grizwick

The other day, I was driving my usual route home when traffic ahead stopped. I stopped and looked in my rearview mirror to see a silver Escort approaching quickly. Just as the thought, 'my god, I hope they're going to stop,' passed, it happened... CRASH. My car and I were launched at least 100ft even though I had my foot mashed into the brake. Luckily, I cut to the right enough to miss the Accord in front of me, but unfortunately, this sent me over the curb, blowing out a tire, bending two wheels, and scratching up a third. The curb took out the front plastic skirt and cracked the paint on the front bumber. Something managed to clip the driver's side fender and put a bend in it at the center of the wheel well. As for the backend, it looks like it barely was hit. The rear bumber crumpled in and expanded back out, but the paint is shot. However, it is shifted forward a couple inches. The trunk lid has a couple bends, but not too bad. The metal across the bottom of the trunk opening is bent up. The part that worries me is all of the "hidden" damage that I'm missing(i.e. suspension, frame, etc.). I mean, her car is most likely totalled. According to the Accident Investigator, she probably hit me at 30-35 mph. The front end of her car is practically at the windshield, and her airbags went off. I'd imagine that for a '99 Ford Escort coupe, that should total it. However, I am more concerned w/ my car: What is the likeliness that it will be considered a "total loss"? I remember an A4 on this forum being rear-ended at a relatively high speed by a logging truck, or something of that nature, and it looked as though it had minimal cosmetic damage like my own. Does anyone remember what happened to that car? Is there anything that I should really look for? The energy from her 3300 lbs car at thirty mph had to have gone somewhere. It certainly didn't go into the body. Hopefully, they'll just total it. Quite frankly, after an accident, I don't want a car back. Lastly, and most fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.

avantaholic13

hmmm, doesn't sound like they'll total it.

Perpetual Novice

You didn't mention year of car nor what trim level, so who knows? Most cars that get hit over 30 mph get totalled, but if you have a new '02 3.0 liter then they'd have to find 40K in damage to total it.

It appears most of the energy from her car went into launching you, and then got absorbed by your front suspension. You might also have engine damage such as the oil pan.

Good job avoiding the car ahead of you.

grizwick

Thanks. Good point, totally slipped my mind. Anyway, it's pearlescent '98 2.8 quattro with every option, except that it's a 5-speed. It does have 80k miles against it, so who knows?