sirtanon Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 I'm a careful driver, and always try to leave room, brake early, and stay aware of my surroundings, but unfortunately, you can't control other drivers. Case in point, I was driving home from work today, on the 101 highway here in Phoenix, in the center lane. Traffic was off-and-on stop and go, and I had just come from an area where traffic was moving at about 45-50 to a slow-down. I braked carefully, and just as I had come to a stop, WHAM! hit from behind. The guy was in the left lane, decided he had to be in the center lane apparently, but did not leave enough room / anticipate the slow-down. First, his car (a 1998 "rough" Accord).. ... and now for the back of my Fusion. I was really expecting some major damage.. Surprisingly, it was not as bad as I expected, although I'm still disappointed. I work so hard to take care of it, and this happens. Apparently, he hit his brakes hard once he realized he was about to hit me, and so I suspect the front end dipped down low enough that it wedged under the back of my Fusion. In fact, he hit me hard enough and low enough that his front bumper cover actually ended up lodged under my car, pinned on the muffler tips, etc.. I'll definitely need a new muffler, and I suspect, everything in back of the catalytic converter. In case anyone is wondering, there does not appear to be any damage at all to the trunk, lights, or really anything above the bumper. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangster Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Glad you are unhurt, and relatively speaking the car took it okay. And this is the only time I have seen your car with the new rims, sad. I don't have the temperment to deal with Phoenix traffic. When I am there I frequently have to go across 5 lanes of interstate traffic from surface street in 1/2 a mile (60 west bound off Mill, to get to left hand exit for Eastbound I-10). Also Broadway onto the 60 and getting over to stay on the 60, and the 101/202 exchange. I get to live it everyday through my daughter, who calls to talk and lets us hear her yell at other drivers. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtanon Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 Good catch on the rims. I just washed the car on Sunday, and was hoping to get a couple good pics of her with the new wheels this week to post. Guess that will have to wait. On the plus side, my own insurance company (USAA) has already set up my drop-off at the body shop, and the rental is already arranged - Next tuesday morning. I also heard from the other guy's insurance company today - they have accepted fault and stated that USAA will be sending them the bill once everything is complete. All good signs so far. I'm going to have to see what sort of steps will need to be taken as far as the exhaust goes. And, if everything goes well, I'll be sure to get some good pics showing the new wheels once I get her back. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propwash Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Glad to hear you're OK and nobody got hurt. Consider yourself lucky in that the guy has insurance. The only two accidents I've been involved with in 50+ years of driving have been with uninsured people. However, USAA took good care of me in both cases. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Sorry, but glad you're unhurt. USAA is a great company to deal with. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 (edited) Hi sirtanon. Ouch is right. I am sorry you were hit. Just a recommendation (from someone who deals with insurance companies). Put the claim through the other drivers insurance company. You can still have the rental and have it fixed at your USAA recommended facility, but you will not need to pay your Collision Deductible out of pocket. Nor will you need to wait for the other insurance company to finally pay so you can get your deductible back. You will also not need to worry that the other insurance company tries to reduce their payout (and your deductible refund) by attempting to assign partial blame to you if the other driver makes up a story. Trust me, I see it all the time from the insurance company of the negligent driver. They are often very cooperative in the beginning, but their tune changes once you put the claim through your company. Then they reduce their payout, causing the innocent driver to lose all or part of their deductible. As I stated above, just a recommendation. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Edited August 29, 2018 by bbf2530 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtanon Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 Thanks for the recommendation, bbf. Actually, it's pretty much all worked out. I got a call from the other guy's insurance company a little earlier, and he stated that they've already spoken with USAA and accepted fault, and that they've advised USAA to simply send them the bill for everything. USAA waives the deductible when 1) the other guy is 100% at fault 2) the damage is over the deductible (in my case $250), and the other insurance company accepts fault. All 3 conditions are met here. I'm dropping the car off Tuesday morning with the body shop, rental is already arranged. I'll be speaking with USAA and the guys at the shop about an exhaust leak that has surfaced after the accident, which makes sense, since the muffler was hit pretty hard. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueOval2010 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 Be careful with USAA - I hear they push non-OEM parts and remanufactured (from damaged) bumper covers. Maybe not in your case, but you may want to ask the question - if you haven't already. Good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 It's great when an accident claim gets resolved, and repaired, quickly. Hope it all goes well for you. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtanon Posted September 5, 2018 Author Share Posted September 5, 2018 Update - Got a call and email from USAA a little earlier today. Estimate came to $2502.73, and USAA has already issued the check. Deductible waived, and I'm supposed to get the car back 9/14. Can't believe how quickly and smoothly this has gone so far. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 4 hours ago, sirtanon said: Update - Got a call and email from USAA a little earlier today. Estimate came to $2502.73, and USAA has already issued the check. Deductible waived, and I'm supposed to get the car back 9/14. Can't believe how quickly and smoothly this has gone so far. Hi sirtanon. Glad it all worked out for the best for you! Stay safe on the roads and good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Awesome, glad to hear it went that easy. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtanon Posted September 14, 2018 Author Share Posted September 14, 2018 Well, got the car back this evening. Looks great! I need to take some pics of it, but they also did a seriously good job getting the exhaust fixed. The exhaust pipes are substantially better than the stock stuff that was on there. Bigger, and appear to be stainless. I also like the look of the single tip. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangster Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 That was pretty quick! Glad you are back on the road with it. I don't hate the single tip exhaust, doesn't look bad with the wider slot. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyross Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Now people will think you have half of a V6! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Looks good, I like the single pipe better, I wonder how that happened. It must be a relief to have it back in tip top shape. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtanon Posted October 1, 2018 Author Share Posted October 1, 2018 On 8/29/2018 at 12:25 PM, bangster said: And this is the only time I have seen your car with the new rims, sad. Now you can see a better pic showing how she looks with the new rims, and no damage. Lighting wasn't the best, but it's something at least. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangster Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Typical Arizonian...you find shade, even if you have to walk an extra 1/8 mile, and you park there (I know this is your driveway, since it is the same place your signature picture is taken, with your old rims). Looks good in the shade, bet it looks real good in the sun. Like the new rims better than the old ones. I have to get some tips from someone that does professional shoots for next time I go out and get shots of mine. I thought noon with sun overhead was best, but too much shading in the lower parts. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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