Just had an accident... help! - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mustang_man298 · #16 03-28-2007, 12:19 AM

I see fresh roadrash on the underside of that bent tie rod in your last pic, it looks like you didn't just hit the curb so much as run up on it as well?

jbach36 · #17 03-28-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derburger

She did not hit me, but she would have if I had not swerved to avoid her. I'm probably screwed with this. I called the police right away, they got there and did not see any paint transfer or scratches, so they did not say I was hit. I honestly could not tell if I was hit because it all happened so fast. They said I should go with my insurance for compensation

. I took some pictures of the underside, my junky Walmart "Gm goodwrench" jack does not lift the car very high. Not sure if these pictures are helpful. In picture number 2 something appears very bent.

I would either have your insurance company contact her, or somehow track her down (above board), and contact her and give her a few options. You can't go around causing wrecks, then just drive away. Why not do 2 a week if there are no penalties? Ask your insurance agent how to best handle it.

jeff

JimmyL · #18 03-28-2007, 12:56 AM

Look. You need to focus on your car. You will NOT get anywhere from the altercation you describe. So, forget that and move on. You have had a crash avoidance lesson......
I am always impressed at the powers of observation that our fellow forum members have. Sure, we could all see that mangled tie rod, but keen eyes are picking up on other details.
Tie rods don't cost that much, btw, so I see little reason to try and grab a used one. You need to go back with new parts anyway. What if the tie rod you get at the yard was slightly bent by the tow truck driver.....

Good luck, and keep the info coming. Others here that know these suspensions will help you as much as possible in this manner. At least you take very good photos.....

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=21N00PKVE21S00E33U&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1980&product=M3000-16063&application=000252522

http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=3hyppiivnf2qlgbqulsgrh3f&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1192979@240D&year=1980&cid=26@Steering%20System&gid=7427@Tie%20Rod%20Assembly

Rich300TDMBZ · #19 03-28-2007, 12:59 AM

I do not think you will get very far with your insurance agent unless you have a witness to back up your story. She can easily said she acted as a "good Samaritan". It is your word against hers -saying that she forced you off the road. What did she drives - a little subcompact? If she did, it will make your story more unbelievable. My thoughts are that you will have to foot the whole repair bill.

t walgamuth · #20 03-28-2007, 01:01 AM

when i was in college i bought a field find 37 chebby. i dragged it home and got it running in my spare time. it had a bent tie rod from being towed by hooking onto it. (not me).

my dad said "just loosten the bolts and turn the bulging side down then jack the car up with it til it is striaght".

i said..."cool". i did it and it worked fine.

it might work for you too.

the tie rod is supposed to be straight. if it is not perfect it will still work. if you get it close you can then get it adjusted by an alignment shop.

good luck.

tom w

Matt L · #21 03-28-2007, 01:17 AM

Be sure to give your agent her plate number. If you have comprehensive and collision insurance, they will pay and then try to sue her. It's often better to let the professionals handle these things.

aklim · #22 03-28-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derburger

I was in the far right lane after entering the highway, and she comes into my lane quickly without looking. I could not slam on my brakes because the highway was busy and there were people behind me getting on the highway. She did not hit me, but I hit the curb hard avoiding her, and two of my tires blew.

If you held your ground and she hit you, you have something. Otherwise, you drove and hit something. IOW Your fault. An accident will generate some witnesses, maybe. Your hitting the curb, probably not. In any case, I had this before and they told me that since I hit the curb, I pay. If the other side hit me, it comes under under insured or their policy.

ImBroke · #23 03-28-2007, 11:16 AM

That you probably won't get far. I had someone pull in front of me, and I swerved to avoid him, and rolled the truck. The cop didn't even put the other driver on the report, and wanted to give me a ticket for reckless driving.

Now I just let people hit me. 6 times in two years, and counting.

Sbean · #24 03-28-2007, 12:21 PM

A young new driver I know was run off a narrow windy road at night by an oncoming vehicle on the wrong side of the road. My friend went off the left side and sideswiped a tree ( $5,000 damage). The other guy -you guessed it- didn't stop, and the insurance company at first said "Your fault; you went off the road and hit a tree." My friend wrote a letter of explanation with pictures of the scene and the insurance company decided he was not at fault. It doesn't hurt to try... Steve

pdxwaker · #25 03-28-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

ouch! sure looks like you will need a tie rod assembly... go to local junkyard.
John

In my experience tie rods are tough to pull w/o damage... I've tried a few times with no success.

vstech · #26 03-28-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxwaker

In my experience tie rods are tough to pull w/o damage... I've tried a few times with no success.

have you tried hitting the side of the joint? a heavy hammer on one side then hit opposite side with another large peen, pops them out easy, every time!
remove or loosen the castle nut first...
John

tobybul · #27 03-28-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Be sure to give your agent her plate number. If you have comprehensive and collision insurance, they will pay and then try to sue her. It's often better to let the professionals handle these things.

This is the time where you can test how well your insurance agent supports you. I agree with Matt. If it were me, I will try to pursue having the other party be responsible. Give your ins co all the facts and info... plus like someone said above, write them a letter. There are also other avenues to get results by making your tax dollars work.

I wouldn't fret too much about the damage as it appears very repairable. Parts should be easy to find. So far, from your pics, you can get all stuff new. It'd probably be more hassle looking for them from the junkyard.

OMEGAMAN · #28 03-28-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Look. You need to focus on your car. You will NOT get anywhere from the altercation you describe. So, forget that and move on. You have had a crash avoidance lesson......
I am always impressed at the powers of observation that our fellow forum members have. Sure, we could all see that mangled tie rod, but keen eyes are picking up on other details.
Tie rods don't cost that much, btw, so I see little reason to try and grab a used one. You need to go back with new parts anyway. What if the tie rod you get at the yard was slightly bent by the tow truck driver.....

Good luck, and keep the info coming. Others here that know these suspensions will help you as much as possible in this manner. At least you take very good photos.....

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=21N00PKVE21S00E33U&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&partner=mercedesshop&year=1980&product=M3000-16063&application=000252522

http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=3hyppiivnf2qlgbqulsgrh3f&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1192979@240D&year=1980&cid=26@Steering%20System&gid=7427@Tie%20Rod%20Assembly

Damn those a cheap prices. Order a tierod for the right side and bring the car and tierod to an alignment shop and have them do the work.
And next time you get under a car with a cheap Walmart jack supporting it use jack stands!
I can see the goddamn things in one of the pictures doing no good to anyone!

BillA · #29 03-28-2007, 03:08 PM

no contact, no pmt
I just let them hit me, the last was $936 for a corner light
thank you State Farm
my car has no collision, its a beater

derburger · #30 03-28-2007, 03:14 PM

I'll be getting rid of that jack soon to buy ramps. I didn't go under the car to take the pictures, I stuck my arm under it, I don't trust that jack. There were two other people in my car who witnessed the accident, they said she bumped me but I'm pretty sure she did not because there was no evidence of a bump. Not sure if it would have been better if I let her hit me because insurance would probably total my car or screw me over some other way. I'll see what my insurance will do in tracking down the other person but I'm thinking I'll have to foot the bill.

But I'll keep the car 10+ years so it's ok.

I think a tow truck will mess the car up more than driving it 15 miles to my mechanic. I'll take it very slowly...