Understeered and crashed, looking for advice moving foward

[tnk_2]

Just go to a body shop and get a free estimate, then you can decide to file a claim or not. If you file a claim your insurance will go up a lot. my insurance go up this year even though I don't have any claim at all, so you will see your insurance go up for sure. I am not an insurance adjuster, but I think it will cost way way more than your estimate.

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[MAGS1]

Not much to add from what others said. Plan on a new hood too. What does the front bumper look like? I see the chin spoiler is broken, any other damage there? Also have the alignment checked and make sure nothing in the suspension got jacked up.

 

[K4fxd]

I just had mine fixed. Swerved to miss a deer and rode a ditch then hit a pole. Took out the fender, bumper, headlight, door and part of the quarter panel.

Mine looked a lot worse than yours. Total cost was 6500.

 

[leroychickencurry]

Not much to add from what others said. Plan on a new hood too. What does the front bumper look like? I see the chin spoiler is broken, any other damage there? Also have the alignment checked and make sure nothing in the suspension got jacked up.

Not much damange underneath, just splitter and undercover plastic was ripped. It was a soft impact with the barrier and the front wheel was turned so it avoided a lot of contact. I felt nothing stiff/hard through the chasis when I hit it. I will be getting 4 new tires asap and getting the alignment done

 

[leroychickencurry]

Just go to a body shop and get a free estimate, then you can decide to file a claim or not. If you file a claim your insurance will go up a lot. my insurance go up this year even though I don't have any claim at all, so you will see your insurance go up for sure. I am not an insurance adjuster, but I think it will cost way way more than your estimate.

When you say alot, it wouldn't be more than double right? I'm paying $250 right now and I've never gotten pulled over, no tickets, no accident (well except now ) . It wouldn't go as high as $500 would it?

 

[leroychickencurry]

I just had mine fixed. Swerved to miss a deer and rode a ditch then hit a pole. Took out the fender, bumper, headlight, door and part of the quarter panel.

Mine looked a lot worse than yours. Total cost was 6500.

Do you know if they replaced the panels or just restored and painted them? And were all the replacement parts (ex: headlamp) OEM?

 

[leroychickencurry]

Just go to a body shop and get a free estimate, then you can decide to file a claim or not. If you file a claim your insurance will go up a lot. my insurance go up this year even though I don't have any claim at all, so you will see your insurance go up for sure. I am not an insurance adjuster, but I think it will cost way way more than your estimate.

First thing i'm doing once I get new tires on it and shops open from xmas

 

[CorvZ061]

When you say alot, it wouldn't be more than double right? I'm paying $250 right now and I've never gotten pulled over, no tickets, no accident (well except now ) . It wouldn't go as high as $500 would it?

Depending who you’re insured with, they might have accident forgiveness if this is legit your first claim.
As far as damage this could very easily get to $10-$15k. Especially if the inner fender/apron got bent or damaged.

 

[K4fxd]

Do you know if they replaced the panels or just restored and painted them? And were all the replacement parts (ex: headlamp) OEM?

Yes OEM parts. I saw the boxes and am friends with the parts man at the dealer they were ordered from.

Replaced bumper, fender, windshield, door, headlight and repaired quarter panel. Obviously painted too. Car looks like new.

 

[leroychickencurry]

Depending who you’re insured with, they might have accident forgiveness if this is legit your first claim.
As far as damage this could very easily get to $10-$15k. Especially if the inner fender/apron got bent or damaged.

Gotcha, I didn't know that existed I'll look into it. I took out the headlight, no damage to the frame at all. Just bent thin aluminum that the panels attached to.

 

[leroychickencurry]

Wow, so sorry to read this. You're OK?

Unfortunately, I have some advice that may be a bit hard to hear. And it comes from having lived through my own difficult driving journey that included many accidents, suspended license, and uninsurability. You can find yourself in a bad place quickly and it takes a long time to overcome.

