Got Smoked By A Taxi That Ran A Red Light!

[Senna4ever]

Well, all the hard work keeping my car in mint condition may have gone to waste. I got hit by a taxi that ran a red. I'm ok, save for some aches & pains. Tough car, she is! The Taxi, a newer Buick model had its front end smashed in about halfway up the hood. *sigh* Funny thing is, all my exterior lights (even the one hanging off the side) still worked, and the engine didn't shut off automatically. My car has the AVS feature....I guess that's expensive to fix? I just want my car back...

[SKperformance]

Damn , glad your ok.

Looks like you need a new

bumper

fender

hood

door skin

wheel

corner light

headlight

suspension check but probably a control and a CV

If you ever wanted to upgrade to 00-01 headlights and bumper now would be the time.

[camlex]

Good you are okay.

As long as car chases is okay, they (Insurance) will fix it.

No problem

Sorry to hear bad news.

[Toysrme]

Crappy. I see 3500 in body damage, save actually having to fix any mechanical damage with the suspension, or frame.

Glad you're OK.

Wait, I didn't notice the rear 1/4 panel bent in, make it 4500-4750 in body damage!

And whatever an alignment costs at least.

[lexusk8]

Damn, glad to hear you're OK. I was in the same situation last March. I was driving along on a main road, going around 35 mph, and some girl in a late model Corolla suddenly pulled into my path from the side. It was too late to avoid :cries:

But police report, witness report and insurance found her at fault, and her insurance ended up paying about $5,000 to fix the damages on my '01 ES, as shown in the pic below.

[mburnickas]

Crappy. I see 3500 in body damage, save actually having to fix any mechanical damage with the suspension, or frame.

Glad you're OK.

Wait, I didn't notice the rear 1/4 panel bent in, make it 4500-4750 in body damage!

And whatever an alignment costs at least.

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For that price they will maybe total the car.

[Senna4ever]

Thanks guys...it seems everyday reveals some new aches & pains. Went to see my doctor, and he said I have no skeletal damage, just some soft tissue damage. Went to see my baby at the wrecker's...ugh. :cries: Oh, well...in light of recent natural disasters, my problems don't amount to a drop in the bucket I guess.

That engine mount seems a little crooked to me...

All the doors open & close without a problem, so I guess the frame hasn't been twisted. I'm worried about the front frame where it seems it's been bent in towards the engine bay. I will know their decision on Monday. *sigh* Getting extra seat time in the Prius now....I guess I'll save some money on gas.

lexusk8: Was your car any different after being repaired in terms of handling or ride?

[SKperformance]

After that pic of the engine bay i would sell it.

You have structural damage and they never fix them perfectly after.

[sovietlexus]

ill buy it :)

[Senna4ever]

ill buy it :)

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You're gonna have to come to Vancouver to pick it up!

[lexusk8]

lexusk8:  Was your car any different after being repaired in terms of handling or ride?

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Senna4ever, after my car was repaired, my car drives perfect and without any problems with alignment or suspension. Part of the fixes includes replacement of the entire front passenger suspension (i.e. wheel hub and bearing, steering knuckle, strut and ball joint) and an alignment service. Keep in mind that this suspension part is where most insurance adjusters tend to overlook since they usually observe the exterior damage only, so make sure the taxi's insurance note the suspension damage on your car, and get a new alignment done as well.

Do you have any leaky fluids? From my accident back in March, my windshield washer fluid reservoir was damaged and had to be replaced, so you might want to take a look at that on your car.

One more thing I can tell you from my experience is you're allowed to choose any body shop/service shop to get your ES repaired. I suggest having it done at a Lexus dealership as they will sometimes see new affected items from a damaged car the insurance did not catch the first time, and will pressure the insurance for more money. Insurance companies do not generally like customers having their cars repaired at a dealership, but you're perfectly welcome to do so as you do not want a lowball figure from an insurance adjuster (i.e. low insurance quote = poor quality fix from a shop).

That's all I can bring up for now. Please keep us posted on your progress with the insurance, and send me a PM if you have any further questions about this experience. Good luck! :)

BTW, if you haven't done so, make sure your taxi's insurance foot your medical bill as they're responsible for any effects with your physical health. This is most critical out of all.

[ArmyofOne]

lexusk8:  Was your car any different after being repaired in terms of handling or ride?

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Senna4ever, after my car was repaired, my car drives perfect and without any problems with alignment or suspension. Part of the fixes includes replacement of the entire front passenger suspension (i.e. wheel hub and bearing, steering knuckle, strut and ball joint) and an alignment service. Keep in mind that this suspension part is where most insurance adjusters tend to overlook since they usually observe the exterior damage only, so make sure the taxi's insurance note the suspension damage on your car, and get a new alignment done as well.

Do you have any leaky fluids? From my accident back in March, my windshield washer fluid reservoir was damaged and had to be replaced, so you might want to take a look at that on your car.

One more thing I can tell you from my experience is you're allowed to choose any body shop/service shop to get your ES repaired. I suggest having it done at a Lexus dealership as they will sometimes see new affected items from a damaged car the insurance did not catch the first time, and will pressure the insurance for more money. Insurance companies do not generally like customers having their cars repaired at a dealership, but you're perfectly welcome to do so as you do not want a lowball figure from an insurance adjuster (i.e. low insurance quote = poor quality fix from a shop).

That's all I can bring up for now. Please keep us posted on your progress with the insurance, and send me a PM if you have any further questions about this experience. Good luck! :)

BTW, if you haven't done so, make sure your taxi's insurance foot your medical bill as they're responsible for any effects with your physical health. This is most critical out of all.

