Dave19525

I was on the way home couple nights ago after dark running in the third lane of traffic right along the median and a dog ran across just in front of me. I know you aren't suppossed to swerve to miss animals, but I yanked the wheel left out of reflex. Next thing I know the horn is going off and both airbags are deployed. After pulling over and looking at things, I caught the curb just right trashed the wheel and did some other damage. Strange thing is it doesn't look like anything else even touched the curb. I can't believe the airbags came out! Anyway I made it over to see the car this morning and take some pics. Like I said the wheel is trashed(but the tire is still holding air), both airbags are deployed, the drivers side door now catches on the front fender and will not open properly and the left front strut tower is bent.

Do you think it is totalled? Anyone have this kind of damage and get it fixed. I am sure they will have to put it on a frame machine and straighten front fender/strut tower issue. Will the car handle ok if they fix it or will it always be a little off? Also if the insurance totals the car is it worth trying to by it back and fixing it up on my own? I could get airbags and a control module on ebay but a frame shop would still have to straighten it and it would then have a salvage title.

Hopefully you can see the pics below. I am not very good at posting pics. Also pics were taken at tow yard with a cell phone so they are not great but you can get an idea of the damage.

Kerns

Honestly without any body work. The front end of the car is in good shape. You are looking at around 300$-400$ on getting the frame straightened. Maybe a bit more because they will probably have to weld some spots. Then another 300$ for a rim/tire. The biggest concern is the air bags being deployed. You can get used air bags around for like 100$ a pop so if you replace them yourself you can probably just get the car fixed. Normally I think air bags are around 600$ each from the factory. I could be off on that price, but I believe that was the number I heard last time I checked.

TOMMY01GT

My only real concern would be how f"ed up is the K-member and everything it attaches to.

97stanger

I'll tell ya this much, if you file thru insurance it will be a total loss.

Sorry if its not what you want to hear, but I work for an insurance company

You are talking a new rim/tire/fender/blending the front door/frame pull and replacement/apron...

If you own the car, you always have the option to owner retain salvage and see what you can get for the car if you keep it