coming to two days. What are some of things I should look for. Should I ask if the frame is damaged? Should I pursue getting the entire car painted? By engaging my brakes and being pushed under the car, is there damage to my brakes and alginment? Any and all advise is appreciated. I just want to make sure I get all that I feel is due to me. I wasn't physcially hurt, but emotionly I'm a wreck. Thanks, Steve |
#2
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You need to find the best MB/Euro body shop in the area and talk to their adjuster. Tell them who your insurance is (if you are in a no fault state) and deal with your insurance company from a position of power. Don't let them shuffle you off to some preferred provider that will bow to their pressure to fix it cheap.
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Steve Brotherton Continental Imports Gainesville FL Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1 33 years MB technician |
#3
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Even though it doesn't sound that bad...I would look for the car to TOTAL & find a replacement that hasn't been wrecked!
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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES) ASE Master Technician Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times) 44 years foreign automotive repair 27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer) MB technical information Specialist (15 years) 190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold) 1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold) Retired Moderator |
#4
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Thanks for the responses
There is a local body shop that my dealer recomments. This shop is certified by the person's insurance. I'm just hoping it can be repaired.
Thanks, Steve |
#5
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Just remember - Even good body shops can overrate their own abilities. To them a fix may seem perfect, but they don't drive the car every day.
I had a DEALER body shop do $16K worth of repairs to my '96 Impala SS. The thing was almost undrivable. It crabbed going down the road, the axle was still bent, yada yada. After 12 visits to the shop to have them "fix" it again, I finally gave up and got rid of the car. What a shame, it was a beautiful car. If there is any, and I do mean ANY damage to the frame then have them total the car. BTW - it's normal that the airbags didn't pop because you need to be moving for them to deploy. -tp |
#6
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The rear on those are special too. The top opening and closing is critical and any sort of miss alignment can be the difference between totaled or not. So don't forget that part to the equation.
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1983 300D-Turbo - Deep Blue w Palomino MB Tex (total loss in fire 1/5/09 RIP) 1995 E320 W124 Polar White/Grey Mushroom MB Tex 2005 F150 Supercrew - Arizona Beige - Lear topper 1985 Piaggio Vespa T5 - Black and Chrome www.cphilip.com |
#7
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I feel your pain
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#8
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But sometimes there is a "silver" lining. Drop me a line if you need some tips on dealing with the insurance company. Good luck Voz1
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#9
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My insurance appraised at $4800. The culprit’s insurance $5500. He said my guy missed blending the fenders and replacing the radiator. He also is paying for a tow. It looks like we’re getting her fixed. I’ll post photos tomorrow. Thanks for all the input.
Steve |
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