Just Crashed My Car [Archive]

robbieduncan

Mar 26, 2005, 08:31 AM

:(

On hold to the insurance company right now. Looks like a right off! Was driving up the A13 towards London at ~70mph (within the speed limit) and someone in a white pickup decided they wanted my lane. Swerved hard and braked into hard shoulder to avoid contact and started to loose the back end. Corrected too much and lost it. At that point resumed standing on the brakes and went backwards into the central barriers.

I am fine. Totally uninjured (not even bruised). Car handled the impact very will, passenger area is totally as was before the crash. Essex Police were very quick and helpful.

Looks like I might be in the market for another car soon!

Pictures (from camera phone to follow).

musicpyrite

Mar 26, 2005, 08:33 AM

At least you weren't hurt. Glad to hear you have no injuries. :)

robbieduncan

Mar 26, 2005, 08:53 AM

Pictures below. Sorry about the quality, only had my phone on me.

edesignuk

Mar 26, 2005, 08:55 AM

OMG the Jag!!!!!!! :eek:

Glad you're OK!

angelneo

Mar 26, 2005, 08:58 AM

Pictures below. Sorry about the quality, only had my phone on me.
Sorry to hear about the accident. Do you mean the pictures are at your website? Do you mean that jaguar at your site? OMG.....

Blue Velvet

Mar 26, 2005, 08:59 AM

Also glad to hear that you are fine.

And what of the white pick-up?

robbieduncan

Mar 26, 2005, 09:00 AM

Sorry to hear about the accident. Do you mean the pictures are at your website? Do you mean that jaguar at your site? OMG.....

Pictures are above, but yes it's the same car as is on my site. Thanks to those above with the kind wishes. Insurance company now on the job. There are going to get an estimate for repair, but I think it'll be big bucks!

robbieduncan

Mar 26, 2005, 09:03 AM

And what of the white pick-up?

Basically not worth pursuing. I told the Police what happened, but without more to go on they are not going to be able to do much :( The insurance company asked about CCTV in the area, but I don't think there is any. Basically they will get away with it.

I'm not happy about that, but that's the way things are. I'll almost certainly loose my no-claims bonus, even though I don't admit liability. So the next car (I've already assumed that I won't get that one back) will have to be in a lower insurance group.

Blue Velvet

Mar 26, 2005, 09:10 AM

Basically they will get away with it.

Bummer.

Of course, the vehicle had to be white.

Sure it wasn't a white van man?
Someone's favorite villain around here... can't think who. :)

edesignuk

Mar 26, 2005, 09:15 AM

Sure it wasn't a white van man?
Someone's favorite villain around here... can't think who. :)
Grrrrrrr.....don't get me started!

*grabs baseball bat, arranges to meet with robbieduncan to go smash some windows*

skunk

Mar 26, 2005, 09:17 AM

Glad you're OK. Pity about the car. Even more of a pity about the insurance premiums. That's a real bummer because it can take three years to get them back to normal. Been there. :(

bousozoku

Mar 26, 2005, 09:48 AM

Basically not worth pursuing. I told the Police what happened, but without more to go on they are not going to be able to do much :( The insurance company asked about CCTV in the area, but I don't think there is any. Basically they will get away with it.

I'm not happy about that, but that's the way things are. I'll almost certainly loose my no-claims bonus, even though I don't admit liability. So the next car (I've already assumed that I won't get that one back) will have to be in a lower insurance group.

Sorry to hear about this. Glad you're okay.

I've resolved after the last time I swerved to avoid someone coming at me that it's just better to let them do the damage and take responsibility--to get them off the road.

Have a better day!

Eevee

Mar 26, 2005, 03:58 PM

Sorry to hear about the accident. How's your back and neck? Maybe see a doctor just to be safe? Heard that most victims start to feel their injuries months after the accident.

robbieduncan

Mar 26, 2005, 04:03 PM

Sorry to hear about the accident. How's your back and neck? Maybe see a doctor just to be safe? Heard that most victims start to feel their injuries months after the accident.

