TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Got some road rash during a fender bender. Tips on cost or time to repair, diminished value, etc?

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by CyberTruckNuts, Feb 18, 2021.

  1. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    My beloved TARS had a bad evening. Wife was driving and someone turned into her, 100% fault of the other driver. What can I expect for wait time on the repair? I’ve heard horror stories with Tesla repair times.

    The front quarter panel is destroyed, drivers door, bumper, wheel, strut, and control arms are shot too. Not sure what other damage exists beyond that. Air bags didn’t go off and the frame doesn’t appear to be damaged.

    Any words of wisdom for those that have been through this? Should I look into a diminished value claim? My car is a 2020 Sealth Performance.

    94A789CC-D53E-4359-9D4E-B7A4DEEFAAA0.jpeg 3ADB0A9C-B1DF-4EC9-B0EB-7C75EE09298E.jpeg 773FC8FA-AE58-4830-AD56-B91AA551CEC6.jpeg
     
  2. UncertainTimes

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2020
    Messages:
    482
    Location:
    USA
    Take it to a Tesla certified body shop. Service center won’t touch that.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Good to know. I will call around tomorrow. Thanks.
     
  4. ml0204

    ml0204 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2020
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    New Jersey
    What he said! The process is not as long anymore, but stay involved. They will try to cut corners. When I had damage due to the other party's fault, on my six month old car, they wanted to buff this and paint that. I pushed back and got all new body parts, with fresh paint.
     
  5. ml0204

    ml0204 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2020
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    New Jersey
    I would also guess that you have over $7,000 in damage.
     
  6. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    That is good to know. I’ll definitely stay involved. Thank you.
     
  7. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    I agree.
     
  8. leonar40

    leonar40 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2021
    Messages:
    125
    Location:
    Bloomington, IN
    Damn dude that's not road rash. That is significant damage. Very sorry to hear that! Hopefully their insurance takes care of it all.
     
    • Like x 3
  9. MikeyMikeD

    MikeyMikeD Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2020
    Messages:
    21
    Location:
    Ohio
    Within Spec...
     
  10. MikeyMikeD

    MikeyMikeD Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2020
    Messages:
    21
    Location:
    Ohio
    In all seriousness, I'm glad she's ok and I echo Tesla certified body shop
     
  11. Sam1

    Sam1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Messages:
    887
    Location:
    NV
    So I have similar damage from a guy side swiping me.

    Front fender, remove dents from rocker panel, replace camera housing, replace hood, replace bumper, alignment was right under $4000 at Tesla.

    Looks like your fog light is done, possibly headlight and door damage, so that would be added onto yours. Then any underlying damage they don't know about until disassembly.

    That did not include wheel damage or a tire replacement, since those were aftermarket, they wouldn't touch it.
     
  12. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    That is helpful information, thanks. There is definitely some more damage as it looks like the tire is pushed in so likely damage to the struts, and support structure of the tire. Front door has a nice bend in it too so that will need to be replaced or fixed. I should find out in the next couple of days what all needs to be fixed.
     
  13. Sam1

    Sam1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Messages:
    887
    Location:
    NV
    If you get into structural issues, you're probably looking north of $10k with everything else that looks damaged.
     
    • Like x 1
  14. TBrownTX

    TBrownTX Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2020
    Messages:
    226
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Road rash... "It'll buff out". :D

    Glad everyone is OK, good luck with your repairs.

    Tim
     
    • Like x 1
  15. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Part of me wants it to be totaled so the car isn't stuck in service for weeks to months getting fixed. Plus, the hit to my car's value since it has been in an accident is also something that frustrates me.
     
  16. run-the-joules

    run-the-joules Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2017
    Messages:
    3,528
    Location:
    SF Bay
    I usually expect hyperbole, but in this thread we get understatement. "Fender bender" and "road rash" are both underselling the severity
     
    • Like x 1
    • Funny x 1
  17. Sam1

    Sam1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Messages:
    887
    Location:
    NV
    diminished value is sometimes a difficult number to come up with, but assuming you understand the basics of it, as most people don't even know it exists or if it is law in their state.
     
    • Like x 1
  18. Altarr

    Altarr Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2021
    Messages:
    17
    Location:
    Earth
    its not a law, its a concept. OP has the right to be made whole by the insurance of the person who caused the damage. Simply fixing the damage does not make OP whole.

    OP. get an independent adjuster (who should be billing the insurance company, not you) and ensure they are going to go after this for you.
     
  19. Sam1

    Sam1 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2019
    Messages:
    887
    Location:
    NV
    except it is a law in some states, and the laws apply differently in those states in how it is considered.

    wait until you google it again and find out there are different types of diminished value under some states' laws, and all of those variations also apply differently than each other.

    been there done that in multiple states personally. both my ex wife and current gf are attorneys so I have been hearing about this type of crap for over a decade now.
     
  20. CyberTruckNuts

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2019
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    Minneapolis
    Thought I'd provide an update. Current repair estimate is $21k. Going to be 3 weeks or so from now to get it fixed.
     
    • Informative x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC