Accident! Can I get to the black box data?

[jayman]

I became curious about this, so I rode the elevator into the parking garage to get the owner manual. I didn't have to read too far to come across this blurb on p.64:

"Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver and passenger when the SRS front airbags are inflated."

Kind of vague, it implies that if the airbags don't deploy, no data is recorded. However, it wouldn't hurt to mention the Prius does have such a module.

With so much insurance fraud out there, and dumb drivers too, I bet we'll soon need front and rear video cameras that continuously record to SD cards. They can overwrite every 10-20 mins or so, so immediately after an accident or incident you eject the SD card and let the cops play it back.

My condo has continuous digital video recording in all public areas, including the sidewalks around the building. There have been some cases where intoxicated pedestrians have tossed a beer bottle through a window, setting off the security alarms.

Kind of neat how the next day, the local news channels have a bright, clear blow-up captioned "Do you know this person?" They never get away with it for long.

We also had a weird resident here that had something against one of the other residents. Keyed up his car pretty bad, so they immediately accessed the underground parkade images and proved he did it. He moved out shortly after.

I even get jokes from the building office here about how often they get to watch me pull my Prius into the wash bay, get out, scratch my butt, and start washing it.

The car, that is. Not my butt.

[kritini]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the great advice and feedback!

To answer a few questions:

1) The police did not arrive on the scene - only a tow truck did - so we don't have a police report or police assesment of fault. Our major lesson learned from this experience is that we will make sure the police are called for any future accident - this would be cut and dry and practically over now if they had, since the night of the accident the guy in front of us indicated that he knew my husband had stopped in time.

2) the guy behind my husband was driving a 95 honda accord.

3) I will definitely press the black box issue with his insurance, I also plan on pushing for diminished value so I can trade in and get a new prius. I absolutely adore the car and I really don't want to always wonder if whatever problem I'm dealing with was from the accident - this was in fact my first new car ever - in December I'd finally gotten rid of my 1981 Toyota Tercell that I'd had since 1995. I'd definitely like to have that new car confidence for a bit longer than 3 months.

4) I appreciate the lawyer advice. Normally I avoid lawsuits, but you're right - he is trying to commit insurance fraud, and I should take him to court.

Again, thanks to everyone who commented - I really appreciate your help and good wishes!

-Christie

[TonyPSchaefer]

Please keep us posted, Christie.
Some of us are genuinely concerned and interested in how it all turns out for you.
Also, if you just want to vent, it's good to have people to vent to.

[DanMan32]

Ah, I see the problem. Site has frames, so my search for Toyota went to the side frame. Selected the article body, and Toyota was found.

[DanMan32]

Reminds me when a lady was forced into my 88 Honda Accord. I was waiting for oncoming traffice to allow me to make a left into my home street. All of a sudden, WHAM. My first thoughts? How in the world did she hit me, I saw her stop behind me.

Then we found a large person driving a big SUV admitted to not paying attention, and slammed her into me. His insurance paid. Funny thing is, about 2 years later, I was asked to attend a review to testify on the situation. Why? He admitted fault, his insurance acknowledged it, her car was pretty smashed up at both ends. Why the investigation now?

[DaveG]

Grr... I hate stuff like this...

Almost all rear-ender accidents are caused by people being morons and not allowing enough space for the car in front of them.

Remember the old saying, 1 car length for every 10mph?

Very, very few people leave that much distance...

Dave

[MarinJohn]

It iis impossible to leave one car length for every 10mph where I live. People constantly cut into that safety space with their behemoths and ratchet you back as you compensate. When I can't see over, under, around or through the car in front of me to two cars ahead it endangers me and my passengers. I had some prick do just this while on her cell phone and swatting at the kids in her back seat, not notice that traffic was stopped in front of her unsafe 'cut in' and ram the car in front of her without even touching her brakes. Since I couldn't see in front of her I too ran into her and in my state the car in back of you pays for the damage to the car in front. In this 3 car chain collision I was the last car and my truck was totaled and no one had any responsibility to pay for it, and I had absolutely no warning that she was crashing.

[tomska]

Just crashed my 2004 Prius.... Wash DC Metro area. Fortunately i'm unhurt. Curious to know where you've had your bodywork done. Looking for suggestions...
thanks.

[kritini]

Just crashed my 2004 Prius.... Wash DC Metro area. Fortunately i'm unhurt. Curious to know where you've had your bodywork done. Looking for suggestions...
thanks.

Sorry to hear about the car - I understand your pain! I'm really happy to hear that you weren't hurt.

I bought my car at Darcars Toyota in Silver Spring - they have an associated collision center (12000 tech road in silver spring - their number is 240-494-5000). They will have a certified prius tech doing estimation work and the hybrid related repairs if the car isn't totalled. So far they haven't been able to do any work on it because of insurance company hold ups, but I've been pleased with their responsiveness and follow through. They are also a toyota certified repair center so if eveything is fixed there your warranty should still be in effect.

My process is slowgoing because of the insurance the person behind me had (Farmers) and because the person in front of me was slow to respond. It took almost 3 weeks from the date of the accident for Farmer's insurance to accept 100% liability. I finally got a preliminary estimate (3-5 k for what they could see from the outside), but this week they are doing a "tear down" so they can better see the engine damage - after that I'll know whether it's going to be repaired or totalled.

I'll give another update once I know more.