Hey guys, wish I could be posting under better circumstances. Earlier today I was involved in a relatively low speed rear end accident. As much as a hate to say it, I'm at fault with this one. I had stopped at a red and when the light turned green, the car in front of took off. I followed, but something caught my eye to the left, and unfortunately I glanced that way for a split second. The car in front of me had stopped dead just through the intersection (there wasn't any traffic in front of her), but when I looked back (like I said, I'd only looked away for a moment) I hammered on the brakes, but it was too late. I ended up rear ending the Mitsubishi Montero in front of me. I was only about 10m out of the intersection and wasn't going very fast, but that didn't seem to make much of a difference.

Without further delay, I'll give you the damage report. The SUV infront of me really didn't take too much damage. The pretty scratched up, but theres no denting and the bodywork is fine. My car on the other hand got hit a lot harder. My front bumper, hood, rad and rad support are all shot. My headlights are also deeply scratched and really banged up. As ironic as it was, I was actually on my way to the DHL shipment centre to pick up my 07 projectors when this happened. Makes me feel like an idiot because I know I'm at fault with this one. I've had a couple of small speeding tickets in the past, but I'd like to think I'm a good driver. It goes to show how fast things happen. I got the vehicle towed home after the accident because the shop doesn't have room to have a car sitting around for a week and half before they get to it.

I'm looking to get some advice on here as to what I should do. I'm a young guy, so I lack the life experience alot of you guys have. The car is obviously covered under liability and collision with a $250 deductible, but I don't really know how I should go about claiming this. The shop I'm planning on taking it to (Project Omega) offered to help replace some of the parts with aftermarket parts of my choice. My K2 front should be getting here right away aswell. Sorry for the long read, but I'm hoping that you guys can offer some advice about making the claim, replacing the parts with aftermarket ones if I choose, and most importantly, what kind of insurance hike I'm going to be looking at.

Thanks in advance to everyone who replies. I'm pretty rattled right now, so your help is greatly appreciated.

Aidan

 

You already have new headlights and a new bumper coming? Is there any mechanical damage? If no mech damage why not buy a new rad support and Carbon Fiber hood on your own and you don't have to worry about insurance rates going up Other than that you get a quote from a body shop and talk to them about aftermarket parts. After market stuff is often cheaper than OEM replacment so the Insurance company should go for it.

 

Thanks for the quick response Gord. My radiator and rad support are both shot, and there may be other mechanical damage I can't see (hood latch is mashed and it won't budge).

 

Sorry to hear that Aidan.

If you can, it is best to keep an accident off your driving record. You may be looking for a job down the road that calls for a clean driver’s abstract. It would be really bad if you don't get it because of this. Just something worth mentioning I guess.

 

normally companies wave the first accident if you have a few years experience (like 5 I believe)...might be worth making a "random call" asking your compnay about their first accident policy.

 

It's worth a shot, but I've only been with this company for 3 years.

 

If your rad is shot your AC condensor is likely ruined as well and if your rad support is wrecked your front crash bar might be as well unless its the top part of the rad support. It might not be that expensive i would say you have the expensive parts already. If you can find a rad and support at an auto wrecker or in the classifieds on here you might get away cheap

 

That's definitely worth looking into. At the same time, I'd be paying out of pocket for the the damage to the other vehicle and mine. I feel like that might end up being just as big a bill.

 

That is true it might add up fast. By the sound of it the other vehicle might just need a rear bumper painted but I guess you would be into $3,000 or more by the time you have both cars taken care of.

 

Is there any way the insurance company would cut me a cheque for the damage? If that was the case, there may be a bit of headlight and bumper money left over to offset the cost of the premium increase because I already have those parts.

 

I would let insurance handle it in case the people you hit come back in a few weeks with the "my neck, my back crap". My insurance company sent a check for my manifolds, cats and mufflers straight to the shop of my choice. They paid for the stock items that got ruined..... somehow I didnt end up with stock items.

and that was amost 7K..... and my rates only went up 10 bucks a month

 

I would love it if they only went up $30 month.

 

Sorry to hear about your mishap Aidan. I'd take it to Ins. because of the other car involved as the OP said. Let the autobody shop and ins. adjustor come to a tally for repair using OEM. Then let the shop substitute the non OEM parts and you pay the difference, if any. Hope it all turns out well for you.

 

^ I agree with Sam

 

Alright. Do you guys have any recommendations for what aftermarket parts I should substitute. Since I already have a bumper and headlights laying around, the bill for those two items is going to be some additional money to play with.