Well, today wasn't a five-star day for me. I drove into Philly with my bike (conveniently fits in the car with seats down and front wheel off), rode around Center City with my camera on a beautiful day, then came back to this mess.



While I was gone, some lady made a bad turn on the Ben Franklin Parkway and hit some other dude, who went careening into me. More pics are at the below link - the red truck hit me, the white truck was the offending car.

http://img20.photobucket.com/albums/...ident/?multi=5

Any tips on dealing with insurance companies and body shops? This is new to me.

 

Oh good gods!

jcg878, that's horrible! Did you make sure their insurance is going to cover everything?

Makes you wonder if we need to carry around concrete walls to protect our cars when we're parked.

From that picture, that truck had to be going pretty damn fast to take out your car that much.

Wish you luck on getting your car fixed. Just be glad it wasn't like 21_in_az's car.

 

dang, I am very sorry about what happened to your TSX. I know how it is getting rear-ended, but mines wasn't that bad.

Contact your insurance agent, and they will explain all of your options. Keep us posted with about this.
:'(

 

that sucks, I hope everything works out okay with insurance and getting it fixed.

 

jcg - good luck getting this all taken care of!

 

I'm speechless. You have my sympathy jcg878.

After surviving April, I was grateful, but now I'm freaking out about May. Not that it's anything compared to this Philly disaster, but I was bombarded with bird droppings today, which hasn't happened in a long time. Please tell me that May isn't doomed too

 

Thats too bad man. I have been in Philly for the last 5 years, it can be a rough place to drive, but you couldn't have anticipated that. Looks like alot of damage, I'm curious what kind of things will need to be replaced on your TSX.

 

Did you punch the bitch...don't mean to offend any ladies.....WTF.... why can't women drive...Everytime any of my cars has been hit, it was by a woman driver as well.......
Have to say that really sucks, hope all works out well !!!!!

 

Man, that blows. Seeing that makes me want to cry even though it's not my car.
The damage seems pretty severe, I wonder if the insurance company won't just decide to write it off.

I feel for you (but I hate the Flyers :P )

 

So, so sorry. But to answer your original question. A few things to keep in mind (I have been hit before). Read the fine print of your original insurance policy to know exactly what you are entitled to.

Also find out: does a specific repair shop have to be used and if so is the work guaranteed, does the insurance pay the shop directly or do they give you a check to go get it repaired yourself - if so then get several estimates so you will know exactly how much you need, are genuine *new* Acura parts used to replace damaged parts, do you qualify for a loaner while your car is being repaired.

Also, ask the shop that does the work to keep all the original (damaged) parts that they are supposedly replacing (for you to see) so that you can determine that they were not simply refurbishing the damaged parts and claiming they were replacing them with new parts (and charging accordingly).

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck!

 

Damn Jason we haven't seen you for a while and now this? So what was her attitude after the accident? What happened to mine was that she rear-ended me and doesn't seems to care so much. It really blows when they do that. Just go online to your own state's car forum (if there's one) and see if they know any reputable car shop (that's what I did).

Good luck my man...I know you are going to be married soon (or already did?)...hope this won't affect your spirit...

 

Thanks for the sympathy everyone. I agree that there is definitely frame damage - bilaterally (C pillars), and I am routing for a total loss - though after 21_in_az's experience, I am not expecting it (cross your fingers!). This just really sucks! Plus in two weeks I am getting married and already had enough to think about I am hoping that this is the (rather big) 'hitch' in our plans.

I was there when the report was taken and my car was described as "parked, unattended" which I hear is a good thing. Everyone involved was insured, but I didn't get the info on the other two - I have the contact info for one, but both were taken to the hospital (that I work at, ironically) before I got everyone's info. The officer told me that it's in the police report, and I do have everyone's license plates (in the pictures). The guy in the red truck was blaming the chick in the white one, but I didn't have a chance to speak to her since she was hiding out.

The only positive curiousity about this entire thing is that although the car was clearly hit damn hard, there was no intrusion at all into the passenger compartment. 2 people sitting in the back would have been ok except for whiplash.

 

Man Philly is bad news...that's were I got my bumper and door scratch. I think I made out way better than you did. I'm so sorry to see this. Hope everything works out in your favor!

