Chris: Isn't it amazing that you had time to fully assess your options and knew you couldn't do much? It sounds like you are a good driver and constantly are aware of your surroundings. Many bad/oblivious drivers might have swerved right and taken out some kids. Ughh!

You did get lucky though, you could have hurt your arms on the airbag. You should have thrown your arms out of the way at the last second.

 

Chris, you might try Braces Auto Body in the Marina Del Rey. They have a fine reputation.

 

You can definitely get diminished value compensation from insurance companies. I successfully did this 7 years ago when my wife wrecked a new M3 under very similar circumstances as your wreck. I got $6000 without argument from the insurance company after I presented them with several estimates of what the car would sell for as damaged. I did not need an attorney either. PM me if you want more details.
Mike

 

Wow. Just remember that cars can be replaced and lives cannot.
I applaud you for your quick reaction though. As ColorChange said, many bad/oblivious drivers might have swerved and taken out the children walking.

I wish you the best

 

Yes...this is the university area and many other middle and elementary schools in that area. My first reactions were 1) to brake as hard as I could and 2) knowing there are lots of kids every morning...

Gotta go...I'll post more later.

 

Comment regarding the airbag...

I didn't really expect it, so I was just trying to keep my car straight and avoid the girl on a moped to my left and school children to the right. As far as for future reference, is it suggested that you not hold the steering wheel upon impact?

I'm trying to learn as much as possible and even had a long talk with the accident reconstructionist who is handling my case...some very interesting things and so far, everything looks in my favor as far as fault.

Now I just need my car back...

 

What exatly did the other car do wrong? Did she not see your car before going through the intersecntion, was it a two way stop?

 

When the airbag deploys it can do it with such force as to break your arms, wrists, ... So, it is recommended that at the last second, you get your arms the hell out of the way. This is why most schools now teach 3-9 position, not 10-2 or higher to hold the wheel.

 

First, she failed to yield the right of way to me. Her intentions were to cross the two lane road I was traveling on. To me, it seemed like she looked to her immediate left, proceeded into the intersection, check her right again, saw me coming down the road, continued moving for a few feet and stopped right before impact.

BTW, she had a stop sign...I'm not sure if she stopped or not because by the time I saw her, she was already in the middle of the intersection.

 

Dammm Chris - glad your Ok - that is really all that matters

 

I can't fully recall if my hands were on or off the wheel when the bag deployed. I remember the impact and the bag deploying...by then, I might have been startled and released my hands. I only have a 3-4 in burn mark on my left and right arm.

At any rate, I'm very happy everything works as it should have...I couldn't ask for more.

 

Thanks Darren!...I feel very lucky to escape without injury!

 

Wow Chris, I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I had heard about it from a friend and I'm sad to find out it was you. It's fortunate that you're OK and I wish you the best outcome. Hope your baby gets fixed soon!

Aloha, Dave

 

Hi Dave...

Thanks for the kind words

It looks like TIG (other party) will accept full liability and total the car. I took the car down to Central in Pearl City and their frame extractor cannot handle the shock towers. They would need to send the car back to Los Angeles.

The other issue was a comparable or similar rental vehicle. There is a place that rents Porsche (no TT) and Ferraris. A Carrera 2 goes for $900 a day or the 360M goes for $1299 a day and they would have to rent me one of those cars until the repairs are complete. Add it up, and you can almost buy a new TT in a few months.

 

Typically, especially with high end or unique cars, the insurance company is also responsible for diminution in value, a term they hate to hear and acknowledge only when confronted. Many of the large Porsche dealers will verify the before and after values after it is fixed.