Need some help assessing crash damage
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Need some help assessing crash damage
I was on my way to work and had to swerve to avoid a deer. I ended up hitting a curb around 30mph. I bent the rim and put a dent in the oil pan. I am hoping it's not too serious. There is also a good sized crack in the frame rail, I think this is a tow hook point. anyway, can this rim be fixed? I am guessing no. They are a nice set made by Boyd Coddington. Hopefully I can just buy one, I don't know if they are sold in sets. Should I be concerned about the crack in the tow hook? I am thinking I can just weld it. I didn't call the insurance co. and I just drove it home which was about 2 miles. I guess I am worried about major damage that I can't see. If I bent the frame or anything else. I am not really a great mechanic so I don't know what to look for or what to be concerned about. Please take a look at the pictures and point out any concerns. Nothing was leaking, smoking, or making horrible sounds as I drove it home. I was planning on replacing a lot of the front end stuff over the winter, tie rods, ball joints, bushings, shocks, so I am not worried about this stuff. Thank you for taking the time to read and hopefully respond.[IMG]
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Yes, I am going to take it to a body shop to be safe. I guess I am trying to figure out if I should go through insurance. I don't have any experience with this so I don't know what to expect regarding the cost. Replacing the rim alone is probably going to approach the $500 deductible. Is it possible to do serious damage to the frame by hitting a curb? Have any of you guys had similar experience and had to pay several thousand to fix a bent frame? Obviously I know you can't tell me much from looking at one bad picture, I am just wondering worst case scenario. Guess there is only one way to find out. Thanks again for your time guys
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: Shillington PA
I hate to say it, but if you are not loaded with spare cash to spend, call the insurance company.... but after you discuss it with the body shop.
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Check around, I'm sure there's a few places around you that strighten rims, that one looks repairable (by a professional). I don't know that you need to go to a frame shop...yet. Get the alignment checked first, if it's okay or can be adjusted, no problem. Thecrack looks like it may have already been there before the accident. Damage like this is pretty common when the streets start icing up. It's possible, but very rare that you would have frame damage. Remember once you tell the insurance company, they will consider it an accident even if you don't claim it (really!)
Last edited by zr1fred; Nov 20, 2011 at 10:25 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: Shillington PA
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Not sure about that rim if you look closely looks like the one spoke is totally curved in differently than the others. Maybe its the photo angle
Maybe the ins will pay for another set of similar value.
Could be a set on ebay somewhere?
If it bent that rim like that Id keep looking into susp pieces for addtl damage.
Maybe the ins will pay for another set of similar value.
Could be a set on ebay somewhere?
If it bent that rim like that Id keep looking into susp pieces for addtl damage.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Thanks for the insurance advice, that is helpful. I didn't know it would fall under collision. Hitting the deer does seem crazy but I guess it would be better than a head on with on coming traffic. I was also thinking the tow hook may have been bent before. I can't recall really looking at it previously but there is some oxidation that wouldn't be there if it just happened. I am not worried if some of the suspension parts were bent as I was going to replace a lot of it anyway. I just want to make sure the car is safe and I would rather pay a deductible now than find out later that I have some serious damage and it's too late to claim. Does anyone know if companies sell just one rim or do you always have to buy all 4. I sold the sawblades that also came with the car which kind of sucks now. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,599
Likes: 10
St. Jude Donor '16
I hate to say it, but if you are not loaded with spare cash to spend, call the insurance company.... but after you discuss it with the body shop.
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
Hit the deer.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Hatboro PA
I hate to say it, but if you are not loaded with spare cash to spend, call the insurance company.... but after you discuss it with the body shop.
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
The hoop is a tow point, not a big deal, but sudden impact to the rim, can be hard enough to tweek the entire car.
Finally, as a Police Officer, I always tell people involved with accidents, if a deer jumps out.... hit it. I know its hard to think that will destroy your car, however that curb, that on comming car, that house, that tree, etc will prob also do the same..... the difference is, if you hit a deer, it falls under comprehensive, and is not a fault crash, and wont raise your rates.... however swerving to avoid the same deer and striking something else, will fall under collision... and WILL raise your rates...
Whatever the case, glad your ok, and good luck!
But, smacking the curb at 30 and doing that much damage to the rim... I would be surprised if you didn't bend something else in the suspension, if not tweak the entire car.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: Shillington PA
I thought the whole smacking a deer thing was only considered comprehensive in PA, not all states? If I'm wrong, awesome, lol.
But, smacking the curb at 30 and doing that much damage to the rim... I would be surprised if you didn't bend something else in the suspension, if not tweak the entire car.
But, smacking the curb at 30 and doing that much damage to the rim... I would be surprised if you didn't bend something else in the suspension, if not tweak the entire car.
Honestly, I should have clarrified. On LTXtech, Im so much of a post *****, everyone knows me and where Im from, and they know that when I state something, its based on PA.... laws, etc... So bad habit, and I apologize.
I can only speak 100% for PA.... however, one way to find out.... call the ins co, with your number blocked (if you want anonymity) and ask the question where ever you live.
