I was in traffic and behind a bus which then stopped at a bus stop, so I went to overtake it (as you do) I checked my mirrors and saw a van, a space and then another van a bit further behind. Because I'd indicated and it was slow traffic and I was going into 39mph traffic I figured I'd have space to get behind the first van and had left loads of space and time for the second one to let me out.
HOWEVER I hadn't seen that the first van was towing a small trailer.
So I pulled out into the trailer.
The trailer then pulled me (about a foot) til I hit the stationary bus. I wasn't going at any real speed at this point as I'd literally just started the maneuver.
The trailer had no damage. It was solid steel so it wouldn't ever get damaged. The bus driver also noted no damage to the bus aside from some paint transfer from my bumper.
My car? Different story.
The trailer, because of its height hit my drivers wheel and then the bumper, effectively tearing the bumper off.
While I was waiting for recovery (over 3 hours!) I had a bit of time to assess the damage.
I know the drivers side wheel needs to be replaced, but the structure holding the wheel on seems intact, the steering arm broke off but that's about it, and it's not broken, it was the bit where its held onto the wheel that snapped on the wheel itself.
The wing panel needs to be replaced or have serious surgery to repair the massive deep gauge in it.
Front bumper obviously needs to be replaced.
Looks like the front crumple structure needs to be replaced (because the bumper wasn't there so it's that bit that hit the bus)
There was a lot of fluid that came out, but it was the windscreen wash and water and either oil or steering fluid (both look similar).
The lights and leds are fine, engine obviously fine (not even enough impact for the air bag to deploy)
Bonnet has no damage
No fuel left the car
Steering on passenger side fine (obviously)
So I don't think, based on the speed of the impact and initial inspection, that the insurance can write it off.
I've read they'll calculate 'economic repair' based on the value of the car and would offer write off to allow me to buy something similar age and mileage.
Which makes me think if they tried it I might be able to put up a fight. It's a 3yr old petrol engined R-line Passat with lots of the optional extras ticked and under 20,000 miles on its clock.
I can't see anything similar online second hand.
I can't see any similar sized cars that aren't diesel (seriously, I do really low annual mileage which would destroy a modern diesel engine)
While it's at the garage they're also going to refurb a wheel for me (my cost) and replace the front passenger tyre (it'd be silly not to have 2 new ones on the same axle) - so I'm fairly confident I'll see the car again...but I can't help but feel nervous while I await the call after they strip it down.
Any words of encouragement/advice/caution welcomed.
HOWEVER I hadn't seen that the first van was towing a small trailer.
So I pulled out into the trailer.
The trailer then pulled me (about a foot) til I hit the stationary bus. I wasn't going at any real speed at this point as I'd literally just started the maneuver.
The trailer had no damage. It was solid steel so it wouldn't ever get damaged. The bus driver also noted no damage to the bus aside from some paint transfer from my bumper.
My car? Different story.
The trailer, because of its height hit my drivers wheel and then the bumper, effectively tearing the bumper off.
While I was waiting for recovery (over 3 hours!) I had a bit of time to assess the damage.
I know the drivers side wheel needs to be replaced, but the structure holding the wheel on seems intact, the steering arm broke off but that's about it, and it's not broken, it was the bit where its held onto the wheel that snapped on the wheel itself.
The wing panel needs to be replaced or have serious surgery to repair the massive deep gauge in it.
Front bumper obviously needs to be replaced.
Looks like the front crumple structure needs to be replaced (because the bumper wasn't there so it's that bit that hit the bus)
There was a lot of fluid that came out, but it was the windscreen wash and water and either oil or steering fluid (both look similar).
The lights and leds are fine, engine obviously fine (not even enough impact for the air bag to deploy)
Bonnet has no damage
No fuel left the car
Steering on passenger side fine (obviously)
So I don't think, based on the speed of the impact and initial inspection, that the insurance can write it off.
I've read they'll calculate 'economic repair' based on the value of the car and would offer write off to allow me to buy something similar age and mileage.
Which makes me think if they tried it I might be able to put up a fight. It's a 3yr old petrol engined R-line Passat with lots of the optional extras ticked and under 20,000 miles on its clock.
I can't see anything similar online second hand.
I can't see any similar sized cars that aren't diesel (seriously, I do really low annual mileage which would destroy a modern diesel engine)
While it's at the garage they're also going to refurb a wheel for me (my cost) and replace the front passenger tyre (it'd be silly not to have 2 new ones on the same axle) - so I'm fairly confident I'll see the car again...but I can't help but feel nervous while I await the call after they strip it down.
Any words of encouragement/advice/caution welcomed.