Hey all,

This last weekend I was heading back home after it started to ice in the area a little bit. Driving in the right hand lane with two lanes heading in my direction. Next thing I know the guy diagonally in front of me starts to slide and ends up almost perpendicular in front of me. Ultimately I make contact with my front bumper to his rear bumper both in the corner. We come to a stop and then one after another 3 cars rear end me then the next one and so on.

As you can see from the pictures, the Benz came out pretty well from the back, was hit pretty hard and the green car had substantial damage and it essentially broke my diffuser.

Anyways, it was determined that since the car in front of me lost control and entered my lane, they were at fault for the damage to the front of my car and the car behind me was at fault for the damage to the rear. That was good news for me at first. Now I am just waiting for all the insurance companies to send out their adjusters to assess the damage before I move on. Has anyone ever dealt with this? Will I get to say I want to take my car to MB to get fixed or will they try to find some cheap place? Also will their insurance company pay to provide me with a car while mine is in the shop?

Thanks for any info you can provide, also nobody was hurt in the accident since it was at a relatively low speed.

that sucks man ....good luck with the repairs!

You're entitled to have the best repair possible on your car to return it to its previous condition. You will most likely have a rental covered.

Who is your insurance company/who is the insurance company paying for the accident?

Mine is in the shop now for a fender bender in December. They will have recommended shops, but you are free to take it wherever you want. Take it to an MB body shop to make sure you get the proper clear coat and such.

As far as rentals go - do you have rental coverage on your policy? I'm not sure how they handle it in a multicar wreck. For me - I was not at fault and we both had State Farm. Enterprise tried to put me in a Civic, and when I went to State Farm and complained that I wanted something the same size as what I drive (and what their policy states I should have been given), miraculously Enterprise found a 328i for me, which I have been stuck in for 2 weeks.

Their companies are Penn National and Horace Mann. I have Travelers. I'm not sure if I have rental coverage or not. So will their companies determine what they think the value of the damage is and then essentially cut me a check? I'm also hoping there isn't any frame damage. It was a clean no accident car when I got it last year.

As far as where to take it, I was just hoping I would be able to take it to Mercedes and let them have their way with it since I'm not paying.

And as far as the rental, I'm the same. I just want a comparable car, benz beemer whatever.

its funny because i am a Travelers appraiser. in this line of work, you are entitle to bring your vehicle to any repair facility, but be warn, they will use aftermarket and used parts as their first choice of parts selection. there is just no way around it, it is pretty much absolute. the department of insurance does authorize insurance companies to do so, in which case you can't argue it. but you can how ever work with the shop of your choice and see if the shop can negotiate price match those aftermarket parts/used parts with OEM suppliers to get your OEM parts.

That's good info to know. Since I'm looking at a bumper, quarter panel and headlight; as long as they all appear new its ok with me. None of them are mechanical so it's not such a big deal. I will however be sure to bring up the issue with MB when I am finally told to take it somewhere to get it replaced.

Thanks for the info!

And diffuser!

i would highly suggest you go through Travelers for all your damages, and pay the deductible (since its the other party's fault, your deductible should get waived). the reason why i said go through travelers is because other companies uses aftermarket sheet metals and bumpers, Travelers is the only company that does not. so if you go through Travelers, you'll for sure have OE bumper. quarter you can't get aftermarket so that might be a used part. Bumper will most likely be reconditioned. headlights 100% a/m no matter what company.

You should be dealing with your insurance company, and they will deal with the other insurance companies.

You should not be talking to the other companies at all.

You should start from the beginning insisting that the shop be MB certified, and that is there are any questions about mechanical/electronic systems they work through a MB certified service center.

Good luck.

While all else is being sorted out, you don't have to worry about this. There is no frame. Like most modern vehicles, it's unitized body construction.

Seems in today's world, "Frame Damage" has been redefined as any damage that moves a suspension mounting point or a body panel mounting point.

My experience with my insurance company, Chubb, was different. OEM parts were the only consideration they offered. Aftermarket parts were never offered..and I watched and inspected all paperwork and parts used.

Perhaps by some, but nevertheless, incorrect. However, his car may have floor pan or fender inner or engine box damage, which could do as you suggest.

I agree that it is technically incorrect. Given how few passenger vehicles have frames any more, the term should probably be replaced with "Structural Damage", but old habits die hard.

http://www.naaamap.com/NAAA/document...cy_Jan2011.pdf

True, but part of why we're here is to help by sharing knowledge, so we've probably done some good. The OP will have more credibility asking a professional adjuster about the floorpan than a non-existent frame. OTOH, when he damages a pickup truck...

Just finished with the first of 3 adjusters, this one was from my insurance company. In total with labor he figures about $4,600 in damage between parts and paint along with painting surrounding areas to be sure the paint matches.

I did ask him in his opinion if there was any structural or frame damage and he said no, but we will have to wait and see once its all apart.

So far one of the companies has accepted the damage and we're still waiting to hear from the other one.

Get a list of the parts to be replaced vs. the parts to be repaired.

Got a print out, I plan to compare it to the list the other companies give me.

sorry to read about it, sounds like you're on the road to recovering your property, good luck!
did you save some diffuser as a memento?

The diffuser is still stuck on there a bit. I'm just glad that I haven't upgraded that yet. I just put on the JBSpeed rear lip a week ago. Glad that wasn't damaged.

that may be because you have something called the OEM endorsement, might want to check your policy for that, it usually cost an additional premium. That or your state or law prohibits the use of such parts...or your vehicle is less than a year old. for some companies, if the mileage is below a certain amount or if its the same model year vehicle, its OEM parts only.

INTERESTING USER NAME, are you a church going man?

in addition to asking MB dealer who their recommended B/S is. The OP has good advice.

Make sure all repairs are at least resto level 2.

Get a DV estimate from the resto specialist. Ask your dealer how much less they would give you in trade vs. a car that was not in the accident. This is a rough Diminished Value. After the repairs are complete use the DV estimate to be made whole but only go after the other drivers not their insurance companies.

Don't get your insurance company involved with DV.

Your insurer will not recognise, represent you or subrogate for loss of value. It's in your policy. Thus you have no obligation to inform them of a DV claim that does not involve them or other insurance companies. Some states like MA don't allow DV claims.

Buy some Blizzaks or the equivalent.

Hey, thank you for bringing up the DV. How do I go about a DV claim? The accident occured in NC. From what I can find I am able to file this in my state.

Talked to my claim handler and he said once they have accepted liability I can let them know I want to file a DV claim. Thanks everyone for the help and tips throughout this process. It's been a new one for me.