Sharing the Road with Kids
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
Sharing the Road with Kids
Take a busy highway at 4:45pm. Add a 17 year old beginner driver, driving a piece of sheit Ford Windstar (Panzer) sharing on the same piece of road with me and guess what you get? An unwanted conversation with an insurance agency and a trip to the body shop. 
It could have been worse had it not been for my quick thinking. This kid came barreling out of a parking lot from the right and I swerved left to avoid T-Boning this kid. He only sustained a broken turn signal while I got some pretty good size body damage. When they say "Built Ford Tough", they were serious!
Now the part of my life that gets wasted working with their insurance company. Oh joy. At least no one was hurt. Here are some pics:
My damage
His damage
It could have been worse had it not been for my quick thinking. This kid came barreling out of a parking lot from the right and I swerved left to avoid T-Boning this kid. He only sustained a broken turn signal while I got some pretty good size body damage. When they say "Built Ford Tough", they were serious!Now the part of my life that gets wasted working with their insurance company. Oh joy. At least no one was hurt. Here are some pics:
My damage
His damage
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
I meet with his adjuster tomorrow and will hopefully have her in the shop by next week. There is a local shop that specializes in BMW and Benz repairs called Berlies. The claims rep said they were on the expensive side and mentioned that their insurance company (Progressive) would only cover up to a specified hourly rate. Since Berlies was expensive, I may be footing some of the cost.
I told her I will not be paying for any repairs period. 
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I'm 16.... I may not be that experienced but atleast I have common sense. I think that in America it is waaaay to easy to get a drivers license. You don't even have to speak or read english... America should up the standards so **** like this doesn't happen. Maybe take some hints from Germany. It's killer to get a license there; a couple more ranks up and your practically a semi-pro driver. Sorry about the damage mbarrad, I apologize on behalf of all young, inexperienced drivers.
just my 2¢
Alex
just my 2¢
Alex
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: Illinois, Indiana
2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
I have to agree with this statement, went comparing America to the rest of the world, Europe + Asia, I also agree America makes obtaining driving privilege too easy. (Not saying that is good or bad, but just the way it is)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
Dropped the car off this morning at a local Mercedes owned bodyshop called Continental Collision in Austin. They say they are one of 8 MB authorized bodyshops in the nation. Don't know if I really buy that.. They said they use Mercedes Benz paint and clearcoat just like they use at the factory. I should get it back on Friday if everything goes ok.
Anything I should pay attention to while inspecting the finished work?
Anything I should pay attention to while inspecting the finished work?
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Manchester, England.
CL203, W211
Dropped the car off this morning at a local Mercedes owned bodyshop called Continental Collision in Austin. They say they are one of 8 MB authorized bodyshops in the nation. Don't know if I really buy that.. They said they use Mercedes Benz paint and clearcoat just like they use at the factory. I should get it back on Friday if everything goes ok.
Anything I should pay attention to while inspecting the finished work?
Anything I should pay attention to while inspecting the finished work?
plus, take it for a road test around thier parking lot if its big enough, check theres no rattles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 8
From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
First thing you need to check is if theyve buffed it out properly after theyve cut it, i got mine back with swirl marks all over the bonnet where they hadnt spent enough time on it, so i took it back in a very bad mood and they sorted it for me
plus, take it for a road test around thier parking lot if its big enough, check theres no rattles.
plus, take it for a road test around thier parking lot if its big enough, check theres no rattles.
Just giving you some grief. All Coupe guys are cool in my book.
Sorry about the accident. What did the kid say? Was he not looking or something?
E
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
It could have been much worse for him if I had called the local PD, but I know how he felt because I have been in his shoes before. Plus Texas has a new stupid points law now which will not only affect his driving record, but his dad's insurance as well. Chalk this up to a valuable learning experience for him.
I just hope that someone will be as nice when my son or daughter is in the same situation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 1
From: MA
E90 M3
After a few minutes of my not so friendly verbal tirade, all the kid could say was "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry". This kid really felt like sheit because he knew and admitted fault. This kid's judgement was way off on this one, and this accident should have never happened with an experienced driver. He was paying attention, but mis-judged his intentions, the traffic speed and traffic environment.
It could have been much worse for him if I had called the local PD, but I know how he felt because I have been in his shoes before. Plus Texas has a new stupid points law now which will not only affect his driving record, but his dad's insurance as well. Chalk this up to a valuable learning experience for him.
I just hope that someone will be as nice when my son or daughter is in the same situation.
It could have been much worse for him if I had called the local PD, but I know how he felt because I have been in his shoes before. Plus Texas has a new stupid points law now which will not only affect his driving record, but his dad's insurance as well. Chalk this up to a valuable learning experience for him.
I just hope that someone will be as nice when my son or daughter is in the same situation.
if he hit you any harder, doesnt MB send the police? or is that only on the newer models?
Kids...I live near three high schools. I fear the life of my benz everyday (every weekend for that matter). Glad your ok bro, and good luck.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: MD
2004 C320 Luxury Ed.
after they're done with the repair, make sure to check that rear door. I had a similar situation with a Honda that basically side swiped my driver's side rear door, rim, and bumper. One thing that took a while for the MB collision shop was re-aligning the rear door after painting.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
after they're done with the repair, make sure to check that rear door. I had a similar situation with a Honda that basically side swiped my driver's side rear door, rim, and bumper. One thing that took a while for the MB collision shop was re-aligning the rear door after painting.
I was told that I will get the car back on the 27th or a little before. I am in a Toyota Camary right now which is painfully underpowered for such a big car.
I miss my car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 1
From: MA
E90 M3
lmfao...they do, if your car senses that its been in an accident (that or just the airbags) mercedes sends the police. some guy that got hit in an e55 had this convenience, he talked about it somewhere on the forum.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Austin,Texas
2005 C230SS
Well, got the car back a week ago and the shop did an awesome job! I can't tell that it was ever hit.
Which is why I am going to bring it back to them next week to repair the other side. Someone hit my wife this morning and will now have to start the process all over again! I am going to have the body shop paint a target on my car so that it'll be easier to hit.
I'll post pics later.
Which is why I am going to bring it back to them next week to repair the other side.
Someone hit my wife this morning and will now have to start the process all over again! I am going to have the body shop paint a target on my car so that it'll be easier to hit.I'll post pics later.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
I'm 16.... I may not be that experienced but atleast I have common sense. I think that in America it is waaaay to easy to get a drivers license. You don't even have to speak or read english... America should up the standards so **** like this doesn't happen. Maybe take some hints from Germany. It's killer to get a license there; a couple more ranks up and your practically a semi-pro driver. Sorry about the damage mbarrad, I apologize on behalf of all young, inexperienced drivers.
just my 2¢
Alex
just my 2¢
Alex
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
Nothing wrong with 17 year old beginner drivers. I have a problem with young kid drivers who thinks they are great drivers just because they can drive fast. When they get into an accident, they don't pay the bills, the parents do. I've seem too many fatal accidents caused by young inexperienced drivers drag racing at night.
Sorry, just my 2.
Sorry, just my 2.
