So within a few months of getting my 2018 Challenger GT, I had the first ever "at fault" accident in my driving "career" (it figures - right after I get a brand-new'ish car, this happens!). I'm 46 years old and while I've wrecked cars over the years, it was always either someone elses fault or there were no other cars involved.
Anyway, quick description of the accident... I was trying to pull out of my sons school parking lot after dropping him off for school. The road I pull out onto is pretty busy at this time with cars going both directions and cars turning into the school lot at the same place where I'm exiting the lot. Well, I swear the car coming one direction on the main road had her turn-signal on to pull into the lot I was exiting from, so I made sure nothing was coming the other direction and started to pull out onto the main road (again, thinking that she was turning into the lot I was pulling out of). The road I'm pulling out onto is a 15mph school zone at this time. So I start pulling out and "bam!" - I wreck right into the front-side of her car as she continues straight instead of turning like I expected.
I was probably going less than 5mph and she was probably going ~15mph (I'm assuming). Most of the damage on my car is not from the impact, but from her car "dragging" across my front end. I was really surprised at the amount of damage done to both cars given the speeds involved (they don't make "bumpers" like they used to!).
Anyway, her car was drivable and my car was drivable after I ripped the bumper cover off (was hanging only by one plastic rivet and the side-marker light). I drove it home and all seems well mechanically. No air bags deployed on either car.
My question is this - do you think there is ANY chance this could be totalled?? I would NEVER think so, but I saw how they totalled the "Tall Guy Reviews" Hellcat with what looked like pretty minor front end damage, so I'm a little nervous now. I *think* that all of the damage on mine is "cosmetic" (no frame damage, etc) - I'm thinking front bumper, one or both fenders and the hood. I didn't see any damage on the radiator or anything like that - or any main "support" beams bent up.
I know that it's impossible to be sure about this from these pictures, but just curious what you guys think...
Thank you!
My car:
Just FYI - her car:
As an aside... Like an idiot, I called the cops, not knowing for sure if my car was drivable and thinking it was "the right thing to do". DUMB MISTAKE! Not only is it now formally documented that I was "at fault" (not that I was denying it), but they also said that they MUST write a citation for accidents like this!?!? So I got a $25 citation (that added up to ~$150 with all of the add-on fees). The cop was very cool and did tell me to plead not-guilty and they will basically drop the charges at the trial, but still... I thought I was doing the "right thing" by calling the cops to get everything formally documented for insurance purposes, etc - but no - was a rookie mistake!!! <sigh>
I'm *so* bummed by all of this... So go easy on me.
Thank you!
Anyway, quick description of the accident... I was trying to pull out of my sons school parking lot after dropping him off for school. The road I pull out onto is pretty busy at this time with cars going both directions and cars turning into the school lot at the same place where I'm exiting the lot. Well, I swear the car coming one direction on the main road had her turn-signal on to pull into the lot I was exiting from, so I made sure nothing was coming the other direction and started to pull out onto the main road (again, thinking that she was turning into the lot I was pulling out of). The road I'm pulling out onto is a 15mph school zone at this time. So I start pulling out and "bam!" - I wreck right into the front-side of her car as she continues straight instead of turning like I expected.
I was probably going less than 5mph and she was probably going ~15mph (I'm assuming). Most of the damage on my car is not from the impact, but from her car "dragging" across my front end. I was really surprised at the amount of damage done to both cars given the speeds involved (they don't make "bumpers" like they used to!).
Anyway, her car was drivable and my car was drivable after I ripped the bumper cover off (was hanging only by one plastic rivet and the side-marker light). I drove it home and all seems well mechanically. No air bags deployed on either car.
My question is this - do you think there is ANY chance this could be totalled?? I would NEVER think so, but I saw how they totalled the "Tall Guy Reviews" Hellcat with what looked like pretty minor front end damage, so I'm a little nervous now. I *think* that all of the damage on mine is "cosmetic" (no frame damage, etc) - I'm thinking front bumper, one or both fenders and the hood. I didn't see any damage on the radiator or anything like that - or any main "support" beams bent up.
I know that it's impossible to be sure about this from these pictures, but just curious what you guys think...
Thank you!
My car:
Just FYI - her car:
As an aside... Like an idiot, I called the cops, not knowing for sure if my car was drivable and thinking it was "the right thing to do". DUMB MISTAKE! Not only is it now formally documented that I was "at fault" (not that I was denying it), but they also said that they MUST write a citation for accidents like this!?!? So I got a $25 citation (that added up to ~$150 with all of the add-on fees). The cop was very cool and did tell me to plead not-guilty and they will basically drop the charges at the trial, but still... I thought I was doing the "right thing" by calling the cops to get everything formally documented for insurance purposes, etc - but no - was a rookie mistake!!! <sigh>
I'm *so* bummed by all of this... So go easy on me.
Thank you!