Impact Experts....HELP!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Impact Experts....HELP!
Is it possible for zero front damage to happen on a 2000 Ford Focus, when rear impact on a Mazda 626 is evident? The Focus had none what so ever, but the Mazda received enough to bend the rear frame, bust a taillight, push the rear bumper up and into the trunk, bend the trunk to where it will not close, and push a quarter panel into a rear door.
Thanks,
Bulldog...
Thanks,
Bulldog...
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Are you sure the focus did this? Was the car already wrecked before the focus hit it? How fast was the focus moving when it apparently rammed the back end of the mazda? There is damage on the frocus, you just have to remove the outer front bumper to see it. There is a support inside the bumper that gives it strength. It's probably bent.
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The "bump" as I will call it, was from a stopped position at a red light, the Mazda started to move, then stopped suddenly, and the Focus bumped the rear of the Mazda.
What I am trying to determine is, was the damage to the Mazda there before the bump. There are also two half moon marks (cuts) on the Mazda bumper that I cannot see how the Focus did, but was told by the Mazda owner that were done from the bump. The damage to the Mazda does not add up to me, as NO damage at all is on the Focus. The Focus front end sits lower than the Mazda's rear end.
No police report was done, because no police were called.
I am a Dad trying to figure out what happened. My daughters car (Focus).
Bulldog...
What I am trying to determine is, was the damage to the Mazda there before the bump. There are also two half moon marks (cuts) on the Mazda bumper that I cannot see how the Focus did, but was told by the Mazda owner that were done from the bump. The damage to the Mazda does not add up to me, as NO damage at all is on the Focus. The Focus front end sits lower than the Mazda's rear end.
No police report was done, because no police were called.
I am a Dad trying to figure out what happened. My daughters car (Focus).
Bulldog...
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
The 626 is a larger, heavier car than the Focus. Physics and common sense tell me that the Focus should have MORE damage than the Mazda, not less (or none, as it appears to be in this case).
Personally, I'd love to see the other guy take this to small-claims court. I'd think all you'd have to do is present photos of the Focus taken right after the accident which show NO damage. Then ask the judge, "how can this be?" At the very least, your insurance company should handle this, as they're the one that's going to have to pay this guy, right?
Personally, I'd love to see the other guy take this to small-claims court. I'd think all you'd have to do is present photos of the Focus taken right after the accident which show NO damage. Then ask the judge, "how can this be?" At the very least, your insurance company should handle this, as they're the one that's going to have to pay this guy, right?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Cathedral City
Originally Posted by Bulldog44
The "bump" as I will call it, was from a stopped position at a red light, the Mazda started to move, then stopped suddenly , and the Focus bumped the rear of the Mazda.
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It's a "I did not call the police because I felt sorry for your daughter", but if you want, you can pay me $xxx dollars and we can forget about it deal. I just want to know how my Focus caused all the damage to the Mazda without receiveing any damage to the Focus.
I would like to NOT contact my insurance, as my insurance is high enough already. There is a possibly that he did not have any insurance or whatever to not get the police involved. He did get a quick quote (nothing in writing) from a detail shop, at somewhere over $1000 to $1500, but not sure until they get it torn down first to see all the damage.
Bulldog...
I would like to NOT contact my insurance, as my insurance is high enough already. There is a possibly that he did not have any insurance or whatever to not get the police involved. He did get a quick quote (nothing in writing) from a detail shop, at somewhere over $1000 to $1500, but not sure until they get it torn down first to see all the damage.
Bulldog...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
I would take one for the team and report it to your insurance company. When their claims dept comes out and looks at the focus they'll cry wolf and the other guy WILL shut up. He'll probably get slammed with insurance fraud charges.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,443
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
not only report it to the insurance co, but call the cops asap. explain that the guy said that he did not want the police involved, your new driver daughter did not know any better, and now the guy is calling you and saying if you give him $1500, he will forget about it. the cops will take care of him when they see the extent of the damage to his car, and the fact that there is not even any paint scratched on your daughters car.
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His fee, if we can call it that, is a lot less than the amount for repair. I have discussed this with several police officers (friends) and have been advised to what I should do. To put it in a nut shell, I was told to offer him $100 and tell him to take it of leave it. Without a police report, he hasn't got a leg to stand on. I will check with an insurance friend and then proceed. I want to do the right thing, and calling the insurance is a option, but after viewing his damage, and having none on the Focus, it just did not add up to the damage on his Mazda. Either Ford makes one hell of a tuff Focus, or Mazda's are a piece of crap.
Bulldog...
Bulldog...
Last edited by Bulldog44; Dec 9, 2005 at 11:18 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
You need to stop this guy from doing this very same thing to someone else. Report it officially to the police and your insurance company. Your rates likely won't go up when they see there is no damage on your car.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Manassas Park, VA
No way, that much damage to the 626 and the focus would have some visible damage.
I had a similar incedent happen to me back in 04. I was sitting at a light in my 90 Prelude was able to pull forward some as the car in front had gone through, one of those left turn yield on green type lights. Girl behind me in a lowered Focus didn't realize I had to stop for oncoming traffic and hit me, Honda ended up with a crack plastic bumper cover and a bent tailpipe. Focus had a cracked bumper cover, broken headlight and a small dent in the hood, she tried to swerve at the last second and hit a a slight angle. This was maybe a 5 mph hit.
So with what happened in your situation I would expect nothing to have happened, if anything maybe a scratch on the Focus bumper but nothing more
I had a similar incedent happen to me back in 04. I was sitting at a light in my 90 Prelude was able to pull forward some as the car in front had gone through, one of those left turn yield on green type lights. Girl behind me in a lowered Focus didn't realize I had to stop for oncoming traffic and hit me, Honda ended up with a crack plastic bumper cover and a bent tailpipe. Focus had a cracked bumper cover, broken headlight and a small dent in the hood, she tried to swerve at the last second and hit a a slight angle. This was maybe a 5 mph hit.
So with what happened in your situation I would expect nothing to have happened, if anything maybe a scratch on the Focus bumper but nothing more
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
I've been in an accident where the physics didn't work out in my favor. Picture an '88 Merc Sable rear-ending a mid-90s VW Jetta. I was in the Sable, and locked 'em up on wet pavement. I did NOTHING to the Jetta, but it trashed the front of my Sable.
That sure sounds like the guy is doing the insurance fraud thing. He probably did the damage previously and just short-stopped like that to take advantage of your daughter's insurance. I'm surprised he didn't claim whiplash along with it.
Jason
That sure sounds like the guy is doing the insurance fraud thing. He probably did the damage previously and just short-stopped like that to take advantage of your daughter's insurance. I'm surprised he didn't claim whiplash along with it.
Jason