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Hey all, I'm new here and don't know if this is even the right forum to come to for advice, but I just got into a bad car accident and was wondering if there are any experts who can provide me a repair estimate. It was my fault, totally careless, I was switching lanes and did not see other car in my blind spot. I plan on paying for the damage to my car out of pocket, not through insurance. My front right side collided with the left front side of the other vehicle as I was switching lanes. I'm so mad at myself. I will attach photos here, can anyone give me an estimate of how much repairs will be? Hopefully there will be no internal damage. Right front door was swiped but there is no damage and it open and closes normally. The severe damage is above the wheel, what is that called, fender? Bumper? Sorry, I am completely clueless about cars. Thanks.
If out of pocket, I would budget at least $3k.... But then it would be your choice on getting it fixed correctly or getting it fixed as cheaply as possible.
Hint* on car repairs, never go cheaply as possible.
A lot of people do what you do -- say, "I'll pay out of pocket." Take advice from me, as someone who has gotten in many accidents (and has kids who have gotten into many accidents).
Stop stressing. Call your insurance. Let them handle it. Yeah, your rates will go up, but not as much as you think. You have insurance. Use it. Let them worry about and move on. You've been paying them a lot of money every month for this very reason -- you did something dumb. Now let them do the job you've been paying them for. Good luck!
Don't have collision coverage...kicking myself. Really awful Friday the 13th...this sucks so badly. I estimates about 3000, but if it's more expensive than that I'm going to have a heart attack, which honestly it might be
Don't beat yourself up man. They are called "accidents" for a reason and it happens to the best of us. My first accident (which is the only at fault accident) involved me driving my first car that I had for only a couple months right into the rear of the car inf front of me. Like we were stopped at a turn and I forgot he was there and went...I have no idea where my brain was...with that embarrassing bit of info on the side let's get to your case. I am not going to kick your ass for not having collision (you seriously should have gotten it) but this is a lesson for the future. We all learn.
I can't tell if that is the lighting, but is the front pasenger side door damaged? If it is only the front fender, it might be cheaper than what you are expecting. Bottom line, is the car drivable? If so, drive it like that and save up until you can afford to get it done RIGHT. Don't let the mechanic take you for a ride either ok, take some better lighted pics and come show us before paying to make sure...if they can tell you are not mechanically inclined they may try and take you for a ride.
Don't beat yourself up man. They are called "accidents" for a reason and it happens to the best of us. My first accident (which is the only at fault accident) involved me driving my first car that I had for only a couple months right into the rear of the car inf front of me. Like we were stopped at a turn and I forgot he was there and went...I have no idea where my brain was...with that embarrassing bit of info on the side let's get to going to kick your ass for not having collision (you seriously should have gotten it) but this is a lesson for the future. We all learn.
I can't tell if that is the lighting, but is the front pasenger side door damaged? If it is only the front fender, it might be cheaper than what you are expecting. Bottom line, is the car drivable? If so, drive it like that and save up until you can afford to get it done RIGHT. Don't let the mechanic take you for a ride either ok, take some better lighted pics and come show us before paying to make sure...if they can tell you are not mechanically inclined they may try and take you for a ride.
Thank you for your kind words...definitely helping me calm down a bit. The car is driveable and drove home fine after the accident, however I heard something scraping/rubbing against the tire as I was making turns, probably the way the fender is bent now. The passenger door is scraped, but not damaged. Just scratches on the door, no dents which is good. But the fender looks really bad. Paint is chipping off and the dent is significant. I'm wondering how much it will cost to replace, if I hold off on fixing the scratches on the door till later down the road when I have more funds. The door closes and opens normally so I don't believe there's any damage. I'll attach more pictures, I would so so so appreciate any honest cost estimates!! I'm praying for no internal damage I'm sick to my stomach thinking about going to the mechanic tomorrow.
My cl fender was replaced. I found a new fender at one of the dealership who offer 25 percent offf. One of the sponsers of this board. I paid four hundred and paid three hundred for labor and having it repainted. Find a reputable body shop. It might be lower than you think.