 

thats why you don't drive good cars and park them in philly. You would either end up with huge key marks, having some dumbass backup into your car, or this.

 

Trust me...I've learned my lesson. Next time I go to Philly....I'm renting!

 

Damn.

 

Really sorry to see/hear that!

If we can take anything positive out of all this, it looks like the TSX did a good job in absorbing that impact. i.e. If you or someone was in the car you wouldnt have a scratch on you.

 

jcg878, all i can say is I feel for you man...

:'( :'( :'( :'(

 

wow...sorry.

 

I'm still in shock. I'm so sorry. Good luck with everything else tho and remember: as much as this sucks, there are far worse fates in the world. Just be thankful you are getting married.

 

At least it was a car damage accident and not a people damage accident

It broke my heart to see that car busted up though.. however.. the pic you posted i believe has a funny caption



"Damn ni***a that ride is busted the fuck up"

 

You probably could have gone your whole life without typing your rendition of what that guy was saying on the phone...stupid move on your part if you ask me!

 

why dont you bid on this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

DEVELOPING A SENSE OF HUMOR

AUDIO Hypnotherapy Session on CD

 

Even with the cool guide that you bought, it's still not funny!

 

I thought it was funny.

 

1) I am SO SORRY about your car. The ironic thing is, I was on the parkway when that happened and I thought I heard a car crash but didn't go looking for one. It's never a good sound to hear brakes screech and then crashing. The only bit of advice I can give you is don't let them send you to some lame-ass body shop. The last time my old car got rear ended, the guy's insurance company rep tried to send me to several body shops that I happened to know were not up to par. In the end, I had them send someone out to me, who wound up printing me a check on the spot. The amount he estimated was actually more than it cost me to fix my car even, so it all worked out with very little inconvenience to me.

2) cmf-I think you busting on someone else's post is pretty ironic since you posted earlier basically lambasting ALL WOMEN DRIVERS. Meanwhile, three times that I have been in accidents (twice rear ended and once side swiped) have been by MEN, all admitting that it was their fault. So there!

3) Philly is a bad place to park, but in defense of my town, it's not any worse than any other big city. I parked in NYC once and came back to a busted tail light (and this was in the Upper West, affluent area). I parked a rental in Chicago and came back to a busted rear windshield. Some people just have no lives and like to wreak havoc wherever they can sometimes. You take your chance and hope you've built up some good karma points when you park in any city.

 

My car is getting fixed from some heavy front damage. My suggestion is take your car to the best shop possible and make sure they are going to do the best possible job, not just kiss the insurance company's butt.

you need to find a place that does good painting for the trunk and bumpers. crappy places may screw up the 3 stage pearl coloring. make sure the shop will find all the broken parts and report them. as strange as it is, your front headlight's tabs are probably broken since they're attached to the bumper and yours was jarred off. your headlights could be replaced.

and make sure you don't estimate having your car back anytime soon. it'll be a long process as 21_in_AZ can attest to I'm sure.

 

ouch! sorry to see that happen...if that was my car i wouldve killed someone

 

Watch out for "after market" replacement parts instead of Acura original equipment. The difference in price and quality is unbelievable. It really helps if you have a body man that is as stubborn as an insurance adjuster because you will have a battle. A good body shop will give you some references so you can see their work. Matching the paint from damaged area to the rest of the TSX is critical and not every shop is good at it. Good luck!

 

That photo looks so freaky! My sympathies.

 

Dude check your PM

 

Update: Estimate - $16,500, 40 days to fix

I am sure it will be worth jack when I get it back, but I am thinking of trading it in if I can. I owe a lot on the car though, so it may not be worth it. I'm just concerned about little demons sneaking up on me over the coming years. Thoughts?

 

16.5 is not totalled???? WTF is with insurance companies these days?

 

Bribe the store to raise the cost! I'm sure that's an under-estimate anyways.

Hey, when it comes to my safety (driving a previously crashed car), I don't mind bending the rules...

 

i can't believe you rear window didn't break....

 

6 month later thread revival:

Just got my check today for my deductible

 

Should make for a decent New Years party...