XC90 - 2004 Saved Me

zan_antiques · Post by **zan_antiques** » 06 May 2012, 19:21

My 2004 XC90 saved me on May 5, 2012 from what could have been a very terrible accident. I got t-boned on the passenger front door by a driver that ran a red light. I was traveling at 40-45 mph, she was probably traveling same mph. She was driving a 2005 Ford Taurus. You know already that Volvo came out of that battle and won. What you don't know is that her car knocked my car onto 2 Wheels -- I was driving on two wheels (the left side wheels) for some distance before I yanked the wheel to the right and brought the car down onto four wheels again. Her car was totaled and had to be towed. I drove mine home, even in it's damaged state. Fortunately neither of us were hurt. I did not have a passenger. The airbags went off all over the passenger side. I am now heartbroken that my 2004 XC90 may be claimed as unrepairable by the insurance company due to how expensive the repairs may be. I love my Volvo and after this Evil Knieval accident -- I do not want to drive anything else. If I had been in a similar vehicle to a Ford Taurus, I hate to think that I might not even be able to type this post now. Yes, I'm a little sore, but no real bodily damage to me. But as you can see from the picture (attached)-- my Volvo did not come out un-scathed, but I know that my XC90 saved me.

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 12 May 2012, 22:56

Glad you are ok, sounds like you are a great driver too. As far as the car is concerned, it will not hurt to get a qoute to repair it, compare it to what the insurance company wants to give you. Then see if they will negotiate such that you can keep the car, if you want to put up the extra cost to repair. By the way they owe you storage fees, since the car is "inoperable" due to deployed airbags.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 13 May 2012, 03:45

-
This is how it works in CA (check your States Laws concerning your rights and Statue of Limitation). Take your car to a very reputable shop that services high end vehicles and get an Estimate and then second one at a reputable but just repairs everyday cars. It is your right in CA to have it fixed at any shop of your choice and it is the responsibility of the Insurance Company to negotiate with the Body Shop if they think it is too high.

After obtaining both quotes take the first Estimate and show it to the Adjuster and they will usually complain that the shop does not know what they are Doing/Estimating and tell you an amount lower. Compare to see if it is in line with the second Estimate? At this point by Law you can take the cash, negotiate a higher amount to cash out or have them negotiate to have the car fix at the reputable shop. Most likely they will total the car as the side pillars are very hard to get back into shape even on a Frame machine stretching and pulling. Like a tin can some parts are just not able to be stretched back while other areas the metal has been fatigued and no longer conform to OE crash worthiness nor dimensions.

I would wait a couple of days or weeks to see how you feel also. My cousin's car was hit and spun around on the freeway before hitting the concrete barrier. Though he had no outward trauma he did passed out and to this day still has head and back aches once in awhile. Never know what the residual effects are. If you are not feeling well in a week get a lawyer and have yourself checked out ASAP.

My car two years ago. I was going 40 mph city traffic and rear ended. Police thinks it was pushed the 10 car length before I put on my brakes to stop it. Happened so fast without warning!!! Be sure to find a good doctor as some will create more problems for you if they are in a hurry to address soft tissue damage by early physical therapy

.

Blessings,
BKM
-

zan_antiques · Post by **zan_antiques** » 21 May 2012, 13:51

Hi All,

A little over two weeks since the accident. I've been to the doctor, and had to get pain medication, but the muscles are slowly coming back from the trauma. The repair costs are over $12K and the insurance company deemed the car a 'total loss'. The insurance company is offering me $9975 as base price of a replacement car.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 21 May 2012, 18:42

-
That is a decent offer.
http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/xc90/2004/

Blessings,
BKM
-

zan_antiques · Post by **zan_antiques** » 27 May 2012, 11:46

Hi All, I'm in Arizona, and was told that my insurance company does not negotiate and there is no appeal process. Yes, I spoke to a manager, to find there were alternatives. Needless to say, none of them seemed worth the effort and I settled with them. With Check in hand, went to a dealer and purchased a used 2004 XC90 T6 with the stipulation to have it checked out at my local Volvo dealer for engine/tranny issues. As I'm getting in the car at the dealer where I purchased it, the low battery light comes on. The gear shifting is very strained, not like my 2.5T was at all. I chalked it all up to the bigger engine, and drove off the lot. It has 91K miles, and I'm now nervous after reading some blogs here and on Edmunds about this one. I hope my Volvo dealer will be honest with me at the 'buyer inspection' I am paying them for on Tuesday. The dealer I bought it from -- I got it in writing I can get all my money back if there is an issue discovered with engine/transmission before Wednesday. I love Volvo's but I do not want one that is going to require a boatload of rework and $$$. Volvos last forever and will protect you forever --and that's how we want to roll.

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 06 Jun 2012, 07:43

There is little issue with the engine. However that transmission is notorious. With that said, if your independent inspection goes well, replace the transmission fluid ASAP. Don't punch it too much and change the transmission fluid every 30K and I think you will be fine.