Some bad news..(now with pictures)

[Custom88]

I received a phone call from my mother at 6 AM this morning extremely upset. i knew that something wasn't right because she never calls me earlier in the day, especially THIS early. She was on her way to her first job passing between two corn fields when a large buck ran directly in front of her SSEi. She didn't even have time to touch the brakes. She said that the deer didn't even touch the ground before it hit the front of her car. To make matters worse, the tow truck took over an HOUR to arrive so she was sitting there with the police officer bawling her eyes out staring at her car. She really loves her Bonneville. I arrived to the scene just as the tow truck got there and drove her home. I checked on her periodically throughout the day and even at noon she was still very upset. I feel REALLY bad about this. I hate seeing someone upset, especially my own mother. i wish I could do something to help more, but it's really out of my hands. Thank god she has full coverage with rental car coverage! The body shop that we had the car towed to claimed it as totaled. the total damage exceeds $7000, but we're waiting to hear from the insurance company before writing it off. This really stinks, she has had this car for six years and the body shop was amazed by how good of shape it's in.

From looking at the car this is what is wrong with it:
Front bumper cover
Front impact bar
Radiator support
A/C Compressor
AC evap core
hood
both front fenders
Both front air bags
Air bag module.
Front windshield
fuse panel.
Both Front headlights.
Both fog lights


Unfortunately I could not get any pictures of the car because by the time I got out of work the body shop was closed and the car was inside because the driver's window would not roll back up. I'll get some pictures tomorrow morning and update here then!

EDIT/UPDATE: 10/22/08
I looked at the car myself in actual daylight and I do NOT think that this car should be totaled. It does not look that bad at all to me. A lot of the stuff they put down doesn't even need to be replaced, like the fog lights, passenger headlight, passenger fender, windshield etc. Does this look like a totaled Bonneville to you? I bet you this car can be made drivable for under $4,000.











One thing that seems a little odd to me now that I look back on last night is that the owner of the body shop kept insisting that if the insurance company decides to total the car, he was very interested in buying it for himself. Hmm..

[repinS]

Man, that stinks :(

As long as your mother is okay, thats what counts!

[petraman]

Wow, yeah, been there done that. Well, not really to that extent, but believe me I've had my share of scares. It scares me that I've never had an accident with a deer... I feel like I'm due I'm glad your mom is okay. It sounds like she did the right thing and took the deer head on...

BTW, you gonna buy the car back?

[CincyGXP]

That is some pretty scary stuff. I've hit two deer in my lifetime, and it ain't pretty. Glad she's ok though.

[TenGHz]

Ouch. :sad5: Hate seeing this. :(

I really hope they don't total it, but it looks like she's a goner.

[J Wikoff]

Yeah.. not totalled. Looks like they just took a canned "front end collision" estimate. Get a new estimate.

[GreenGiantSSE]

wow. thats crazy. hope your mom doing good.

but idt they should total the car from how it looks. ive seen worse. they might have said that because the airbags came out. up here they total all car that have thier air bags come out. no matter what little damage it is.

[petraman]

Hmm...

I think Brian has those same rims...

[BlackHawk99]

What's the buy out on it?

[JimmyFloyd]

Depending on how tweaked the front radiator support and unibody are would be a big factor in whether it's totalled. If those are relatively ok, then you could easily fix it yourself. The airbox doesn't look cracked up, so you might be ok with it. The fender and bumpers and hood would all need to be replaced.

You could also see if Andrew or ed would be interested in buying it from you if you didn't want to do anything with it. Might get a few extra $$ for yourself, and help them/us out. Besides, someone will want to buy those rims I am sure.

[Custom88]

an update. Body shop # 2 quoted even higher than the first place for repair. I said he found additional items that need to be repaired. I don't have any of the estimates with me, as my mom has them all, but she said she needs to go car shopping with me this weekend. She didn't mention if her insurance company has even gotten back to her yet or not either. If it's totaled, she already said I can have the rims though. the tires/wheels are only a few months old. Unfortunately, We probably would buy it back and have an independant person fix it, but, she doesn't have anything else to drive while it gets fixed. I'm not even sure how long she will have this loaner.

[00Beast]

where do you live? I guess I never really found out. I might consider it, depending on what all happens. Let me know.

[petraman]

I *think* he lives in Lansing Michigan, but that's a guess... Somewhere in Michigan, though

[Custom88]

Battle creek, Michigan, about 40 minutes south/west of Lansing.

[00Beast]

oh, from what jimmy said, I thought you were in or near MN. MI is too far to drive to pick up a car, LOL

[Rusgreim]

Keep us posted. There is a chance I may have an interest. Not guaranteeing anything by any means, but the idea peaks my interest.

[BonneMe]

Could easily be totalled. I see Bumper, fender, headlight, hood, hood latch, probably rad support, maybe subframe...

[wjcollier07]

Is the rad support bent? It looks straight.

Doesn't look that bad at ALL. If the rad support is alright, that shouldn't be too bad to fix with just bolt on replacements.

I'm sure she is quite upset though, that is quite a nice car.

Stay positive!

[BlackHawk99]

I'm definitely within a reasonable distance. Let me know if you decide to part ways with it.

[WhiteArrow3800]

:sad5:

Is the rad support bent? It looks straight.

Doesn't look that bad at ALL. If the rad support is alright, that shouldn't be too bad to fix with just bolt on replacements.

I'm sure she is quite upset though, that is quite a nice car.

Stay positive!

I agree, doesn't look too horrible to me. So far I have yet to hit a deer, couple close calls. I see them nearly every night since we live kinda off into the woods.