No pain at the moment. I don't think there will be. Since I hit the armco at a bit of an angle the car was not stopped instantly, but slid along it for a little bit. The impact force did not seem as hard as I would have imagined it to be. The seats in an XK8 are very supportive and well designed and the seat belts have pre-tensioners to help prevent whiplash. All in all I think I'm in good shape.

Thanks for the concern.

redeye be

Mar 26, 2005, 04:49 PM

nice slide you made there.

Good thing you where driving a good car. Imagine doing that with a peugeot 106...
No injurys, always the most important thing.
Have fun choosing a new one ;)

JesseJames

Mar 26, 2005, 05:41 PM

I can most definitely empathize with you.
My faithful heap of a car that I've been driving for the past 6 years finally bit the bullet this winter.
Lost control going down a hill around a curb. Early moring; snow on the ground; a little too careless.
Tore off the headlights and bent the hood and fender. Was able to drive away thought. Definitely not worth the money to fix up so I junked it. Not even the junkyards wanted it.
But you had a Jag! Ohhh the pain.

Applespider

Mar 26, 2005, 06:58 PM

Glad that you're OK - you never know, you might get the car back. My mother smashed a BMW 3 series into a truck in the mid-80s and they managed to rebuild it like new.

I do hate that insurance 'lose no claims' rule particularly when it wasn't your fault in the first place. Fingers crossed it's not too bad!

Covington

Mar 26, 2005, 07:16 PM

It's great that you're okay. That's what counts.

wdlove

Mar 26, 2005, 08:16 PM

I'm very sorry to hear about your accident. Just glad that you are alright. You should visit your physical just to be on the safe side. Try to get plenty of rest.

EJBasile

Mar 26, 2005, 08:24 PM

I know what its like. Years ago (1997) I when I had my Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas it was broken into not once, not twice, but three times in boston. The amazing this is I did not even live in boston, or work there. I would go there maybe a couple times every couple monthes. The repair costs were extrememly high. I also go rear ended by a young driver in the XJ6 and just to fix the bumper cost a fortune. Speaking of British cars my '01 Range Rovers air suspension broke a few monthes ago. Only $2,500 to get fixed.

iGav

Mar 27, 2005, 06:14 AM

So the next car (I've already assumed that I won't get that one back) will have to be in a lower insurance group.

That'd be a bummer... especially if you've seen this weeks Autocar and they list the cars you can have for only 100 notes a week, and your Aston Martin DB7 gets a mention in that list. :)

100 notes a week for an Aston Martin... literally no money at all. :)

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 06:36 AM

That'd be a bummer... especially if you've seen this weeks Autocar and they list the cars you can have for only 100 notes a week, and your Aston Martin DB7 gets a mention in that list. :)

100 notes a week for an Aston Martin... literally no money at all. :)

Was a Jag XK8, not an Aston, but still! Maybe I'll be able to get an Aston sometime in the future. I'd love to try a DB9 :)

Platform

Mar 27, 2005, 06:43 AM

Good to hear that you are OK and hope that everything is coverd for you insurance wise.

But these people should get caught and pay for it, and not get away with it :mad:

mad jew

Mar 27, 2005, 06:54 AM

That's criminal! That's an XK8! One of the most beautiful cars in the world! How can these people get away with it. :mad: Death to all white vans IMO!

Sorry, but I get quite passionate about XKs, they're gorgeous. :)

My condolences.

iGav

Mar 27, 2005, 10:02 AM

Was a Jag XK8, not an Aston,

I know... :) I just recall you mentioning that you'd have liked a DB7 when you were first looking at buying the Jag... wasn't sure if you'd read the current Autocar. :)

I still can't believe it's possible to buy an Aston for a mere 100 notes a week! I'd be tempted... if I liked Aston's that is. :p That said they also listed a Ferrari 348tb, but I've driven one of those and wasn't especially impressed, even it does look cooler than the later F355.

