[IMOLA*20TH]

Well, yesterday after 36 days of ownership my GTI was involved in an accident, I was traveling north in the right hand lane when an individual driving a 1992 Oldsmobile 98 Elite (yes it is a boat) turned directly in front of me and I t-boned him. I never got to my brake so I hit him doing about 35. And guess what my airbags did not deploy. Well in the end he was cited for failure to yield and ended up being from out of state but he had insurance which is good (so do I but do not plan on using it) I went to the hospital and have lower back ligament sprains, lots of drugs fro the guy, and Vicadin if it gets real bad. As for the cars, his is totalled I totally illiminated the front and back passenger seats, I was a good two to three feet inside his car. Luckily noone was in those seats, and yes he is fine too. As for my car the poor GTI held up like a champ, every single panel has a dent, in it. I need two fenders, hood and everything in front od that except for headlights they survived but I will be checking for scratches. The radiator is crushed and I do not know what else. The passenger side panels are all pushed together, we will see the extent of that on Monday too. I have a couple questions for you guys:
1.) Do I need to have the mechanical stuff done at VW in order not to void my warranty?
2.) I am pushing for all OEM parts instead of bondo work, which the body shop guy says that is all he does on new cars, no fixing, will I get this?
3.) What the hell is with my air bags, should I get them looked at?
4.) What parts should I replace with aftermarket, I want a Euro bumperstrip but need tips on a grill. I am also going to have them paint my valences.
Finally I did consult my attorney and we will be filing a demand letter that includes all my meds, repairs costs, lost work, rental, and pain and suffering. I will keep you all updated when I know more. I did get and Oldsmobile Intrigue as my rental though.

 

[landrumdh]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (GTI*VR6)

dude you are obviously doing ok since your posting this the day after. I wouldn't worry to much about the airbags. These systems are very advanced and designed to deploy only when needed. Since you t-boned his car my guess is your rate of deceleration wasn't great enough to need them.
Becuase his car gave way as well as you most likely pushed his car sideways a couple feet.
You could request the system to be tested if you like but I doubt they'll find anything, your airbag light would have come up if there was any problem.
As for your car, ask for ALL NEW parts. Do NOT allow them to 'fix' them. Because they will show signs of it 5 to 10 years down the road. And you don't need the body work done by a dealer any reputable body shop can do it. But I guess you could try to get a dealer to do it.

 

[IMOLA*20TH]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (landrumdh)

Yes I feel ok enough it sit at my computer, but tieing my shoes, putting my pants on and stuff like that is a little painful.

, I appreciate your concern though.

 

[BoraBuck]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (GTI*VR6)

ahh......Hydrocodone

Hope everything works out for you. Just don't take any crap on the car and call them every single day till you get what you deserve.

 

[landrumdh]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (GTI*VR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]Yes I feel ok enough it sit at my computer, but tieing my shoes, putting my pants on and stuff like that is a little painful.

, I appreciate your concern though.[HR][/HR]​

You were in an accident so that's to be expected. You have to remeber the airbags aren't pillows, they are explosive charges aimed at your body!! If they don't work properly they can cause alot of damage.
Count your blessings your driving a VW.

 

[kurumasuki]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (landrumdh)

quote:[HR][/HR]I wouldn't worry to much about the airbags. These systems are very advanced and designed to deploy only when needed.[HR][/HR]​

I for one think something is wrong with the airbags. Seen too many accident stories on this board where the airbag didn't deploy. There was an article (not sure where I read it) sometime ago about faulty airbags. It mentioned not to be complacent just because your airbag warning light is not on.

 

[Jacques]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (GTI*VR6)

quote:[HR][/HR]Well, yesterday after 36 days of ownership my GTI was involved in an accident... [HR][/HR]​

Sorry to hear that but 36 days has got to be some sort of record on the vortex, non?

 

[landrumdh]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (Jacques)

quote:[HR][/HR]Well, yesterday after 36 days of ownership my GTI was involved in an accident...
Sorry to hear that but 36 days has got to be some sort of record on the vortex, non?[HR][/HR]​

Umm I think there have been people on the first day, but I might be thinking of stories that were cross posted from other forums. I know there are people who got into accidents while on the way to trade in their car to upgrade.

quote:[HR][/HR]I for one think something is wrong with the airbags. Seen too many accident stories on this board where the airbag didn't deploy. There was an article (not sure where I read it) sometime ago about faulty airbags. It mentioned not to be complacent just because your airbag warning light is not on.[HR][/HR]​

Newer airbags don't deploy as easily as older generations ones does. This is because it has been found if an airbag deploy's during a low speed / force impact then they'll do more harm than good. I had a friend in a 2000 neon hit a tree at ~20mph (came within several hundred of being totalled) and Dodge sent people out to find out why her airbag's didn't deploy (she walked away). After running several diagnostics and retracing the accident the did some calculations and found out that force she hit the tree with was just under the amount needed for the airbag. So even tough there was significant damage the computer was correct in it's calculations that no airbags were needed.
I highly doubt your airbags are faulty b/c they didn't deploy. But I'm no engineer, just a person who has read a bunch of articles about airbag saftey.
And most of the people from the stories where the airbags didn't deploy walked away from the accident. Sure they went to the hospital to be safe. But they didn't crack their skul, or all of their ribs . . . Do you see my point? If you were ok after the accident why would you think the airbags were fault. They are VERY dangerous devices. And have been proven to cause serious injury and fatality if depoly'd when not needed.


[Modified by landrumdh, 2:46 PM 2-9-2002]

 

[Blacklightning]

Re: ACCIDENT!!! Another Fallen GTI (landrumdh)

With my old car I hit someone at 42miph in the drivers door and my air bags didn't go off either??