My 03 S55 rearended at 55mph...
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
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From: CALIFORNIA
2007 ML320 CDI, 2008 Smart ForTwo
My 03 S55 rearended at 55mph...
Well driving down the hwy at 55 mph traffic stopped for some odd reason and the guy behind me ON THE CELL PHONE (of course) plowed right into me. He was driving a Ford F150. Since I was hit from the right rear it slung me into the other lane of oncoming traffic missing another F150 almost head on ( I HATE FORDS). I came to a stop teleaid was on immediatley, flashers were on, rear view mirror swung out of the way. All saftey features performed flawless.... I just have some whiplash just got back from getting x-rays. Off work for 2 weeks per Dr's orders...... Oh well.... Now I am off to car shopping... Possibly another good used S55 or a new S65 havent decided.... Here are some pics...
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From: L.A., CA
'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
That makes me mad. I've always maintained that the police should ban those tailgating hicks in their pickups rather than pull over high performance cars for barely speeding. Dangerous driving is what causes crashes, not simply speed. Your 55 could stop in half the length of an F150, and ironically that's probably what left your trunk like that.
Glad you're okay. Take it as a sign from the Lord and get yourself a nearly-new S65
Glad you're okay. Take it as a sign from the Lord and get yourself a nearly-new S65
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
ouch
sorry to hear.
i hope you don't have AAA insurance in CA as i've been unsuccessful in trying to get car "totalled" even when the estimates are over half of the car's worth. in addition, they don't have a "dimished value" way to compensate for car either
good luck.
i hope you don't have AAA insurance in CA as i've been unsuccessful in trying to get car "totalled" even when the estimates are over half of the car's worth. in addition, they don't have a "dimished value" way to compensate for car either
good luck.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
I am so sorry to hear about this...but glad that you didn't get seriously hurt. I have to say though, for the speed that he hit you the rest of the car looks like its intact. Thank god for german engineering, it definately kept you safe!
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
I also wanted to ask, when you said all the safety features performed flawlessly and that the rear view mirror swung out of the way? What did it do exactly I didn't know about this saftey feature.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CALIFORNIA
2007 ML320 CDI, 2008 Smart ForTwo
Thanks guy for alll the replies... Ya I am SICK about it also. I am lucky that I wasnt hurt. I walked away from this accident, many people dont just walk away from accidents. Oh and to repond to the question about the reiwview mirror, Its designed to swing away from the occupants in a collision. As the gas and brake pedal are designed to move away from the drivers feet to prevent your feet from injury.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 872
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From: Saint Louis
CLS 63 S AMG , s500,clk550
mann im soooooo sorry to hear and see that.. its gonna hurt for a while... its ok though things happen.. its a loss in the mercedes world we can all feel your pain
we are glad you and your family are ok
we are glad you and your family are ok
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
glad you are okay and not hurt too badly; that is most important, afterall!
now - german engineering! take a look at that crumple zone! the decklid (boot) popped up and saved the back window from shattering and the right quarter panel crumpled under itself all to protect the occupants!
this picture alone justifies spending in excess of $100,000 of these cars, imho. i think the safety factor of these cars is often overlooked when we discuss these machines. so often we forget that these cars will save our lives when we enter an unfortunate circumstance like this one above. i think these cars are worth every penny of the high price they command. worth every penny!
now - german engineering! take a look at that crumple zone! the decklid (boot) popped up and saved the back window from shattering and the right quarter panel crumpled under itself all to protect the occupants!
this picture alone justifies spending in excess of $100,000 of these cars, imho. i think the safety factor of these cars is often overlooked when we discuss these machines. so often we forget that these cars will save our lives when we enter an unfortunate circumstance like this one above. i think these cars are worth every penny of the high price they command. worth every penny!
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Glad to hear you are okay. These things happen and rest assured, your insurance won't skyrocket since it was you who was nailed. I would also like to cast in my vote to get the S65! 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CALIFORNIA
2007 ML320 CDI, 2008 Smart ForTwo
SORE today........ Thank god for vicodine... No I did not see him from behind, I heard the tire screach and then BAM... His skid marks are 125 ft at least not sure what rate of speed that equates to. Any mathmaticians out there???
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From: Pennsylvania
2000 S430, 2002 Range Rover HSE 1985 BMW 535 (Sold), 99 BMW 530 (R.I.P), 98 Mazda Millenia (R.I.P)
Glad to see you walked away from it....I was involved in a similar accident in 2004, in which my beloved BMW 530i was totalled because the lady who hit me at almost 50mph was yapping away on her cell phone and ran the red light, smashing right into me. 