Any idea on the damage on the Jag yet? is it just external panels or has the damage gone deeper?

If the quote comes back reasonable, would you consider digging deep out of your own pocket to save you insurance premium and no-claims?

Abstract

Mar 27, 2005, 10:18 AM

Well, everything I wanted to say has been said already.

However, there's one thing: THAT is your definition of a "writeoff"?? The car doesn't look THAT bad.....well, not to me. Its just the back bit that's a bit mashed up.

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 10:56 AM

Any idea on the damage on the Jag yet? is it just external panels or has the damage gone deeper?

If the quote comes back reasonable, would you consider digging deep out of your own pocket to save you insurance premium and no-claims?

However, there's one thing: THAT is your definition of a "writeoff"?? The car doesn't look THAT bad.....well, not to me. Its just the back bit that's a bit mashed up.

As it's Easter I don't expect anyone to even look at it till Tuesday at the earliest. Every panel on the passengers side is damaged (the passengers door no longer opens very far as the car now has an nice armco shape all down than side) as is most of the rear. Due to the way the panels look to be constructed the left side damage means it's a new roof and major panel on the right hand side as they all appear to be one single panel! The left rear wheel is certainly damaged and did not appear to be totally straight, so the rear suspension/axle setup may well be screwed. Obviously the rear light clusters are smashed as the the front-left lights. The coolant inlet hose came off the engine, but I think that it's still OK as is the gearbox and interior.

Not sure how bad the damage is beneath the skin at the back, the car is significantly smaller than it started in that area!

I can't imagine that the parts would be cheap so it has to be at least £10k worth of damage. As I bought the car for £16k it's probably gone.

Thanks for the concern everyone!

On the Aston front £100 a week is still over £400 a month before insurance and running costs! The more I think about it the more I fancy an MX-5 for the summer at least!

PlaceofDis

Mar 27, 2005, 11:04 AM

glad to hear your not hurt, and i hope you pick a sweet new ride

WinterMute

Mar 27, 2005, 11:07 AM

that's just too sad for words rb, one of my favourite jag models too, glad your OK though.

My dad totalled his XJS near there about 6 years ago, shortened it by three feet and left the engine by the barrier! As in your case, the passenger cell was totally unaffected.

Get your no claims protected.

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 11:18 AM

Get your no claims protected.

It was only at 2 years when I started the current policy so not protectable. Sounds like your dad had a worse crash than me.

WinterMute

Mar 27, 2005, 11:35 AM

It was only at 2 years when I started the current policy so not protectable. Sounds like your dad had a worse crash than me.

Yeah, blew a tyre overtaking, overcorrected and went in nose first at about 75.

Spun back onto the carriageway and was lucky not to get hit again. Jag saved his life I think.

iGav

Mar 27, 2005, 12:44 PM

THAT is your definition of a "writeoff"?? The car doesn't look THAT bad.....

A write off doesn't necessarily mean that it's beyond repair, generally it's beyond economic repair where the cost of the repair would be unfeasible against the value of the car pre-crash and post repair.

Judging by the damage RD has listed, then it's highly likely that they'll just write it off, it's not that the crash damage is especially severe... just sounds like there's a lot of it.

Tis' sad... especially on such a nice car.

jimsowden

Mar 27, 2005, 12:48 PM

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 12:48 PM

A write off doesn't necessarily mean that it's beyond repair, generally it's beyond economic repair where the cost of the repair would be unfeasible against the value of the car pre-crash and post repair.

That's it in a nutshell. There is a chance that the insurance company (assuming they go this route) will be able to sell the car to a specialist repairer who will put the car back on the road. You sometimes see cars repaired like this in autotrader. You can only do this if the write-off is Cat C or D (both more or less mean the car is repairable). If it's Cat B then the chassis is normally damaged in this case the car cannot be put back on the road, but it can be stripped for components to be sold on. Cat A is straight in the crusher!