First and foremost: You say that you're young, so your driving history and insurance history need to be carefully guarded. The very best way to do this is to change the way you think about driving from "fun roads" to "protect my beautiful Mustang and driving history from damage at all costs." If you're "having fun" that always means that you're taking unnecessary risks at some level and not driving defensively. And driving even a little bit on the edge is indeed fun, until it's not. A Mustang is more than most drivers can handle, and that's what you need to remind yourself every time that you get behind the wheel.

As far as your estimate of damage, I see the entire passenger's side of the car affected plus the hood, bumper cover and who knows what's underneath. I would probably double your estimate number. Would I claim it? That depends on whether or not you're deeply dedicated to adjusting your approach to driving. If you've learned a bit of a lesson, then claim it, have it fixed and do the hard bit to protect the car and yourself - drive ultra sensibly. If you don't think that you need to approach driving differently, then no, don't claim it cause it will probably happen again and you're not likely to have the car to enjoy long-term. The truly scary part, though, is what happens if you or someone else gets hurt. You've got a chance here to make a committment to yourself to prevent this, and so far it's only a car that needs to heal. These awesome cars are NOT toys, even though we tend to talk like they are.

Most insurance companies will estimate the repair costs and either pay the shop directly for you (less your deductible you'll pay that part up front) or cut you a check and then you're on your own.

Ok. I'm done ranting. ;) Hopefully you'll not be too offended and get your car fixed and all will be good. Shit happens. Learn, adjust and stay safe!

Thanks for this. As I've driven the car in the past year, I've learned to become more careful and respectful of public roads (never cross double yellows, slow for the cyclists, etc). But I do love chasing limits and plan on doing trackdays in 2024. i'm really into the car hobby because fun, fast, limit-pushing driving. Maybe with this mindset, I should've gotten a cheaper, lightweight car like Miata instead of a Mustang. Thanks for your persective and thoughts

 

[2morrow]

+1 for track day

 

[CrazyHippie]

Depending who you’re insured with, they might have accident forgiveness if this is legit your first claim.
As far as damage this could very easily get to $10-$15k. Especially if the inner fender/apron got bent or damaged.

You may not see a huge increase as long as you stay with your established insurer. If you switch companies, the new one will definitely hold it against you. You have two points-based driving records. One is for your license (tickets) and the other is your insurance record. You will have 'points' or a 'claim' on the insurance record for at least three years if you gile a claim. Best to hang tight with your current company til the three years are up.

 

[ORRadtech]

It's pretty unlikely that any body shop will "repair" that quarter panel, that's a replacement. And yes, it requires cutting, welding and panel glue. Also, I'd be very surprised if that headlight doesn't have broken tabs. There's also structure under that front fender that will be out of place. Then there's the front door, I can see a pretty deep gouge down about half of it. If that is pierced anywhere the outer skin will be a replacement. As far as paint, you're looking at painting the front and rear bumpers, hood, fender, door, rear quarter (which will mean blending the roof as well). And what about the side mirror? It's not in the photos.
My WAG is $7k - $10k.

 

[CrazyHippie]

Thanks for this. As I've driven the car in the past year, I've learned to become more careful and respectful of public roads (never cross double yellows, slow for the cyclists, etc). But I do love chasing limits and plan on doing trackdays in 2024. i'm really into the car hobby because fun, fast, limit-pushing driving. Maybe with this mindset, I should've gotten a cheaper, lightweight car like Miata instead of a Mustang. Thanks for your persective and thoughts

You've got this. The descrpition (downhill into a turn with some leaves and gravel) are kind of a perfect storm for a heavy car that tends to understeer, and thats what it spunds like it did. Yeah, a lighter car may be more forgiving, but a lighter car isn't a Mustang. I like your plans to explore it's limits on a track. Hope this turns out well for you! Once I figured things out years ago, I got a lot of satisfaction and confidence driving conservatively and getting from A to B in a nice car without problems.

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