My Model 3 Got Wrecked Today :(

[ELECTRIC4ME]

I went to the yard to pick up some belongings from the vehicle today and was able to take in and observe the damage more calmly. Some interesting things to note:

3.) There were airbags in the footwell as well, didn't realize those were there.

I've never heard of these! I wonder how many cars out there have them.

I'm glad the car protected you and your family well!

 

[bkp_duke]

Can Tesla get past footages?
We have been asking for dash cam feature on Tesla for a while. Hope we can get this soon

Yes, there are images stored in the computer of a few seconds before any crash. Has been this way since the AP1 days. They are just not customer accessible.

 

[Kant.Ing]

I hate to inject this in a discussion of a serious accident, but was the Camaro on Autopilot?

Hopefully EAP is engaged with RCW and AEA, ie. Read Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Accelerating. Cheers!

 

[gillfoto]

Was cruising along the i-90 tunnel in Seattle, WA on mercer island with my wife and 2 kids, when I hear some vehicles approach at high speed from behind. Then suddenly I hear a screeching sound from a car breaking hard, and then a car slams into my rear end - hard. I was going 65, so that vehicle must have been going significantly faster. From there I lose control of the car, and the car spins out of control, hitting the freeway divider wall all the way on the other side of the freeway 4 lanes across, and then bouncing back all the way back to the other side of the freeway and hitting that wall before coming to a stop.

Thankfully the model 3 performed miraculously, crumple zones compressed, airbags deployed, no fire after the accident, and no one in my family seems to be seriously injured.

Still processing what just happened and getting all the facts from the police (there may be a criminal case against the person who hit me), but any tips and things to watch out for as I go through the insurance process?

Shocking! Hope you and family have gotten over it. Seems like there are too many crazy drivers out there, I'm always on the lookout for the idiots maybe down to my 11 commercial driving experience. Good luck with your new Tesla 3.

 

[Lucky_Man]

Good to know you and your family survived the impacts. Give your family hugs from us, then pat yourself on the back for choosing a Tesla.

Try posting notices locally soliciting dash-cam video clips that others nearby may have captured. Please keep us on TMC informed how your case proceeds.

 

[kavyboy]

The most effective punishment is that which fits the crime. Street racing punishment should be more along the lines of heavy fine and license revoked for a decent period of time (for an incident like this, a few years without a license makes sense and paying fines equal to the damage done to all plus traffic fines), taking driver education courses, teaching driver education to others and other community services related; garabge pick up along highways for instance, washing cars, spending time with people who have been victims of crashes caused by others...

I would 100% support civil forfeiture of the vehicle for street racers. It's both a punishment and makes repeat offending much less likely. Too bad if it's a loaner; be careful who you give the keys to.

 

[Richt]

Just glad you are safe and yes file a claim with your insurance company. Dealing with the other guys takes a little long time and you want someone on your side :-(

 

[Dutchie]

Just wondering if you and your family are still OK. I also was rear-ended nine years ago. In the beginning my neck was just a bit tight. But at the third day...the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in. Nine years later I am still 100% disabled from work. Really watch out for yourself and see a doctor.

 

[jlarmstr]

i very much doubt that he would get the taxbreak twice.

Nope, as long as he buys new from the settlement he gets the tax break. You can buy as many as you want, so long as your total liability is greater than the credit you will get the full amount of the credit. I bought 2 EVs in 2017 and got 15K credit. Easy peasy.

Now, the insurance company may adjust the value/settlement of the incident to account for the first credit, but that does not preclude him from filing for the credit on the next car.

 

[Jaguar]

Glad to know no one was seriously injured.
I'm sure Washington Post will have a front page story about this latest Tesla accident, any....minute........now....................

Yes, but judging by past experience, the headline will probably read: "Tesla Model 3 involved in devastating crash on i90. Autopilot may have been engaged".

 

[goto10]

Now, the insurance company may adjust the value/settlement of the incident to account for the first credit,

The insurance company will not take the credit into account. They don't care what the car cost you - they will always offer what they believe to be the fair replacement value of the vehicle. For a lot of new car owners with underwater loans that means they will be left owing money on the car still. For EV owners who took the tax credit it could mean they make a profit.