Hurray for German engineering, so I also walked away from the crash, and ironically she was also driving a Ford (Taurus).
Hurray for German engineering, so I also walked away from the crash, and ironically she was also driving a Ford (Taurus).
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From: NYC/FT Lauderdale
W220 M113K
Glad you are ok i hate Fords too, maybe u can make some money off the parts and deff the engine and headlights, hurts to see this on any car but most of all a mercedes. I say S65 all the way!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Jose Bay Area in California
2001 Mercedes Benz S55 AMG
Wow! Thank God you're okay my Friend! I can totally relate to what you are going through right now because I was rear ended by a Mini-Van on the Freeway in my 2000 S500 about 6 years ago and believe it or not the damaged rear end looked almost identical to yours...That's really creepy because looking at the pictures of your damaged S55 it vividly took me back to the day of my accident 6 years ago...I also had minor whiplash from that accident. Now I remembered again why I continue to drive these fine German machines! Good excuse to upgrade to an S65...
Good luck on your S65 hunt!
Good luck on your S65 hunt!
Last edited by gregwang; Nov 4, 2006 at 05:00 PM.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Ouch!
Glad to hear things turned out well in that one, it really could have been bad. Whatever you do, don't skip out on therapy, those hits from the rear have a way of wreaking havoc on the spine.
And you might want to break the other taillight too, those leeching insurance companies will use that as an excuse to say the vehicle is 'totalled'.
And you might want to break the other taillight too, those leeching insurance companies will use that as an excuse to say the vehicle is 'totalled'.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: CALIFORNIA
2007 ML320 CDI, 2008 Smart ForTwo
update...
I was just about to give you all an update, but you beat me to the post.
Fighting with the insurance co. of the insured that him me. They are saying only $16,000.00 worth of damage per the adjuster. I had it taken to the body shop that my local MBZ dealer uses and they are at $47,000.00 They did a complete teardown of the car. The tunnel of the car has 3 really bad ripples in it. Its bad. The body shop and I are bet that by the end of the week they will just total the car and write me a check. I will keep you all posted.
As for me I have a fractured C4 vertebrae and 2 torn ligaments in my neck I am off work till at least late Jan.
All I can say is that its NO FUN! I am way to active of a person to just have to do nothing.
My attourney is taking care of the personal injury part. Thanks for all of the inquiries...
Fighting with the insurance co. of the insured that him me. They are saying only $16,000.00 worth of damage per the adjuster. I had it taken to the body shop that my local MBZ dealer uses and they are at $47,000.00 They did a complete teardown of the car. The tunnel of the car has 3 really bad ripples in it. Its bad. The body shop and I are bet that by the end of the week they will just total the car and write me a check. I will keep you all posted.
As for me I have a fractured C4 vertebrae and 2 torn ligaments in my neck I am off work till at least late Jan.
All I can say is that its NO FUN! I am way to active of a person to just have to do nothing.
My attourney is taking care of the personal injury part. Thanks for all of the inquiries...
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 790
Likes: 17
From: West Palm Beach
2004 S500
Sue the bistards....sounds like $1M minimum to me. This kind of BS has got to stop!!!
I hate to tell you but this injury will follow you for a long time. Any lesser car and you could have been paralyzed or killed...you are lucky.
BTW..how did the pre safe react and how well did the seat support you?
I hate to tell you but this injury will follow you for a long time. Any lesser car and you could have been paralyzed or killed...you are lucky.BTW..how did the pre safe react and how well did the seat support you?
Last edited by sprink49; Dec 6, 2006 at 11:19 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 53
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From: Laguna Beach, California
2003 CL55 AMG
Hang in there and be thankful you weren't left in a wheelchair. I also live in California and see accidents everyday on the freeways. I am always cautious of all these idiot drivers. Where did this happen? On the 405 or the 5 Freeway? As for your back, do not jump into back surgery right away if you can avoid it. I hurt my back several years ago and got relief with epidural injections by a pain care specialist. Let me know if you need further info. Heal fast and enjoy your next Benz!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 151
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From: CALIFORNIA
2007 ML320 CDI, 2008 Smart ForTwo
I am hanging in there. I live up north of sacramento, yuba city area. I was on Hwy 99. I do consider myself lucky, it could have been a lot worse. I could have been hit head on as well since I was thrown into oncoming traffic. Thanks again for all the input and info...