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 12:49 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're in England, wouldn't it be habitual to use Kilometers Per Hour?

Nope in the whole of the UK (not just England) we still use mph despite all of Europe using kph. We also drive on the other side of the road to them!

jimsowden

Mar 27, 2005, 01:28 PM

Nope in the whole of the UK (not just England) we still use mph despite all of Europe using kph. We also drive on the other side of the road to them!
I know that, but I thought you had toally switched to the metric system.

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 01:30 PM

I know that, but I thought you had toally switched to the metric system.

We use the metric system in shops and the imperial system when driving or in the pub. It's insane.

kettle

Mar 27, 2005, 01:55 PM

I know that, but I thought you had toally switched to the metric system.

Nah, we were totally forced into using the metric system, we get the EU poking it's nose into commercial vehicles though.

oh and a pint of milk is labeled as 568ml which I personally find satisfying on me cereal in the morning. :)

A big up yours to the EU and I'd like the Motorway speed limit up to Eighty if not abolished.

KingSleaze

Mar 27, 2005, 02:08 PM

Mechcozmo

Mar 27, 2005, 02:14 PM

No pain at the moment. I don't think there will be.

Still want to get checked out. Internal injuries often go unseen and unfelt until they become major internal injuries.

robbieduncan

Mar 27, 2005, 02:26 PM

Glad to hear that you are ok. Hope that things turn out well for you.

I too, was in an auto accident recently. I was rear ended after traffic came to a sudden halt. The pickup that rear ended me, drove my car into hitting the one in front of me. Insurance company of the guy that hit me, own up to the culpability of their client, is paying for all damages and a rental car while my car is in the shop.

Glad to hear that you're fine too. Hurray for quick and correct insurance settlements. Looks like I can afford to insure an MX-5 even with a full value claim for the XK-8 (it's less than the XK8 was).

In terms of the internal injuries thing I simply don't think I need checked out. I've almost certainly put much higher forces through my body snowboarding (I've crashed at a GPS measured 46 mph and stood up and kept going). If I feel at all unwell I'll go to a doctor, but as I am not registered with one I'd have to go and wait to see someone adding to the queue for everyone else when there does not appear to be anything wrong with me.

wdlove

Mar 27, 2005, 10:21 PM

In terms of the internal injuries thing I simply don't think I need checked out. I've almost certainly put much higher forces through my body snowboarding (I've crashed at a GPS measured 46 mph and stood up and kept going). If I feel at all unwell I'll go to a doctor, but as I am not registered with one I'd have to go and wait to see someone adding to the queue for everyone else when there does not appear to be anything wrong with me.

A yearly physical is recommended at least here in the US. If it has been more than two years since you have seen a physician and now with the accident, you should really consider a visit.

robbieduncan

Apr 1, 2005, 11:08 AM

Sorry to dredge this back up! For those interested I phoned the insurance company today to see what progress had been made and they said that they were going to declare the car a "total loss", i.e. a write off. So I just need to see how much they offer as settlement.

iGav

Apr 1, 2005, 01:00 PM

Sorry to dredge this back up!

I was going to post on Wednesday asking how it was all going... but figured you'd post when you'd heard something.

For those interested I phoned the insurance company today to see what progress had been made and they said that they were going to declare the car a "total loss", i.e. a write off.

Bummer. :(

So I just need to see how much they offer as settlement.

What excess have you got on the policy? hopefully not a huge one.

You still going after an MX-5 for a summer car?

robbieduncan

Apr 1, 2005, 02:10 PM

What excess have you got on the policy? hopefully not a huge one.

You still going after an MX-5 for a summer car?

Total excess is £350 (£100 compulsory, £250 voluntary). I'm looking at (via autotrader at the moment) 2001 1.8i S MX-5s. I got a quote to insure another XK8 and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected so I've not totally ruled that out either, but a convertible would be nice :)

kiwi_the_iwik

Apr 1, 2005, 04:49 PM

Maybe we should just hunt down and destroy EVERY White Van Man in the UK...

