I nailed him

[RIVERWIDOW]

MAJOR SUCKAGE:
On the way home today from the Charger Blood Drive. I nailed a Ford Expedition that had turned left in front of me while I had a green light and he had the red. Both of my airbags deployed so I got smacked in the chest by mine. My husband had his seat back so far that he really didn't get it too bad. My 2 year old granddaughter in the back seat was scared sh*tless BUT her 5 point harness held and her car seat didn't budge an inch. So that was the good news. The bad is, we think my PAID FOR 2003 Chrysler Town & Country is totaled. So we are now gearing up to fight his insurance company. I will say that he was extremely upset & very apologetic. Totally took responsibility and even told the cop that he had run the light. We were on a 5 lane street. 2 left turn, 2 straight and 1 right turn. Unfortunately, when the 2 straight took off on the green, he thought he also had a green and turned right into my path, since i was doing 35-40 mph there wasn't much I could do. But we all walked away feeling okay. We will see how I feel in the morning. Those airbags are lethal.

[Houdini]

MAJOR SUCKAGE:
On the way home today from the Charger Blood Drive. I nailed a Ford Expedition that had turned left in front of me while I had a green light and he had the red. Both of my airbags deployed so I got smacked in the chest by mine. My husband had his seat back so far that he really didn't get it too bad. My 2 year old granddaughter in the back seat was scared sh*tless BUT her 5 point harness held and her car seat didn't budge an inch. So that was the good news. The bad is, we think my PAID FOR 2003 Chrysler Town & Country is totaled. So we are now gearing up to fight his insurance company. I will say that he was extremely upset & very apologetic. Totally took responsibility and even told the cop that he had run the light. We were on a 5 lane street. 2 left turn, 2 straight and 1 right turn. Unfortunately, when the 2 straight took off on the green, he thought he also had a green and turned right into my path, since i was doing 35-40 mph there wasn't much I could do. But we all walked away feeling okay. We will see how I feel in the morning. Those airbags are lethal.

Wow. Glad everyone is ok. I've been in a few fenderbenders here in NOLA over the past year with idiot drivers, (last one hit my parked car twice). At any rate, the important thing is that everyone is ok.

[mcs328]

ouch!!! Get the police report and keep all your documents. Take advantage of double indemnity if your state allows it. Watch out for whiplash.

Hope everything is ok.

[Dazzling]

Glad to hear everyone is okay.....the airbags prove 12 years and younger should sit in the back. With the force you described can you imagine an 8 or 9 year old in the front?

[RIVERWIDOW]

Glad to hear everyone is okay.....the airbags prove 12 years and younger should sit in the back. With the force you described can you imagine an 8 or 9 year old in the front?

I couldn't even imagine my 75 year old mother being in that sit when it popped. I am sure if it had been her, it would have done some serious damage.

[ray]

Glad to hear everyone's okay. With the other driver cooperating so well, I hope the insurance company will take care of you guys.

[ShawnLee]

Wow. Glad to hear all's "relatively" well, and hope things get better.
I was partially worried that when I read the title of this thread, you'd run over a pedestrian. Whew, it's not that...

[mechmike0034]

I couldn't even imagine my 75 year old mother being in that seat when it popped. I am sure if it had been her, it would have done some serious damage.

Yeah, but that airbag is still softer and more forgiving than the dashboard / steering wheel / windshield, etc.

Glad to hear all's well with all of you health-wise.

[bachviet]

Glad that all of you are okay.

[Prngr44]

I'll echo the sentiment that it's good to hear everyone's ok. That's the most important thing.

[yippiekiyeh]

Airbags with seatbeats do save lives... sucks that your van might be totaled, but I'm glad to hear everyone one is alright. Any crash that you can walk away from is a 'good crash.'

[Markel]

...But we all walked away feeling okay.

To echo what others have said, that is something to be thankful for.

[Dazzling]

Yeah, but that airbag is still softer and more forgiving than the dashboard / steering wheel / windshield, etc.

Glad to hear all's well with all of you health-wise.

True very true!!

[jaja]

Glad to hear everyone's okay.

