If Airbags Are Deployed Does This Mean The Car's A Write Off? Low Km's Accident

[mercyseat]

Was involved in a 4 car pile up last weekend.

My pride and joy which was only imported two months ago from Japan was beat up pretty bad but the accident was under 20 km's as far as I can remember as it's all blurry after the airbags went off.

1997 R33 GTST Skyline 40th Anniversary model automatic Midnight Purple, only 98,000kms on the clock.

I want to know if my car a salvageable....

Front was pushed in just touching the front of the timing case.

Engine didn't spill oil and transmission also fine.

Bonnet bent, pretty much front end damaged.

Car was towed away. .....awaiting report from insurance company to be assessed.

Csn I get it assessed? As I believe that it's repairable...

Both passenger doors open fine.

No rear damage, just bonnet and front end.

I'd post photos if I could here but haven't figured out how to yet...

Edited May 29, 2016 by mercyseat

[serkxx]

Most likly it will be written of but you can get it assessed yourself at your own panel shop

[emts]

you can get it assessed but it still up to the insurance company to if they write off.

rule of thumb is if repairs are more than 75% of insured value they write it off.

from that i can see needs

lights

fog lights

bumper

bonnet

rad support

prob radiator

prob fans

all the plastics like under tray inner liners

new steering wheel

new dash

new airbags

paint

labour

i would not be holding breath for them to fix, it is a 20 year old car and OEM parts are getting hard to get

[Anfanee]

Moral of the story: Don't tailgate.

[Leroy Peterson]

Moral of the story: Don't tailgate.

you know that isnt always the case...

[NISR32.5]

Sorry to hear about the accident. That's a bit of damage for 20km/h. Pretty sure they will write it off though.

[mercyseat]

I wasn't tailgating anyone.

It's in dispute as to the car in front slammed his brakes on first hitting two cars in front of him first.

It's insured for $10000 agreed value.

I'm hoping if they write it off of possibly buying back the salvage if it's considered a repairable write off. The car's immaculate pre accident, good resale for parts possibly, who knows.

Will decide after I hear back from the assessor's in a few day's.

Just didn't know what airbags cost to replace.

[Anfanee]

Not Tailgating?

The fact your car has that much front end damage...

[emts]

I thought the definition of tailgating was too close behind to stop if the other person hits brakes..

curious who is your insurance with?

if you buy it back getting it back on the road is an expensive process as it will be deemed a write off.

you need to show receipts for all parts and work done to get it back, go through inspections, and even then most insurance companies will have nothing to do with it.

Or track it.....

[Odium]

Adding to Martin's list of parts, I believe it'll also need 5 new seatbelts, as these need to be replaced after an Airbag deployment

[Leroy Peterson]

I thought the definition of tailgating was too close behind to stop if the other person hits brakes..

And what if the person in front comes to a stop from hitting vehicle in front of them abruptly and doesn't hit the brakes?

[Anfanee]

And what if the person in front comes to a stop from hitting vehicle in front of them abruptly and doesn't hit the brakes?

"Tailgating is the act of driving on a road too close to the vehicle in front, such that the a distance between the two vehicles, does not guarantee that stopping to avoid collision is possible."

It would still be considered tailgating, that is the whole point. You should allow enough time to both react and stop.

[Leroy Peterson]

I just think "what would Jesus do" and adjust space accordingly

[Ben C34]

I reckon it will be fixed.

Mat from nistune hit a car that pulled out from a side road, damage looked very similar. That was fixed, and he had a front mount that was smooshed also, having said that it wasn't his fault so that might come into play.

[junkie]

thats a 10k repair right there, would be very lucky not to get written off

[Odium]

Normally...

Front Car is not at fault unless they did something malicious or downright stupid...
Middle Car is at fault for hitting Front car.
Back car is at fault for hitting Middle car.


Quite often they'll ask the Front car if they felt 1 hit or 2 hits.
If 1 hit, the collision order was Back->Middle, then Middle was pushed into Front.
If 2 hits, the collision order was Middle->Front, then Back->Middle.

Either way, Back car is normally found at fault... the only difference is if the Middle Car is also considered at fault (aka. Did they stop in time)

[mercyseat]

I'm with a reputable insurer. There's no problems there.

As to who's fault, probably more than one person's fault but me being the last car will/have copped it. Still in shock from the damage done seemingly i actually stopped less than 100 metres prior to let the car i ran into , in front out of the side street. So from stop to accident within 100 metres is fairly unfortunate. As mentioned i blacked out and only remember the airbag going off in my face.

Was just too wet, people rubber necking the car broken down on the side lane...etc etc.

For me the car's sentimental more than money is worth. My last 1994 R33 was car jacked in Sydney back in 2004. So I'd waited over 10 years to buy another one. I'd only imported this car less than two months ago....pretty bummed out about the whole shit-suation.

Regardless I've lost $$ .

I doubt I'll buy another one knowing they're a write off at 20 km's once the airbags are deployed.

[emts]

well insure for value next time

or don't crash into people

[junkie]

I'm with a reputable insurer. There's no problems there.

As to who's fault, probably more than one person's fault but me being the last car will/have copped it. Still in shock from the damage done seemingly i actually stopped less than 100 metres prior to let the car i ran into , in front out of the side street. So from stop to accident within 100 metres is fairly unfortunate. As mentioned i blacked out and only remember the airbag going off in my face.

Was just too wet, people rubber necking the car broken down on the side lane...etc etc.

For me the car's sentimental more than money is worth. My last 1994 R33 was car jacked in Sydney back in 2004. So I'd waited over 10 years to buy another one. I'd only imported this car less than two months ago....pretty bummed out about the whole shit-suation.

Regardless I've lost $$ .

I doubt I'll buy another one knowing they're a write off at 20 km's once the airbags are deployed.

Its just the reality of owning a 20yo car. Even when they are in top shape, insurance companies wont care and will write them off after small-ish accidents.

[Kinkstaah]

My car took a hit in the rear quarter panel, needed an arm and probably the rear quarter. Was insured for 30k and it was written off with Shannons.

I would say you are absolutely written off there.