Please Help Me - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sailor15015 · #1 11-22-2005, 06:15 PM

Hello everyone. On my way home from college today I was rear-ended by a lady who wasn't watching where she was going. They were moving a double wide trailer and the traffic was being waved onto the shoulder. I slowed down to about thirty-five and followed the traffic. The next thing I know this lady comes barreling into me at what felt like 60+. This happened about an hour ago and my neck's starting to feel stiff. What a great way to start Thanksgiving Break. Anyway, my passenger side trunk area is pretty smashed in. I could still drive it home but the exhaust is barely hanging above the pavement, maybe an inch or two. I think the frame's bent because it was vibrating nicely on the way home. My step dad was following me and said it was tracking off to one side. This is the second wreck in a year that I've had in this car that wasn't my fault. No one was hurt, by the way. Anyway, I was wondering if you guys think they'll total my car? Just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes. I know words mean little without pictures and I'll have some within the hour as soon as my camera's charged. Just wandered if anyone's had any experience with this kind of accident. You guys are a great help and I hope I can keep my reason to stay here.

braverichard · #2 11-22-2005, 06:19 PM

I'm very sorry to hear about your accident Seth. Firstly, I'd advise you to go and seek some sort of medical attention since your neck is hurting. The effect of the whiplash generated by that rear ending may worsen if you don't seek medical attention.

Here's the verdict man: if the car is totalled, which I think it will considering that the frame was damaged and it is, like most of our MB diesels, a very old car, don't worry. Use the money you'll collect from the old lady's insurance to buy a new car. Indeed, that was an unfortunate incident for you, but there's nothing you can do about it now other than to move on!

kerry · #3 11-22-2005, 06:22 PM

Sorry to hear about your accident. Make sure you get your neck checked out It might be worth getting an MRI. You could have a serious disc herniation.
There is no frame to bend on your car, so if it's tracking sideways, I'm guessing it's totalled. Make sure you get top $$$ for it. Print out a bunch of recent Ebay auctions of similar cars in similar condition to prove its worth to the insurance company.
My 74 Olds has been totalled twice and most people can't even tell it's been in any accidents at all and I've never done anything to repair the damages that totalled it.

Rick Miley · #4 11-22-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailor15015

This happened about an hour ago and my neck's starting to feel stiff.
...
No one was hurt, by the way.

Yes, someone was hurt. YOU! I know it's no fun, but you need to get your neck checked out. My partner has several ruptured disks in his neck and upper back from auto accidents.

Sorry, but they will probably total the car. There are plenty of stories here on Mercedesshop about simiar incidents. Depending on the insurance company, they may allow you to take a total loss settlement and buy the car back at salvage value.

sailor15015 · #5 11-22-2005, 06:43 PM

There is no frame to bend? I think I'm going to be fine. I was tensed up into my seat so I didn't have any whiplash. Another thing, my engine still runs fine but the idle has dropped from 800 to 550, right after it happened. Oil and coolant levels are fine. No funny noises or anything out of the norm. Still has the same power that it had before, only it won't idle as high. Maybe just knocked something loose?

Jimmy Joe · #6 11-22-2005, 06:44 PM

A rear-end is pretty straight forward who to blame.
Those neck injuries have a way of not fully coming to the surface for weeks or longer; you need to see a chiropractor, as an insurance claim.
It is a hard thing to let go of a car, you won't get a whole lot for an old one; but what you will get for pain and suffering if you are hurt will make the car's value look like small potatos.

kerry · #7 11-22-2005, 07:09 PM

These are unibody cars without a frame. I would not go to a chiropractor with an injury like this. Rick is correct. I too had a severe disc herniation as a result of a rear end collision. I did not get an MRI until 14 yrs later. When the neurologist saw the films he told me to get to a surgeon within 48 hrs. I was lucky not to be a quadraplegic. Neck injuries need to be taken seriously.

sailor15015 · #8 11-22-2005, 07:14 PM

My older brother is a doctor. I'm going to see him tomorrow for Thanksgiving stuff and I'll ask him. Thanks a lot for your concern guys. Any one want to take a guess at how many thousands it might cost to fix if they total and I buy it back? When I had my front passenger corner bent in I believe it ran around $970.

braverichard · #9 11-22-2005, 07:18 PM

We have to see some detailed pics first to make an informed guess.

sailor15015 · #10 11-22-2005, 07:21 PM

Thanks for reminding me. I'll go do that now.

t walgamuth · #11 11-22-2005, 07:32 PM

that the car is unibody and no separate frame as such there is a square tube section in the rear that is integrated with the body structure and accepts the bumper shock. this is made to crumple so your body takes less shock.

the car may be totalled and still fixable. i had two 240s totalled from rear enders. i collected $4000 something on each and in the deal kept the car. then using a combination of used and second hand parts had them fixed. one was better than new, and i soon sold it off for a profit. the other i fixed crudely and gave to one of my teenagers to drive. it was soon wrecked again and eventually three years later taken to the crusher after being picked clean of all usable and theoretically usable parts. (two weeks ago).

so you have options. be sure to collect car rental $ in the deal.

you dont have to take their first offer. they usually low ball you and try to wait you out. get your facts together on why you think your car is worth "$X " and hold out for it if necessary. 'course they may take your first offer. i had that happen once, out of maybe 15 times through the last 35 years.

tom w

boneheaddoctor · #12 11-22-2005, 07:36 PM

Her insurance is required to pay your medical bills so don't short yourself treatment you may need......thats #1....#2 get plenty of proof what cars in your condition sell for and don't setle for what the damn Blue Book claims it is...

She hit you she has to make it whole and htat means another car is equal condition to yours or the cash to buy one that is. Accept no check untill that is met...they will try to lowball you...and cheat you out of what you are due.

sailor15015 · #13 11-22-2005, 07:43 PM

Thanks for all your help guys. Here's some picks I just took. Its night here so if you need more detail I'll take some better ones in the morning.

boneheaddoctor · #14 11-22-2005, 07:44 PM

Thats a pretty good crunch.....

sailor15015 · #15 11-22-2005, 07:44 PM

Ok after seeing these here I'll definately take some better ones in the morning. If anyone wants me to take some pics of something specific let me know and I'll get it. The metal around the passenger door is also bent slightly so I have to lift up on the door a bit to get it to close. Thanks again.