kabam
12-28-07, 08:34 AM
#17
Moderator
Better still an update from the thread starter ... I hope there has been no latent injury discovery.
Salim
Salim
12-29-07, 12:23 AM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Nov 2006
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12-29-07, 07:11 AM
#19
Out of Warranty
First, we're glad to know your wife is OK, and we hope she has no long-term effects from the crash.
As far as "straightening" that monocoque body, it isn't easy. That stressed-skin shell is incredibly strong, and just as it takes a lot of force to deform it, it will take some powerful jacks to pull it back into line. There are special rigs for this, and it can be done successfully. I suspect that the insurance company doesn't want to foot the bill because that would tip the claim over into a situation where they have to total the car. Depending on how much damage was done to the interior by airbag deployment and seatbelt pretensioners being fired, there is probably PLENTY of damage, even if it is not immediately apparent.
A friend crashed her ES 300 a few years ago with damage only to the front bumper, and hood, smashing everything forward of the AC condenser and firing the driver's airbag. The rest of the car, including one of the front fenders was absolutely perfect. I was amazed that the insurance company totaled the car claiming a repair would cost nearly $20K, despite what appeared to be only a few thousand dollars worth of damage. They shelled out enough that she replaced her 3 year-old (12K mile) Lexus with a similar new ES 330 for $9K.
Stay after the insurance company and the dealer - if that monocoque structure was bent, there is surely other damage they haven't found.
As far as "straightening" that monocoque body, it isn't easy. That stressed-skin shell is incredibly strong, and just as it takes a lot of force to deform it, it will take some powerful jacks to pull it back into line. There are special rigs for this, and it can be done successfully. I suspect that the insurance company doesn't want to foot the bill because that would tip the claim over into a situation where they have to total the car. Depending on how much damage was done to the interior by airbag deployment and seatbelt pretensioners being fired, there is probably PLENTY of damage, even if it is not immediately apparent.
A friend crashed her ES 300 a few years ago with damage only to the front bumper, and hood, smashing everything forward of the AC condenser and firing the driver's airbag. The rest of the car, including one of the front fenders was absolutely perfect. I was amazed that the insurance company totaled the car claiming a repair would cost nearly $20K, despite what appeared to be only a few thousand dollars worth of damage. They shelled out enough that she replaced her 3 year-old (12K mile) Lexus with a similar new ES 330 for $9K.
Stay after the insurance company and the dealer - if that monocoque structure was bent, there is surely other damage they haven't found.
01-01-08, 11:18 PM
#20
your insurance company should fight for you to get it fixed. this is of course if you have the right type of coverage on your policy. if it has been determined that it was the other persons fault which it sounds like, then your insurance company needs to go after the other persons insurance
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gsrthomas
CL of Southern California
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03-20-08 02:15 PM