[renovation]

Glad your all ok!
Now the sad news got to find a new set of wheels without going bankrupt

[Mommypooh]

WEll I am glad to hear everyone is okay.

by the way DO NOT USE THAT CAR SEAT AGAIN. Replace it. That is the safety freak in me. Please get a new car seat. You never know when another accident could occur and the seat could fail.

I am really glad everyone is safe. Take care.

[Thesifer]

On the plus side unless the guy just had a shady insurance company that likes to fight, there is really no case for them. Taking credit for the accident at the scene makes it your fault regardless of fault.

Good to see everything turned out find physically.

*on a side note I read 'I nailed him' and thought of either sleeping with someone or catching someone sleeping with someone. Not a car wreck. Go me and my mind.

[RIVERWIDOW]

by the way DO NOT USE THAT CAR SEAT AGAIN. Replace it. That is the safety freak in me. Please get a new car seat. You never know when another accident could occur and the seat could fail.
I am really glad everyone is safe. Take care.

That was #1 on the "after accident" agenda. The other guy has been so up front he even called my husband while we were at the river for thanksgving, to check in on us and make sure we were doing okay.

[RIVERWIDOW]

Well, the insurance company made it official today. They have totaled out my van. So now the fun begins. I had been thinking about downsizing from my Town and Country in a few years but now that the opportunity has risen I might do it now. I rented a Kia Sedona and actually like it quite a bit. The first car I rented was a Murano but I took it back the next day, did not like it at all. So I will be haunting the used car lots. If I want a new car I will have to go back to work and I dont want to leave my granddaughter. So any recommendations on smaller minivan/SUVs???

[clutchy]

bummer. sorry about your van.

[Jeffbx]

So any recommendations on smaller minivan/SUVs???

What's your budget?

[RIVERWIDOW]

What's your budget?

I am thinking we will probably get about $15,000 from the insurance company. Maybe a little less but hopefully not less than $12,000.

[mechmike0034]

PT Cruiser... http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/fact...spx?id=3845804
Mazda MPV for a smaller minivan...
Mazda 6 wagon, if you can find one in your price range.

[kgsilvas]

Used Saturn Vue? Our friends have one and LOVE it! They have one 5 year old and find it works well for them.

[BigJon]

Honda Oddessy? I've heard great reviews about it.

[RIVERWIDOW]

PT Cruiser... http://carmax.com/dyn/factsheet/fact...spx?id=3845804
Mazda MPV for a smaller minivan...
Mazda 6 wagon, if you can find one in your price range.

I really like the look of the Crusiers but I want a 6 passenger.I will check out the Mazda. I looked at a Kia Sedona today and really liked it. We should have a $ amt by Monday and go from there. I will also check out the Honda's. The Kia seemed like a good deal. Same year as my van 2003. 38,000 miles,total power,doors locks etc. WITH a sunroof and Dvd player. And leather seats $13,000. New tires and good body condition. So we will see if it is still there on Monday. If its gone, you guys have given me some good suggestions. Thanks to all of you.

[cheapie]

make SURE you bargain with the guy!!! esp since you can walk in with cash in hand. print out the TMV from edmunds.com and do some research before you buy. and be ready to walk if he doesn't give you a great deal.

[Houdini]

I've heard great things about Passports and Vues, and right now (or soon) you can get a hybrid Vue that has extra power, decent highway miles, etc., and is only a thousand dollars or two above the price of the base one. As much as I disapprove of FWD (as does he) under FI 4 bangers for trucks, my dad has one and loves it. Great MPG for commuting, etc. (He doesn't have the hybrid.) You can even tow stuff, but unlikely you'll do that I guess, but I dunno. Kinda underpowered (w/o the V6 or the hybrid), but not seriously noticeable with the pretty well-built Ecotec 4. But the latest car mags love the hybrid. And considering it's so much cheaper than other hybrids, I'd consider going that route.

And, at least for 2006, it still has plastic door panels.

Also, not sure about the Vue, but it does have a sensor for deploying or not deploying the airbag in the passenger side depending on if someone is sitting there. It may even have dual-stage bag pressures depending on crash severity. A lot of companies are moving that way. Yeah, some people have been injured or killed by them, but most of them seem to have not been seatbelted, assuming that the airbag (which is not a nifty benign pillow, as you found out) would save them. Nope. Just smacks them in the chest and face, injuring them, but generally no more so than flying through a windshield.