 

[jlarmstr]

The insurance company will not take the credit into account. They don't care what the car cost you - they will always offer what they believe to be the fair replacement value of the vehicle. For a lot of new car owners with underwater loans that means they will be left owing money on the car still. For EV owners who took the tax credit it could mean they make a profit.

Yeah, they will likely low ball it though.... I have been in two major accidents where I had to deal with insurance companies, some are better than others I guess, one experience was bad another was relatively painless.

 

[Darscot]

The speed of the victims car was not a factor in the accident. That being said all lanes are for going faster than the lane on the right. If your not going faster than the cars on your right get over.

 

[PhilDavid]

The speed of the victims car was not a factor in the accident. That being said all lanes are for going faster than the lane on the right. If your not going faster than the cars on your right get over.

Thank you for posting this. While I generally drive on the left lane about 10 mph over the limit. If I see someone come up behind me driving faster, I move over and let them pass. This way we both live longer.

What I really hate are people who suddenly get behind you and tailgate you before you even have a chance to get out of their way. That's when I set the cruise control and relax.

 

[AndrewTX]

Anatari,
First, I'm glad you and the family are OK. That's the most important thing.

Second, even though IANAL, it seems to me that if there is even the possibility of legal action due to this collision (either criminal or civil) that you are doing a yourself a potential disservice by posting about it on a forum like this. You may want to talk with your attorney before responding to any more posts here.

If any real-life attorneys here think I'm going overboard, I'll defer to your judgment.

 

[ohmman]

mod note: carpool speed discussion moved to How fast should people drive in the carpool lane?.

 

[dhanson865]

Was cruising along the i-90 tunnel in Seattle, WA on mercer island with my wife and 2 kids, when I hear some vehicles approach at high speed from behind. Then suddenly I hear a screeching sound from a car breaking hard, and then a car slams into my rear end - hard. I was going 65, so that vehicle must have been going significantly faster. From there I lose control of the car, and the car spins out of control, hitting the freeway divider wall all the way on the other side of the freeway 4 lanes across, and then bouncing back all the way back to the other side of the freeway and hitting that wall before coming to a stop.

compare this still shot

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/attachments/car-jpg.304554/

vs the google street view from just inside the tunnel

Google Maps

The cars racing had to be one in the far left lane and one in the 2nd lane (one in and one out of the restricted lane)

Did they hit you just before or just after you left the tunnel?

I'm assuming inside the tunnel and your forward speed carried you out of the tunnel.

 

[K-MTG]

Tweet Elon...he might give you priority on the replacement.

 

[Reaction26]

Antari:

We at the Tesla family are thankful that your family survived the crash. It could have got very worse very quickly and so glad your family is safe and sound. I am deeply sorry about your car and hopefully you will be able to get in another Tesla very soon.

If you need anything you have your Tesla Family for support on.

Arash

 

[Tin Little]

Antari:

Thanks for sharing your experience to fellow Tesla owners. It revalidated we all made the right purchase decisions.

I am sure you are still in a state of shock and you did ask about things you should consider/look out for as next steps. Here are a few suggestions from someone who experienced car wrecks a couple of times:

1. Focus on the positives and concrete things you have to take care of. Suppress thoughts on financial fallouts and justice for potential criminal activities of the perpetrator. Those are not in your control and the best you can do is to forward information to insurance agents and have them pass on to law enforcement.

2. In the aftermath of a severe rear-end like this, the single most important issue is your family's health in the long term. Your spines and neck support bones are compressed now. It takes time for them to be restored and regain their flexibility. You ought to seek 2nd and 3rd opinions about the assessment of damage done to your bodies and long term implications. Specifically I suggest you seek advice and assessment from two specialists plus a reputable physical therapist. When visiting the physical therapist ask for detailed evaluation of all your family members' form, balance, rotating and bending range/flexibility. Don't take any settlement from insurance company for at least 2 months before you have done multiple evaluations and confident about future outlook for everyone.

3. While I am sure you are in a rental car right now. May I suggest getting a CPO model S as a replacement if you don't want to wait for another model 3? You could get into contact with Tesla immediately if you haven't already to explore your options.