Mattresses and Priuses . . . Oh my!!!

[qbee42]

Is this the origin of the term "Go to the mattresses"? All along I though it was from The Godfather.

I'm glad you had the presence of mind to avoid a desperate high-speed maneuver. So often these things end in tragedy when someone swerves to avoid a minor impact. You did the right thing.

Tom

[cairo94507]

This type of damage seems to be more frequent than in the past. I see a lot of idiots driving down the freeway with twine holding a mattress onto the roof of their piece of XXXX cars. I see a lot of large items lying on the freeway and shoulder. I have seen CHP just drive right pass the asshats on the freeway without giving them a second glance.

[Martin37]

Follow-up: Accident happened Sunday afternoon. I contacted my insurance company that evening; claims agent supposed to call within 24 hours! Ha! Contacted other driver's insc. co. Monday morning, early. Their claims agent supposed to assess damage to my car; Hello??? Timeline is shortened to the point where I just about have to drive north to relieve pet sitters (2 dogs, 5 cats, 1 horse) and plant waterer.

Driving back to Buckeye after the accident I tested steering and brakes at good speed and had no pulling to the side so feel that alignment & brakes are suitable for the 1300 mile trip back to Oregon, plus additional 80 miles to dealership's auto body repair in Lewiston, ID.

Did not file a police report; good/bad? Did utilize my driver ed. teaching background to steer a straight course down freeway lane to avoid complications with other traffic. Use to tell my student drivers to do the same; if necessary hit what ever object may be in your lane while applyng the brakes but stay IN your lane!!!

Thanks for your good thoughts and ideas.

[grand total]

Originally Posted by Martin37

Did not file a police report; good/bad?

I'm not an expert, but surely you need to do this if damage is over some threshold ($1000 in my jurisdiction) which from the sound of it yours will be.

[tumbleweed]

I agree if you haven't filed an accident report you need to do so, soon. Your insurance company should have reminded you to do so.

[LoraJ]

So sorry this happened. What an ordeal. So glad no one was injured.


I agree with the others, definitely do a police report.

[CAR4TWO]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

Does AZ have a 'secured load' law? And did you file a police report? If yes on both, then the criminal liability from damage by a lost load should convince them to cover your transportation while your Prius is unusable. My state has suffered so many deaths and maimings from dropped loads and vehicle parts that enforcement is being fairly harsh.

Would you consider driving a one-way rental home, then flying back to AZ after the car is fixed? When my only boo-boo happened during an out-of-state vacation, this was my best option. Got a second vacation out of it. The biggest problem was getting the spouse to calm down enough to allow me to make alternate transportation plans. The second biggest problem was TSA's more intensive scrutiny of one-way fliers.

Talk to the other guys insurance company and ask what they are willing to do for you. At the very least, they will provide you with a rental car.

Glad you are okay!!

[Martin37]

Originally Posted by Martin37

...Waiting for other guy's insurance adjustor to come out and view damage. Pictures will be posted by next Tuesday.... have to be back in Oregon this coming Monday... looks like I will have to drive damaged Prius to my dealer in Lewiston ID; I can't see any way that claims adjustor, ordering parts and installing parts can be accomplished by this Friday....

The insurance adjustor for the other guy comes out Thursday AM - tomorrow, four days after the accident & two days before I need to head home! Supposedly he/she will work up an estimate of repairs that I can then take to my Lewiston, Idaho dealer's auto body repair facility. I want to know 1) if he/she has ever before seen a 2010 Prius for adjustment determination, 2) are repair costs limited to that determined by the adjustor? - Lewiston shop is not on Farmers approved repair facility list, 3) what happens if that determined amount is under actual cost? What other questions should I ask the adjustor?

[Martin37]

Originally Posted by Martin37

... Rather than crash into vehicles on either side of us I hit the piece in the process of slowing down. Extensive damage to right front bumper area. Innards of right wheel well stripped away. ... Pictures will be posted by [this] Tuesday. Like oil and water, mattresses and Priuses do NOT mix ... well!!! ... Sheesh!!!

For the latest news visit thread "Body repair estimate as follows"; I now have in hand two checks: one for approx. $1100 for repairs & another for $60 to cover cost of rental car during repairs. Since I have to have my front bumper replaced I will inquire about the added cost of painting those grey plastic foglight covers with the same auto body color. It shouldn't cost too much, do you think?

[greylar]

Originally Posted by Martin37

For the latest news visit thread "Body repair estimate as follows"; I now have in hand two checks: one for approx. $1100 for repairs & another for $60 to cover cost of rental car during repairs. Since I have to have my front bumper replaced I will inquire about the added cost of painting those grey plastic foglight covers with the same auto body color. It shouldn't cost too much, do you think?

Be careful on that check thing. I have heard that once you cash the checks the "payout" is considered paid in full and if it costs you more you might be out of luck. You may want to wait to cash those until you can confirm the cost of the repair. Can anyone confirm this to be the case?

Oh yea it shouldn't cost anything if they will do it. I wouldn't paint them, since the parts being painted are rubber/plastic I would be worried that they would crack and peal.

Edit: On another note. I has a similar thing happen last week. I was driving behind a pontoon boat and a table came flying out. Luckily I was practicing proper fuel economy strategy and had left myself significant room to coast/glide to the next stop light so I was able to avoid it. I realize leaving that much room is an impossibility in most areas.

I'm sorry to hear about the damage to your vehicle, that really sucks on a new car.
G