My cl fender was replaced. I found a new fender at one of the dealership who offer 25 percent offf. One of the sponsers of this board. I paid four hundred and paid three hundred for labor and having it repainted. Find a reputable body shop. It might be lower than you think.
See this exactly! I don't think it's going to be as bad as you think. If the door is opening fine, then it wasn't damaged, moreso that the fender was pushed forward and away from the door (you got lucky on this) also be thankful no airbags went off and that you are ok! It can be WAY worse!
if you wanna do it the cheap way.. go for used oem. you can find fenders and doors on ebay then get a shop to paint it..
i would go that route. there are plenty of doors on ebay for sale.
i dont think you got suspension damage but an alignment would tell that.
its very cosmetic and i dont think you should worry that much.
find parts, bring to shop and get it painted then install yourself.. you save so much on labor as most places are $100 an hour and charge you up the ass just to put a door and a fender on.
dont worry about paint match, black always matches
+1 with Potz. That's gonna be your best bet. I wouldn't even worry about the paint job either. Just gotta do your research & find out which shop is going to charge you an affordable price to make sure it looks like new.
That's going to need more than a fender. Did the hood sustain any damage? The front air dam / bumper cover? If you're going on the cheap, find the parts needed in a scrapyard. Make sure the paint code is the same as yours. Otherwise, you'll have to paint the new parts and blend them in before the new clear coat is applied. The only way to get a really "good" result that way would be finding an experienced body and paint business with a paint booth. I think that would add up $$$ wise pretty quick. Sorry to you. It blows!
Call local shops around you or find a salved car depot or something like that. My brother's car got rear-ended and the bumper got destroyed. No subframe damage thankfully. We found a bumper from a total car about 35 miles from us. Cheap as hell too. And it was a brand new 2016 Civic. Be on the lookout for cheap replacement parts. I wouldn't suspect it would be over 3k if you find parts used. But I wouldn't recommend "fixing" the current fender. Get a new one.
I hate to be "that guy" but...unless you're driving a car that's worth <$3k, you should always carry collision coverage on your car. It's not that much more money, and If you can't afford it, then really can't afford the car you are wanting/driving. Not trying to be a jerk here, but hopefully you have learned that lesson.
I hate to be "that guy" but...unless you're driving a car that's worth <$3k, you should always carry collision coverage on your car. It's not that much more money, and If you can't afford it, then really can't afford the car you are wanting/driving. Not trying to be a jerk here, but hopefully you have learned that lesson.
Yeah it seems crazy to me too. I mean not knowing the condition of the OP's car, mileage, and assuming it's a base 12 - 14 TL (based on wheels in pics), even if it's a 2012 base TL @ 100K miles in good condition it's still a $9,000 to $10,000 car +/-.
About $2000 with OEM fender but doesn't include suspension damage if there is any.
More than that... With an OEM fender, splashshield, etc and no door damage *and* I had a buddy do the work it was $1500. That was with dealer pricing on the fender (~$200) instead of list (~$360) and all the other bits and pieces.
And that was with a far less mangled fender. OP has more damage underneath.
$3k (or greater) would be my guess to have it done properly. Door would need replacing or paint + fender + all the little brackets and shit.
*edit* Not to mention an alignment + wheel balancing and assuming none of the suspension stuff is bent.
I hate to be "that guy" but...unless you're driving a car that's worth <$3k, you should always carry collision coverage on your car. It's not that much more money, and If you can't afford it, then really can't afford the car you are wanting/driving. Not trying to be a jerk here, but hopefully you have learned that lesson.
You're not that guy when you're absolutely correct. Same opinion I have about people putting regular fuel in it too.
Is saving the couple hundred dollars over 6 months really worth it when you get into an accident? Absolutely not.
You're not that guy when you're absolutely correct. Same opinion I have about people putting regular fuel in it too.
Is saving the couple hundred dollars over 6 months really worth it when you get into an accident? Absolutely not.
Yeah, the OP actually is pretty lucky, he/she can still use the car. If the car was totaled, and there was still a loan on it, that would be a financial disaster.
01-13-2017 | 06:29 PM