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Well, is she totalled? Im glad to hear you are ok. that really sucks. having had 2 in a year, i know its hard to recover sometimes. i recovered from mine with liability only insurance. full coverage may be easier...not sure.

[SW03ES]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was totalled. Thats $5k in work easy.

Glad you're okay! I can only imagine how you feel but cars are just things that can be replaced, be glad you're okay.

As for the repair, I used to believe that once a car was in an accident like that it would never be the same again. BUT, recently I've seen some body and frame work thats amazing and even I couldn't tell the difference, and I'm REALLY picky. Technology is getting better all the time.

If they do decide to repair it, take some time and choose the best shop you can find. I wouldn't have it done at a Lexus dealership, dealership bodyshops on the whole aren't as good as independent body shops IMHO because they don't have to rely on the quality of their work or referrals to stay in business. A dealer shop will always have business from the dealer.

Look around and find a good shop that does a lot of high end cars. If you were here I'd know right where to send you...

[mburnickas]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was totalled. Thats $5k in work easy.

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As I noted above, I think they will (total it). The book value is worth like 75% to fix it.

My wife had someone, I will say person that could not speak english hit her, and she let the clown go. She felt bad when the moron hit a her ( a pregnant women.) She called and said it was not that bad.

When I got home she said I could just buff it out. I said sweetie, I am not a magician. Well, fender gone, bumper gone, headlight gone & headlight bracket gone. That was about $1100 for OEM parts never mind paint, clear coat, blending door to fendor, hood to fendor etc.

No insurance since she did not get his plate number or call the cops! To this day I am still smoking over it. This was 3 weeks ago. Car is all fixed but I hated paying the guy with "large bills".

[Senna4ever]

lexusk8: The washer resevoir was broken in the impact, but no other fluids seem to be leaking.

I am going to have it towed to a Lexus specialist, but only if the car isn't written off. Checking local ads, it seems my car is worth around $15,000CDN, so I'm guessing a repair bill of more than $10,000 will write it off.

I will know the status of my car on Monday, as I have an appointment with the adjuster at 3pm.

[arutha]

Ouch. I had an even dumber accident happen about a month ago when a neighbor crashed into my '93 Ford Probe (may it RIP) and totalled it as it was parked outside my house! They really need to ban the use of mobile phones in cars here in Illinois. On the other hand, the wreck allowed me to join the Lexus club.

Well, all the hard work keeping my car in mint condition may have gone to waste.  I got hit by a taxi that ran a red.  I'm ok, save for some aches & pains.  Tough car, she is!  The Taxi, a newer Buick model had its front end smashed in about halfway up the hood.  *sigh*    Funny thing is, all my exterior lights (even the one hanging off the side) still worked, and the engine didn't shut off automatically.  My car has the AVS feature....I guess that's expensive to fix?  I just want my car back...

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[Senna4ever]

Acckk... it's official. It's a total loss...over $12,000 in damage. Both wheels broken, both front suspension gone(I had AVS), frame pushed about 1.5 inches into the engine bay, subframe bent, both driveshafts destroyed, tranny destroyed, right rear quarter panel dented, a/c system destroyed..... :cries:

Went to my GP today... have extensive soft tssue damage in my neck & back. Also a nice big diagonal bruise on my chest from the shoulder belt. Advil is my friend.

On a brighter note, at least I'm saving $$$ on gas because of my forced seat time in the Prius! Hurts to shoulder check, though.

[lexusk8]

I'm sorry to hear about that news Senna, even more sorry about the medical issues you're overcoming. But be glad that you're alive and well, and that's what matters the most. I'm sure the $12K (or whatever the final amount will be determined by insurance) check will give you many options when you're planning to replace your car.

[SW03ES]

Sorry to hear that, but really you're better off having it declared and finding a new one if the damage is that extensive. It wouldn't have been the same again.

So...what are your options for a replacement?

[91L3xus]

Has anything been filed or charged against the taxi company or the driver himself? I don't know if that had been mentioned, but if you were injured as seriously as you're stating, I would think the driver or the company must provide compensation for your loss of a car and personal injury. However, the most important thing is that you're still alive, I guess that takes priority over everything else...what good does a new car have if you're not around to drive it?

[SKperformance]

I agree much better to let it go that put it back together but i am sure it will be sold at auction and rebuilt as a light panel damage car.

Some one will be driving it in about 5 months.

Maybe we shuold make a stolen totalled vin list so owners can put the vin up so unsuspecting buyers can check in case.

[es300ed]

"Went to my GP today... have extensive soft tssue damage in my neck & back. Also a nice big diagonal bruise on my chest from the shoulder belt. Advil is my friend."

I was rear ended about 10 years ago and neck pain appeared the next day. A back doctor had me see a physical therapist who gave me a couple of exercises to do and the pain went away in about a week - never to return.

You may want to see a specialist. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.

Ed

[SW03ES]

Maybe we shuold make a stolen totalled vin list so owners can put the vin up so unsuspecting buyers can check in case.

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Thats not a bad idea at all...

[mikek753]

Maybe we shuold make a stolen totalled vin list so owners can put the vin up so unsuspecting buyers can check in case.

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Thats not a bad idea at all...

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Yes, I agree the idea is very good - but, it's just an idea for a while and some day we may use it

That's why I pay for new car all I can then buy used one as it's so hard to tell about was car totalled (new title comes clear from DMV), accident might not be reported and appear in carfax, and etc.

I'm not a car pro, so I can't take chances buying used car.

[93lexuses]

Sorry to hear about what happened. I sure am glad to hear that you are ok. I hope that your back and neck fills better.

sk,

I think that you have a great idea.