18 wheeler vs PT Cruiser

[William_F]

Yesterday, an this 18 wheeler backed into my Cruiser. The trucker wasn;t from around here and didn't realize the lane he was in on the toll way didn't accept cash. Instead of getting out and getting the attendant in the booth next to him, he decided to try and back up and change lanes.

We couldn't move because there was traffic behind us and we were scared that we would back into someone. We honked and hoped he would realize we were there, but he didn't until he heard the crunch of our front end.

At least he admitted to the cops that he backed into us, so it will be in the report, which will make getting his insurance to cover the damages much easier.

Aside from the hassles that come from this, I am frustrated because just last week I'd spent over 3 hours polishing and waxing the car.

[Styggian]

Wow! What an idiot. And I'd be livid. Someone broke into my car and stole my stereo and THAT had me screaming and cussing. If someone backed into the car like that, I might kill them! (Or just want to really, really bad!)

Hope you can get that all fixed up without too much hassle.

[twress]

I saw a few years ago an 18 wheeler turning left with a car along the drivers side it at an intersection on an off ramp. It picked the car up on two wheels and dragged it for a couple of hundred yards around the corner before the driver noticed it stuck on his truck. All I could see was the ladies arms through the back window as she was screaming. I guess he never checked his mirror before he turned.

[William_F]

Originally Posted by Styggian

Wow! What an idiot. And I'd be livid. Someone broke into my car and stole my stereo and THAT had me screaming and cussing. If someone backed into the car like that, I might kill them! (Or just want to really, really bad!)

Hope you can get that all fixed up without too much hassle.

I was/am a lot annoyed about this as I feel it was the result of poor judgment on the part of the trucker, but stuff happens.

[Styggian]

Oh, too true, but I can get a little overexcited sometimes. I really doubt I'd be thinking "stuff happens" to keep me cool.

[Candyman]

Hey their Will,

Oh boy, sorry to hear bout your involuntary front end redesign their.

While it really was not a terribly bright move on behalf of the Truck Driver, and I can appreciate the aggravation for sure, having spent several years in the cab of a Truck, it can be a pretty tough job especially for new or poorly trained Drivers who just lack the ability, and common sense to Drive a Truck. Their is such a huge demand for Truck Drivers that a few Companies like Swift, CR England, and US Express, offer their own Trucking Schools which are well known for providing very poor training which churns out poor Drivers.

At any rate that is what is known in the Truck Driving Industry as a Preventable Accident which if it was a Company Driver, many Companies would find that as grounds for Termination, and automatically goes on his/her MVR and DAC Report where it will remain for 10 years which will make it much more difficult to get a decent Truck Driving Job with any reputable Company. I believe if you have 3 Preventable Accidents within 10 years, or worse a roll over, you are un-hireable, period until enough time has passed to clear off their record. Plus since it goes on the MVR it will most likely knock points off on his license, and shoot his personal Car Insurance up as well. Lastly, he was required to go to the nearest Truck Stop and take a Taxi to a local Clinic to take a manditory Drug and Alcohol test since their was more than $500.00 worth of damage. So that one is just a not too great situation all the way around for anyone.

Anyways, it looks like that friendly DOT Bumper got your hood, most likely both fenders, grille, possibly that right headlight, bumper, lower valence, radiator, radiator supports, hood latch, emblem, all hardware, paint, and all, so I would venture to guess you are probably looking at close to $3000.00 - $3500.00 plus to fix if their isn't more internal damage under the hood back towards the firewall etc. Once it gets up around that kind of money, thir might be a slight possibility that they could right it off and not bother with fixing it, but its hard to say without seeing it in person and taking it apart to see what the internals look like. It could go either way.

As I am sure you have probably read this in several of my other posts in the past, never ever under any circumstances let them use any aftermarket parts verses OEM Parts should they decide to repair as their version of Aftermarket Parts are very cheap OEM knock-offs which will not gap right, and will result in a poor repair job! Also, especially now that you are pretty well into Detailing, should they repair it, make double sure to try to either see it inside under florescent shop lighting, or try to bring a good bright portable flood light with you if you have one to do a good close inspection of the paint to make sure they blended it well, and their are no real visible defects that might need more attention. It is always better to address these types of issues before taking delivery rather than coming back after the fact.

I know its a bit of a mess, but on the brighter side, it could have been worse.



Go easy, good luck on however it goes, and if you have an questions on the paint & Body stuff, you know I am always around and more than happy to try n help any way I can anytime.

Take care.

Candyman

[William_F]

It definately could have been worse! Sometimes things happen. The driver was very polite and admitted he made a bad decision, so it was hard to be mad at him.

Thanks for the reminder on OEM parts. I'll be sure to specify that at the shop.

Hopefully they won't declare it a total loss. I really love the car and I know I can get another one, I just don't want to. NADA lists the retail on the car at around $7,000 and we only owe about $4800, so I would think as long as the damage is under $4,000-$5,000 we should get to keep the car.

[Candyman]

Hey their Will,

Cool deal, and keep me informed. Its really up to what it looks like internally that could be a 50/50 deal breaker. Should be interesting to see how close I am on estimating.

Yeah, the only bad experience I ever had with a Truck was when that one partner I had accidentally fell asleep at the wheel while I was asleep in the bunk ending my driving career, and the reason why I am still the way I am today. Though I got the better end of the deal as he wound up crushed to death under the lead trailer buried under 23,000 LBS of freight, so since then I always try to see the brighter side as much as I can even though it is a pretty good challange now and then for sure.

Anyways, you go easy, let me know how things work out, and any questions, you know where I am.

Candyman

[William_F]

Its really up to what it looks like internally that could be a 50/50 deal breaker. Should be interesting to see how close I am on estimating.

Well, if you want to estimate the damge the pictures don't show I can let you know.

I got a call from the body shop earlier and the insurance company had green lighted them to start the repair process, so they took it into the bay and started breaking it down.

Then they got to the parts the adjuster didn't see when he looked at. They said the radiator is shot (knew that already), the starter is toast, there is severe damage to the power steering system and the part where the dipstick goes down into the crankcase is bent out of shape.

I have no idea what the original esitmate was, but the revised estimate with the extra mechanical is over $6,000. Since clean NADA reail on the car is only about 7, the shop and I are thinking they're going to call it a total loss.

Hopefully, they don't shaft me on settling the damage. After the payoff, I'd get about $2,000 back. I'm sure the credit union would open me a new auto loan, but I really don't want to go through all that.

I've already decided I want another PT, so to make me feel better, I started trolling Yahoo autos to see what was out there. I found a black 2005 GT that I think will ease my pain.

Details of Used 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Garland, Tx - Yahoo! Autos

I think I really want this one if I have to get a new one. It would actually be an upgrade over the one that was wrecked. It was a base model 04. I looked at clean retail in the GT and it was considerably higher than what the seller is asking. Hopefully there's nothing wrong with and he's just wanting to get rid of it

[delrosen]

Nice car at a very good price; might want to invest a few bucks and carfax it to see why selling so cheap. Just remember, the GT will require premium gas...