Huge Suckage...In An Accident With My Prius, My Tale of Woe

[faither]

On Monday, as Wilma was leaving a mess in South FL, here in the Tampa area we had wind and heavy rain. The wind wasn't bad but on the way to work a sub-division's street sign falls across a major road. The speed limit is 55 and I was traveling about 45MPH as it was dark (7:10AM) and raining hard.

Couldn't avoid the pole (didn't want to end up in the woods), so I held on tight and went over it. It was SOME jolt!

Didn't stop (dark, rain, left cell phone at home), gathered my wits and continued to work (about 5 miles). Car seemed to drive well -- held the line, no tire damage, kept good speed and battery level. The visable damage didn't look too bad -- front left bumper cracked, fog light dead and plastic from the left front wheel well pushed back. Checked on it at lunch and found it had leaked a red liquid.

Since the dealers were closed on Monday for the storm (it was sunny by 11:30AM), AAA picked it up from my office parking garage on Tuesday to bring it to the local Toyota dealer. They do a diagnostic on Tuesday afternoon and this morning and I get a preliminary estimate of $14,000 for repair.

The insurance adjustor from Geico goes to the dealer on Thursday afternoon and concurs with the list of damage the dealer's body shop has identified (I'll post it when received) and assures me there will be no problem from Geico in having the car repaired -- done by the dealer with genuine Toyota parts -- as the car is still effectively new (less than 8 mos. old with 8,800 miles).

Current estimated time in the shop is 22 business days. I could cry!

[Mommypooh]

I am sorry to hear that, at least you wern't hurt.

[Kevster]

Woah! What did you do to your Prius? How bad was it to amount to $14k?

[Kim]

I'm glad you're ok, and I hope the repairs are speedy.

[Airencracken]

I feel your pain my brother. I just got my prius back after 2 MONTHS in the shop.

[speedracer120]

Jeez, this makes me doubly sure about not having gotten a Prius.

Four months wait to get one delivered and if I had gotten into an accident, 1-2 months as taken from your and Airen's experiences.

I hope they exceed your expectations man.

[nickel]

I am sorry to hear that, at least you wern't hurt.

that is what i said after my accident. hey, i'm out and walking around. cars can be fixed.

[mcs328]

Red liquid = blood!!!!! Glad you're ok.

[faither]

Jeez, this makes me doubly sure about not having gotten a Prius.

Four months wait to get one delivered and if I had gotten into an accident, 1-2 months as taken from your and Airen's experiences.

I hope they exceed your expectations man.

I have no reason to think the damage is any more extensive due to the car being a Prius. As best I understand, the hybrid mechanics weren't hurt, it was the bumper, transmission housing, gas tank shield, etc.

It's a great car and is rated wonderfully by anyone with a pen or keyboard. I can't wait to get it back.

[tupacboy]

i hope you have rental coverage... but i'm glad you are ok....

[speedracer120]

I have no reason to think the damage is any more extensive due to the car being a Prius. As best I understand, the hybrid mechanics weren't hurt, it was the bumper, transmission housing, gas tank shield, etc.

It's a great car and is rated wonderfully by anyone with a pen or keyboard. I can't wait to get it back.

That is good news, but still a long ass time to wait to get you car back.

[Grubbie]

This just reminds me of the time my mom told me she was driving down the highway and ran over a xmas tree that had fallen off somebodys car. She went overa little hill and there was the tree in the road and she plowed right over it.

That seems like a long time in the shop though, do you get a rental from geico at all or not?

[faither]

I sure am happy not to have been injured. I have rental coverage through Geico and it covers a full size auto (Mitsubishi Galant), so I'm okay there.

I contacted the sub-division concerning the accident and they asked for the estimate and an email (didn't tell them it was already nearly $14k). I also took pictures at the site as well as of the car in the shop and will be including them with my email.

[Kevster]

...transmission housing

There's your red liquid. It's good to hear that you were fine and your car will be ok.

[ufcrusher]

No offense, but they are most likely going to tell you to take a flying leap off a short jetty. Act of G-d knocked down the pole/street sign. Your lucky you rinsurance hasnt tried to use that provision.

[thresher]

I am w/Crusher on that one. I got AOG'd on Charley with a gas station's canopy in the road. Good thing I am an OSHA trainer. I sued the gas station for lack of hurricane straps on the canopy, but what normal person would have known? My insurance told me to take a hike. Keep you fingers crossed.

[faither]

Good news...got the car tonight. But first, re Ulf's post, the community annunced at a Board meeting on Monday that it is replacing all its street lights due to the fact that they are improperly secured (something about a design flaw). The new poles will be cemented into the ground to avoid the "leaning" problem that the current poles suffer from.


On to my pick up...

Picked up my '05 Tideland today after nearly a month in the shop and boy, oh boy, it sure does look like they've done a wonderful job.

While I didn't get a chance to look underneath when I picked it up this morning, as the result of a couple of warning lights illuminating when I went to lunch (brake, ABS and VSC), I went back after work. Called to let them know what I saw and they said to take it in and they'd take a look.

They kept the shop open past closing, took it right in and after running some diagnostics and determined there was an air bubble in the rear right brake line. They drained it to eliminate the air, cleaned the area and remounted the wheel. Ran another diagnostic and took it for a test drive to make sure all was well. What a great job!

When they tossed it up on the lift tonight I got a good look underneath and it looked brand-spanking new. While that may be due to the fact that nearly everything down below was replaced, it looked great.

Major kudos to the collision and service folks at Kuhn Morgan Toyota in Tampa. I wouldn't but a car from them (still charging a $3495 premium for '05's for "limited availability") but their service is TOP NOTCH!!!

[guiseppewv]

Glad to hear that you got your ride fixed and that everything worked out for the better. Damn 14k is a steep price tag, though.