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Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius broad?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by viffer_pilot, May 13, 2005.

  1. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    Hey Viffer_Pilot, sorry for your loss; glad you were uninjured.

    Did you (or can you) observe for me whether the curtain airbag is inflated all the way from the front to the rear? I plan on relocating my seat two inches back and was wondering if there was a "flat spot" on the side curtain airbag where my head would now be...

    Nate
     
  2. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    Nate,
    If you look at the picture on the 1st post I think it will answer your question. The entire horizontal section that you see is inflated. It goes from the back end of the passenger window to just a few inches short of the door jamb. If anything, the section that is more aft should be larger...I think. If that doesn't answer your question, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a better picture.
     
  3. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    Thanks, that answers it.

    Nate
     
  4. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    Well, the verdict is in...the car is a total loss. The estimate for repair came to over $16K. So bye bye Prius. I'll keep lurking until the time comes to buy a new one. I may wait for a 2K6. Anyway, stay safe.
     
  5. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    Awwww... sorry to hear you're without a Prius. Did the insurance company pay off your car, what happened?
     
  6. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee\";p=\"93417)</div>
    I'm expecting to hear from my insurance co. by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The guy who hit me had 10k in property damage insurance (and people wonder why insurance is expensive in SC!) The car will be paid off by my underinsured coverage. I'll post when I get the settlement offer from my insurance. I'm curious to see where it comes out at since I don't feel that my car has depreciated since new. I was very close to sticker when I purchased it. I have to admit, it was pretty sad cleaning it out today. I was in a bad mood the rest of the afternoon.
     
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    [font=Comic Sans MS:14fd9aaef8]I feel so sad for you. :cry: I know I'd be really sad cleaning out my Silver Cloud. But look on the bright side: if you want, maybe you can get a different color or move to the BC package. And more Prii are being imported, so the wait shouldn't be so long for your next beauty.[/font:14fd9aaef8]
     
  8. geckoboi78

    geckoboi78 New Member

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    Actually, just any FYI - just because someone is cited does not neccesarily mean that they were at fault for the accident. Secondly, if the other insruance company is handling the claim then they would be the ones to decide of they are going to consider it a total loss or not. And lastly, just because your insurance company does not pay out for the accident does not neccesarily mean that your rates won't go up. Sometimes, all the co is looking at is what happned in the accident not how much money was paid out on the claim or who paid it. All depends on your co and the kind of policy you have.
     
  9. Emilyjohn

    Emilyjohn New Member

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    Jeff, I'm very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how you must feel. We don't own a Prius. We have one on order. We ordered white because of the color's visibility on the road both during the day and at night. With more and more people driving, the average intelligence of a driver and driver competence go down. Everyone must be careful and drive defensively - nice words, until an accident occurs. Please keep us updated, Jeff.
     
  10. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    My insurance company is taking care of the property damage claim. In the state of SC, the minimum coverage is just $10K in property damage and $15K in personal injury per person. I cary $50K in uninsured/underinsured. When the preliminary estimate came out at over $11K, his insurance company told me to have my insurance (USAA) take care of my property. They will submit a package to Nationwide who will then reimburse up to their limits. After that, they would have to recover the balance from the person who hit me.

    With regard to fault...I had right of way. I was traveling on the road that had NO traffic control device. The other driver pulled away from a stop sign and never looked again. Being the milage Nazi that I am (was), I always travel(ed) the speed limit. I was not speeding. Not only was I not cited, I was also found to have not contributed to the accident.

    I will be curious to see what my insurance company does with my rates. The rate on my van did go up $100 every 6 months after I canceled the insurance on the Prius but it is also now the only car so we lose the multi car discount and the number of miles we'll drive it increased a lot. Since we got the Prius about 6 months ago, we have put less than 3K on the van. In fact, the only time it would get driven is if both my wife and I had to go somewhere at the same time.
     
  11. Fredatgolf

    Fredatgolf New Member

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    Depends on state law, but your agent will know if there is a possibility of the rates increasing.
     
  12. jeffn

    jeffn New Member

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    Haven't read every post but this may well be one of those times to get referred to an ethical lawyer.
    Both insurance companies have them already working for/against you (yes, your company is also working against you) so it only makes sense to get someone 100% on your side.

    as the old adage goes, everyone hates lawyers except their own.
     
  13. Fredatgolf

    Fredatgolf New Member

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    I don't think you need a lawyer. Insurance companies, by law, arbitrate these matters with or without a lawyer.
     
  14. jeffn

    jeffn New Member

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    Or perhaps a public adjuster to review all items in your policy and settlement offers. It's like a little leaguer stepping up to the plate at Yankee stadium guys. As a physician, I've seen hundreds of patients get abused by adjusters/carriers for both sides. And it's usually a free consult anyway, so you can always walk away and say thanks.
     
  15. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Only 16K in damage and they total it? That's interesting. There once was a post (can no longer find it) where Prius ran into a moose. Was $23K in damage, but insurance went and fixed it.
     
  16. Fredatgolf

    Fredatgolf New Member

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    Again, the definition of a total loss is when the cost of repair added to the salvage value exceeds the ACV of the vehicle at the time of the loss. Sometimes insurers lose their sense of proportion over this, but one can bring in experts to conclude differing ways on this issue. Personally, I would not want a restored Prius at $16,000 or $23,000. The insurance contract attemts to objectify what is arguably a subjective matter. I would fight tooth and nail and am confident that I would win a long and laborious battle.
     
  17. thorn

    thorn Member

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    I'm curious how loud was the air bags when they went off?
    The side air bags are right next to your head.

    I had read somewhere about people having hearing loss after an accident with the air bag going off. My sister-in-law was in a head on accident and her nose was broken by the air bag. She now has really bad migraines...
     
  18. KTPhil

    KTPhil Active Member

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    Just because the other guy was underinsured, that doesn't mean he gets out of paying ALL of your damages. Check out going after him in small claims court (in Cali the limit is up to $5K now), where you don't need a lawyer.

    Insurance limits do NOT limit liability! You buy it to protect yourself, but if you cause more damage than you have insurance, you STILL have to pay. Same applies to the other guy. If he is at fault, he pays ALL damages, whether his insurance covers him or not.
     
  19. rocco

    rocco Member

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    I too am curious about the sound/force of the airbags. I have a teenager under 100 lbs and wonder what the impact would be on someone that small.

    I'd get a different color - that color blends so perfectly into nature that it could be a problem.
     
  20. Denny_A

    Denny_A New Member

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    Re: Ever wonder what would happen if a Buick hits a Prius br

    Bummer, your collision event. Been there, done that, and other guys fault. Long before hybrids were even imagined.

    NESEP? If so - I'm surprised it's still available. If not; nevermind. NESEP, Purdue '68, Mustang, USN, Retired.

    Denny_A