k7780446

So this morning going down the highway around 55-60mph and a person decided to cross the highway. I swerved, slide on all the gravel from the recent snow and ice....got traction and ran straight into a pole. Prob 40-45 mph. Airbag deployed, fenders done and windshield cracked, also motor mounts are torn up and outside of that your guess is as good as mine.

Its a 2013 optima sx with 4.5k miles 4 months old.

It bluebooks at 27k.
Any thoughts on if Safeco will total it out??

heres a better picture**

Crazy Bimmer

Hard to tell till the bodyshop tears into it.

My guess is that it is not totaled.

Held up really well if you did hit the pole at 45mph!!

k7780446

ya the cabin did great! but the engine did get shoved back a little so im not sure how that will effect it.

I started off hoping it was fixable....but now im hoping its totaled due to dimishing values after major damage like this

AZuser

I'm going to go with totaled.

Aman

If it's valued at $27k repairs would probably need to be around $20k for it to be considered totaled. I don't think there's that much damage.

Hapa DC5

I'm leaning towards them totaling it out.

I know I wouldn't want that car back after a hit like that.

Sarlacc

airbags deployed...going with totaled.

BlueAc

iTrader: (2)

Damn atleast you're safe... Helluva hit!!!

1StGenCL

Glad you're ok but I'm going to guess not totalled. Mom's brand new (few weeks old) 2013 Passat TDI was hit by an Escalade, airbags all deployed, engine looked like it was just barely hanging on by the drivetrain, months to fix because parts weren't available at the time and pushing 20K in repairs.

She got depreciated value money but still it sucked. Good luck

mrmako

Good to know a Kia can hold up to a hit like that and keep the occupant safe. And I agree with Sarlacc: airbags deployed = totaled. IMO, I bet the frame got bent and that should finish it off.

dom

I'm going with totaled. Good luck, glad you're ok.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

That looks totaled to me. Like everyone else said glad you're ok and made it out unharmed!

Legend2TL

Looks totaled from the structural damage and perhaps major engine damage.

oo7spy

No poll? Totaled.

This totaled my RL. It was only quoted at $14k in repairs, and State Farm paid $21k. Good luck. Glad you are safe.



Not to blame the OP or drag this off topic, but I rarely think swerving is the best idea.

k7780446

ya I am hoping that a lot of you are correct about being totaled, as the damage is so bad I don't think that it will ever be the same and or ever be as safe!

Also I know the general rule of thumb is that you should not swerve, but in this case the police officer said if I hadn't I would have most likely killed the driver on impact. so with that being said I am grateful that I do not have that on my mind!

I know the car left the scene but I also believe in Karma and know that they will get what they deserve! I just know a accident like pulling out in front of someone isn't punishable by death, especially by me!

k7780446

So what do you guys think about companies that can help out with a Diminished Values claim? I figure I can bring this up if the adjuster is on the fence about totaling it.

I was told to look at autoloss.com

any input?? Oregon apparently has really good laws and regulations for insured motorist.

oo7spy

I hear ya. I put the "rarely" in my comment because a life is always worth more than a car. At the same time, you could have died too. If you would have hit that pole on your door... Not something to dwell on, but not to be overlooked either.

So did the insurance let you off the hook for fault? I assume the deductible comes out of your pocket if they can't find the person.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Totaled.

Glad you were alright. That's all it matters.

k7780446

Im not to sure about the at fault part yet, we are still waiting on the shop to give me a call and let me know what they think. the once thats figured out ill start the debate/negotiations for everything and also bring up the whos at fault question, its not gonna be a fun discussion im sure

VR1

Totalled. My Mazda 6 got hit pretty hard and the damage looked almost identical to yours. Most imprtant thing is your all right.

Moog-Type-S

k7780446

still no reply on autobody shop

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

dont worry, they take forever.

mrstak

iTrader: (1)

my guess is totaled as well. my car was hit on the driver side and lots of internal stuff was damaged. if your engine got pushed back, i'm guessing fixing the internals for that would be pretty costly too. glad you're safe though.

majin ssj eric

Looks totaled to me. Can't imagine there's not any frame damage after a 45mph hit like that...

D's Up

That car is done. Totalled for sure, glad to hear you made out alright though OP.

dallison

It is most definitely totalled.

KieranM37

I'd say that's totaled. Glad to hear you're alright though, sounds like it could have been a lot worse.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Even if the insurance comp. deemed it totaled, I wouldn't feel safe driving that particular car as the rigidity of the car is compromised. Especially from a front head collision.

k7780446

So the shop isnt open today but the owner invited me down to atleast see the damage and open the hood for me sense yesterday he didnt have time.

damage from what we can see with out getting it lifted up.
-passenger side motor mount sheered off,
-headlights both gone
-bumper
-core support
-both fenders
-hood
-radiator
-windshield cracked
-airbag (drivers side)
-passenger mirror
-and any miscellaneous parts between the bumper and the engine.

and from what we saw, there is transmission fluid leaking somewhere and we weren't able to see the cause, with the motor shifting sense the passenger side mount tore on impact there s a good chance the tranny or housing was damaged. ill know more on Monday once they get it on the lift. The owner didn't wanna give me a definitive answer but he said there is a good chance it could be totaled once he gets under it to see the damage.

phile

There will be damage - I got rear ended at 35 mph and my car looked just like a minor bender fender. But then the shop showed me the real damage to the subframe and I could see why the insurance company deemed it a total loss. These newer cars are designed to absorb an impact, thus killing itself while protecting you. She saved your life, bid her adieu and move on.

fsttyms1

I REALLY hate it when people say stupid stuff like this. If the shop you bring it to is certified and does the job correctly it will be EVERY bit as safe and the same as before. Cars (most are unit body) dont have Frames anymore, metal doesnt get pulled straight and reused. The damaged components of the structure are replaced.

But they way things are today with repair prices odds are the ins company will total it. If not push for it to be so you dont have to worry about diminished value.

Sorry, but BS!!!

ttribe

Totaled or not, that car looks like it did its job and saved you from, at least, significant injury. Kia deserves some kudos for good craftsmanship as far as safety is concerned.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

So kris, if you took a robot and crashed it at 45 mph and you tried to stretch the same metal, you dont think it would be strong as before?

AZuser

This is probably what they'd do if the unibody was damaged. Personally, I wouldn't want that.

charliemike

Well, then manufacturers do a terrible job explaining how their engineering makes that possible. Because if I got in a crash like that, I wouldn't want to drive the car again.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

That's insane! I always thought that was illegal, but I guess it's not if it's repaired verses chopped.

k7780446

Looks like the engine block and trans both cracked which they said will be close to 10k alone and that 99% the insurance will total it, if it was the shops call he said he would call it a total loss

Moog-Type-S

^^ They are gonna total it and offer you peanuts in return.

k7780446

good thing i have gap insurance!