Damn, man - coulda been a helluva lot worse. Go buy yourself a lottery ticket!

I'm a firm believer in karma - that driver WILL pay...

Happy you're in one piece!

:)

Daveway

Apr 1, 2005, 05:00 PM

I wrecked my mom's car yesterday and mine is still in good condition. I was going to use her car to go down the street, but I didn't get past the driveway. It was around 10pm and someone decided to park their F-350 off to the side of my drive where no one EVER parks. Well I guess you can put the pieces together (no pun).
It was my first wreck so you could imagine how hard it was to tell mom I wrecked her car in the DRIVEWAY. It's her first claim and it's 5 years old so thats not bad but I have to pay the $250 deductable :o

Here's a pic.

iGav

Apr 3, 2005, 10:45 AM

I'm looking at (via autotrader at the moment) 2001 1.8i S MX-5s. I got a quote to insure another XK8 and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected so I've not totally ruled that out either, but a convertible would be nice :)

What's the damage on an XK8 convertible? or are they reallllllllllly expensive?

Have you tried pricing up an (albeit older) Lotus Elise? or maybe a non-turbo VX220?

If you wanted to be really cool though... how about a Chesil Speedster? :D

robbieduncan

Apr 3, 2005, 10:48 AM

What's the damage on an XK8 convertible? or are they reallllllllllly expensive?

Have you tried pricing up an (albeit older) Lotus Elise? or maybe a non-turbo VX220?

If you wanted to be really cool though... how about a Chesil Speedster? :D

XK8 convertibles are at least 5k more than the coupe so not really an option.

The Elise has a bad reputation for reliability and is far too impractical (i.e. not even the smallish boot you get on an MX5). The VX220 is just an ugly Elise so no dice.

As for the Chesil Speedster, I simply don't think so :)

iGav

Apr 3, 2005, 12:21 PM

XK8 convertibles are at least 5k more than the coupe so not really an option.

Thought that might be the case...

The Elise has a bad reputation for reliability and is far too impractical

I've not heard anything nasty regarding Elise reliability...??? especially not from the engine (or gearbox side), the K series is a peach. Not especially practical though, especially if you're tall. :p

As for the Chesil Speedster, I simply don't think so :)

Fair enough they're a Beetle underneath, but with a little tweaking you can get them to approach something resembling decent handling, although they're already what I'd call 'engaging' in the handling stakes, if not for the right reasons. heheheheh

How about a Lotus Elan? or the Proton version? damn fine handling car, same vintage as the MX-5, rarer and reasonably practical too.

What are early (pre-pu$$y conversions) TT convertibles going for?

robbieduncan

Apr 3, 2005, 12:31 PM

I've not heard anything nasty regarding Elise reliability...??? especially not from the engine (or gearbox side), the K series is a peach. Not especially practical though, especially if you're tall. :p

They are really badly built! The front wishbones (and the rest of the suspension) tends to rust, the engines are not as strong as many people think primarily head gasket failure (http://www.elises.co.uk/problems/common.html). And they basically don't have any sort of boot at all!

How about a Lotus Elan? or the Proton version? damn fine handling car, same vintage as the MX-5, rarer and reasonably practical too.

The main reason for getting an MX-5 is fairly low insurance costs, running costs and they are common enough that fairly new ones are cheap. I'm looking at 2001 1.8i S models (i.e. the latest ones) for around £9k (or less). I'd probably spend ages trying to find a decent Elan and they are all a lot older.

What are early (pre-pu$$y conversions) TT convertibles going for?

To be honest I don't care. I will not buy a TT. Even if they were half the price of the alternative! So common and someone set the drive system up all wrong! Also they all seem to be around 15k. I can buy an XK8 (coupe to be fair) for less than that!