Guess the damage
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
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Guess the damage
First accident in probably seven years (only 2nd ever) and I'm really, really pissed. I was on a back road w no shoulder going to the Christiana Mall in DE and a guy 4 cars in front of my decided to turn down a small side street at the very last second. Two guys behind him slammed on the breaks and were able to veer off into a yard. Guy in a F-150 in front of me could only half get off the road because of a tree and I was stuck w a large garbage can and a telephone pole. I kept straight (oncoming traffic in other lane) and my right front corner hit his rear left bumper.
Any other thoughts on what to do from a legal perspective are greatly welcome. I have a $1000 deductible (left over from when I was <25 w tickets, been meaning to drop it but was enjoying the cheap insurance) and am wondering how to proceed. The damage to his bumper is minimal and really just cosmetic. My hood is damaged in two areas, the passenger side quarter panel is bent pretty good in the very front, and there's a 1-2" scratch on my lower front bumper (if you can really call it a bumper) and the headlight is smashed. Luckily it looks like it's only those pieces and there's no frame damage. FWIW, this is a lease expiring 9/04 and I was thinking about getting a new ride in June and letting this sit for a couple months or trying to give it back early so the quality of the repair isn't all that important to me.
Any other thoughts on what to do from a legal perspective are greatly welcome. I have a $1000 deductible (left over from when I was <25 w tickets, been meaning to drop it but was enjoying the cheap insurance) and am wondering how to proceed. The damage to his bumper is minimal and really just cosmetic. My hood is damaged in two areas, the passenger side quarter panel is bent pretty good in the very front, and there's a 1-2" scratch on my lower front bumper (if you can really call it a bumper) and the headlight is smashed. Luckily it looks like it's only those pieces and there's no frame damage. FWIW, this is a lease expiring 9/04 and I was thinking about getting a new ride in June and letting this sit for a couple months or trying to give it back early so the quality of the repair isn't all that important to me.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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I'm not a good guesser with prices, but may this be an excuse to get the CL Grill or the Expression hood? 
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Banana Republic of Louisiana
2002 E55K RENNtech HP
Looks like about $4500 on the Benz and about $200 on the Ford!!! Let me know how my guess was, wildass or otherwise!
Sorry to see such damage and I hope the repairs come out first class!!
Sorry to see such damage and I hope the repairs come out first class!!
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
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Originally posted by vraa
I'm not a good guesser with prices, but may this be an excuse to get the CL Grill or the Expression hood?
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
I'm not a good guesser with prices, but may this be an excuse to get the CL Grill or the Expression hood?
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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well wont you be penalized in anyway for returning a car with an accident? it was a lease correct? will they ask upon returning the car if you have been in an accident? or they just dont car as long as you fix it...i heard u may pay a fine!!
Thread Starter
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Yeah, I definitely don't plan on putting any more upgrades into this with the little time I have left. Matter of fact I actually have a paint chip/ding that about an inch across (I won't post of pic since the thread is big enough already to those on 56k) on my grill that I've avoided getting fixed since the summertime because I'm handing it back it. It's really in an odd position and there's a scrape on the grill, only thing I can think of is that I hit a bird when I was driving.
I think I can talk the other guy out of contacting his insurance company if he hasn't already. Maybe throw him a small bone for his trouble with the understanding it's not an admission of guilt. Regardless of whether I pay out of pocket w parts coming from somewhere else or go to the dealer, what will happen when I go to trade it back in? Obviously I'll get it fixed but let's say the hood gap is a little off or they flat out ask if it's been involved in any accidents. I don't plan on lying if anything like that comes up but I'm not planning on volunteering any more information than needed. I would think unless the damage is obvious and the car isn't in a sellable condition then I would be covered.
I appreciate the estimates so far, keep them coming. Thanks to all, in the almost 2.5 years I've had the car everyone here has always been great. I might not have the highest post count, but I'm definitely here reading and reading.
I think I can talk the other guy out of contacting his insurance company if he hasn't already. Maybe throw him a small bone for his trouble with the understanding it's not an admission of guilt. Regardless of whether I pay out of pocket w parts coming from somewhere else or go to the dealer, what will happen when I go to trade it back in? Obviously I'll get it fixed but let's say the hood gap is a little off or they flat out ask if it's been involved in any accidents. I don't plan on lying if anything like that comes up but I'm not planning on volunteering any more information than needed. I would think unless the damage is obvious and the car isn't in a sellable condition then I would be covered.
I appreciate the estimates so far, keep them coming. Thanks to all, in the almost 2.5 years I've had the car everyone here has always been great. I might not have the highest post count, but I'm definitely here reading and reading.
Thread Starter
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Alright, so I just talked to the guy and he confirmed he's not going to file a claim. This leaves me w two questions: 1) in a situation like this where I'm the only one filing a claim and there's no police report will there be an "at fault" determination or does the insurance company just get it fixed, hit me w an increase and move on? 2) Will Benz give me h3ll for turning in a lease vehicle that's been damaged in an accident?
I'm 95% sure the answer to #2 is no. As others have mentioned I think the damage will be well above the deductible so filing a claim is probably better than fixing it myself.
I'm 95% sure the answer to #2 is no. As others have mentioned I think the damage will be well above the deductible so filing a claim is probably better than fixing it myself.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: New Jersey
SLS AMG | S65 AMG | GL550
Originally posted by Geoff
Alright, so I just talked to the guy and he confirmed he's not going to file a claim. This leaves me w two questions: 1) in a situation like this where I'm the only one filing a claim and there's no police report will there be an "at fault" determination or does the insurance company just get it fixed, hit me w an increase and move on? 2) Will Benz give me h3ll for turning in a lease vehicle that's been damaged in an accident?
I'm 95% sure the answer to #2 is no. As others have mentioned I think the damage will be well above the deductible so filing a claim is probably better than fixing it myself.
Alright, so I just talked to the guy and he confirmed he's not going to file a claim. This leaves me w two questions: 1) in a situation like this where I'm the only one filing a claim and there's no police report will there be an "at fault" determination or does the insurance company just get it fixed, hit me w an increase and move on? 2) Will Benz give me h3ll for turning in a lease vehicle that's been damaged in an accident?
I'm 95% sure the answer to #2 is no. As others have mentioned I think the damage will be well above the deductible so filing a claim is probably better than fixing it myself.
What can MB do to you for getting into an accident? It happens all the time, it's not your fault. As long as its fixed before returning and everything looks and works fine they can't do anything to you.
Erik
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From: South Florida
Fast Cars!
Originally posted by vraa
I'm not a good guesser with prices, but may this be an excuse to get the CL Grill or the Expression hood?
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
I'm not a good guesser with prices, but may this be an excuse to get the CL Grill or the Expression hood?
Also you might be able to get the new style lights, not exactly sure though, I'll wait untill more informative W203 guys can give you better advice.
Idiot! there is no CL grill for the C coupe!
And no Expression hood either! i think your thinking of a CLK or something!
:p
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 46
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From: Cali
2003 C230K Sedan
I say it'll probably cost around $3500 to fix it b/c i have the exact same car as yours and my fender was backed into and it left a huge dent. The body shop estimated it at $1400 to fix it and it is just a dent. The paint and labor is probably the most expensive...
