Anoj

Hey guys,

So yesterday the unfortunate thing happened. My 2016 A-SPEC got rear ended at a stop light . The other driver said he was looking at the rear view mirror and by the time he saw me up front it was too late and then BAM. He admitted his fault and was very cooperative. My damage was only a small hit in the rear bumper and the trunk lid piece beneath the tail lights. Judging from the sound and hit, I was surprised the damage was minor.

I took it to the Honda dealership and they estimated over $1400 in repairs. The insurance company came this morning and took a look at it. The dealer called me and said they will be replacing the bumper and the trunk lid piece - All OEM. My car literally has only 7500 KM.

The other issue I noticed was my alignment was a lil off. When I had the wheel straight it was going slight left. This was not happening prior to the accident. I mentioned this to the Honda advisor and he said that is not possible as it did not hit the wheels. And he stated the insurance company would not cover it. I obviously know how my car drives. I need to justify this to my insurance company and have them fix this. How could the alignment be affected with the hit? Suspension?

Any help is appreciated guys!

Anoj

Aman

Is that the only damage to the trunk? If so I would be surprised they're replacing it.

Anoj

@Aman it is the only damage to the trunk. You can't see it in the picture but it has been pushed in a few inches with the impact. The vehicle that rear ended me was a 1997 Chevrolet Astro van.

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

Sucks that it's on such a new car. Stealership probably did some donuts out back before giving you the car back because i doubt that accident threw out your alignment.

Anoj

After the collision, I drove it to the dealership so I immediately noticed it. The other driver's both air bags got deployed. Could this impact have twisted the frame in anyway?

SpraykwoN

No

slow-k24

Considering the damage didn't even damage the bumper or the foam bumper support behind it I can tell you the impact was without a shout below 30mph which is what those parts are designed to crush around. Which then says without a shout of a doubt no frame damage and no alignment damage. It could be possible that either you were driving on a banked surface that made the car pull one way(roads are usually banked to one side for drainage) or it's a placebo effect from the accident. Also the trunk and rear bumper area is a crush zone/ they will crumple before the frame even sweats.

Anoj

Thanks @slow-k24. The steering wheel is slightly off center and to the right, when driving straight. Just about over an 1 inch. I did put brand new winter tires last week, and they were balanced. It was driving fine. Ill take it to Acura for the alignment. I hope the alignment gets corrected and wheel gets centered.

01acls

Their insurance will pay for the frontend alignment. Don't fix it yourself, just show the off center steering wheel to the adjuster/estimator. There's no way a new car would've came with the steering wheel off center and the car pulling to one side with that low of a mileage.

slow-k24

His car isn't pulling to any side his steering wheel is simply bit centered when the wheels are straight, mine came the same way from the factory. Only mine the steering wheel is a bit left when wheels are centered.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

a good shop will inspect the car of any other damage, INCLUDING ALIGNMENT.

if your insurance and shop is telling you otherwise, you're getting screwed.

you need to be firm with them and ask them to look for further damage, including alignment.

Anoj

The appraiser has been informed, so I'm just waiting for them to get back to me. The car drives straight except for the steering wheel being off center. Could this be fixed with an alignment?

slow-k24

Yes it could be a tooth off on te steering Column( easy fix) FYI quality control sux for Acura these days so I wouldn't put it past them, if that check out then some massaging at the tie rods will fix it. But this has to be done by someone knowledgeable because it could mean they are chasing to get a good TOE adjustment if they don't do it properly but then again if it's just barely to one side that's within spec so long as it tracks straight and the toe is in spec

Anoj

So my insurance got back to me. The appraiser said there was only damage to the rear bumper and would not cause an issue to the alignment unless car was pushed into the curb. They advised me to have the dealership check the alignment when I bring the car in and if they can prove to the adjuster it was due to the accident they will do an additional work request.