Another cell phone victim

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Mar 2016, 13:09

The high school kid said "I looked away for a second to put it (cell phone) away." Impact popped the car up onto the curb. Figures this would happen when I was out of town. It was towed to a shop, I will hear from their insurance sometime early in the week. I am not too optimistic.

: side swipe

: main impact was to LR wheel

: fender may be ok

Not super special, just a cream puff (130 k miles) of an NA, the quietest of my little fleet. Apparently that rear wheel wouldn't turn at all when they dragged it onto the tow dolly.

Post by **oragex** » 20 Mar 2016, 13:14

"I looked away for a second to put it (cell phone) away."

Translation: "I was just sending a short text my buddy about the hockey game tonight."

Don't forget to call his insurance company and mention his words, it will help him think twice in the future.

Post by **scot850** » 20 Mar 2016, 13:42

What a waste! So sorry for the loss of what looked like a really nice car. Careless driving drives me nuts. My 'R' has taken several hits in parking lots due to careless drivers. Main reason I don't want a new car. I'd be too paranoid.

Was planning to have my daughters Saturn Aura tidied up to sell now she has moved out East. Body shop want $1900 to repair all the damage. Scrapes on both sides from rear of front doors onto sides of the rear bumper, a crease in the rear bumper, a deep scrape on one door. Car is only worth maybe $6000, so won't make the money back on what is otherwise a really nice car with only 50k miles on it (09).

At least you got the little careless idiot on the hook, but chances are it will be written off. Such a shame.

Neil.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 20 Mar 2016, 14:30

Do you think that the mounts on the chassis are bent or would a transplant of suspension
parts fix that rear wheel? Wasn't there another 850 in the last month with a similar
rear wheel issue after a collision?
Sorry for your bad luck.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Mar 2016, 15:07

Crap on rye bread, Erik.

But let's face it, your Volvo just saved a life. This kid could have easily killed himself or others, and there is a good chance this will cure him of that bad habit

Getting new rear suspension parts on a FWD should be too bad. I have hopes to see it ride again.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 20 Mar 2016, 18:57

abscate wrote: But let's face it, your Volvo just saved a life. This kid could have easily killed himself or others, and there is a good chance this will cure him of that bad habit

Amen.

Post by **dosbricks** » 20 Mar 2016, 21:37

So sorry, Erik. Seems we are running the risk of this every day now with this present generation of new drivers. I try to tell myself the upside is that it's not a great financial loss if one of ours gets taken out, but like you, that's cold comfort after all the work and parts investment to keep these cars in tiptop shape. And there are just less and less of them available that are even desirable to purchase. Regardless, if it's totaled, I hope you find an even better one.

Post by **erikv11** » 20 Mar 2016, 21:54

Thanks all for the comments. I agree this was a relatively cheap and innocuous way for this driver to (hopefully) learn a lesson. I know the kid, she lives nearby and is a good egg, but messed up. Not the first 16 year old to run into a parked car around the corner from home.

Already thinking about buying it back, putting in used doors and rear suspension and using it as a beater. But I don't yet know what is truly going on under the back end. Just speculation at this point, I will update the saga for posterity.

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Mar 2016, 21:56

I watched a guy in a Grand Cherokee drive for a couple miles on the interstate here today with his turn signal on. When I got up next to him, he was looking at his phone. Oblivious.

It's a dangerous practice.

Sorry about the 850. I hope it can be repaired.

Post by **cn90** » 21 Mar 2016, 08:31

This post is interesting in a different way, my 1998 V70 was totaled in 2012 by a guy running the red light.
My 1998 BMW 528i was rear-ended by a guy playing with his iPhone.

So, every time I spent a significant amount of my time (such as replacing axles, rebuilding suspension system, or timing belt/cam seals etc.), this issue is in the back of my mind. Why spending so much time fixing stuff only to be hit by some careless people playing with their phones?

Anyway, it is what it is, I still repair cars with the caveat that all my work may go down the drain by some distracted drivers...