So about a month ago I was slammed by a drunk driver. Repair bill is almost $8k. Anyway, supposed to get car back this week, maybe even today. I just want to know what fluids and maybe other things I should replace. I planned on tranny anyway, but was thinking to just change everything now because don't know 100% what they are putting in there.

Below is a picture of the car. Should I replace the coolant they put in the new radiator? What about the AC system. I don't know why I'm worried, I just feel little confidence not knowing what is in there.

Also I was going over the parts and transmission solenoid caught my eye, hoping not to have problems in the future. Any questions I should ask when I pick up the car? I was thinking to test drive and thorough look over before I pay?

 

My experience is that the car will never be the same again..sell it if you can..

Good Luck Member

 

Personally I think worrying about the fluids in it is well...weird. Not weird but you know what I mean, why the fluids? Like WheelBroker said they never seem to be the same. Cars just never seem to fit together correctly or always have a little rattle you just cannot figure out. As stated if your in the position, sell or trade it for new or used (non-accident.)

 

I don't think it's really feasible for me to sell it, I'm not really in the financial position. I guess I will see how it drives and pray the transmission wasn't seriously damaged.

 

Holy crap! By looking at that single pic I would have thought it was a total. Must not have been any damage except the front?
Normally with that kind of impact you get some roof buckling, etc.. because of the way the car was designed to absorb the impact.

If the shop was worth anything, you should have nothing to worry about. be sure to drive it around well, taking it up to interstate speeds and everything, the day you get it back. They should have replaced the fluids with the correct ones. They should give you a copy of the repair sheet. It should say what fluids were used, along with everything they did to the car.
If you are not 100% satisfied, take it back to them and express you concerns.

Don't let those two above scare you! It will probably be fine.

 

I initially thought it was totaled too but it was not a head on collision, I was hit by a guy running a red light. I am very lucky he hit me in the front left corner and driving over my hood, and not a few feet more and slamming my door and probably killing me.

Should I drive it around before or after I pay? Never dealt with this kind of thing before.

 

why should you have to pay ???? insurance should handle all the bills,,,,,,,,,,and when you drive it,, if you are not satisfied take it back and ask them to fix it to your satisfaction ..
make sure that car does not pull......chk all the work that was done.. make sure that it looks professional and not paint overspray.......

 

And it should be the OTHER GUY's insurance that's paying. He ran the red light? He would have gotten a citation for that?

Maybe the shop can lift it & let you see the underside. Look for wrinkled panels underneath.

 

Typically other carrier will pay the claimant direct and require them to sign a release. The claimant chooses their own shop to repair the vehicle. That way it is not on the insurance company if the shop screwed something up.
That's how we do it anyway.....

I kind of doubt they will let you drive it without paying... but I would surely try it.

 

I've been in an accident years ago, where the other guy's insurance covered my car. My favorite shop was on their approved list, so they were paid directly. They found additional damage which the insurance DID cover. I can't believe I'm the only person to experience this, so there must be a way to handle it.