TrackStar

Hey guys-
I was driving on the BQE last night (3 lane highway between Manhattan and Brooklyn) doing about 60mph. An suv in front lost it's exhaust and I had no lane to swerve into and no time to stop. long story short, I edned up draggin it about 30 feet and it punched a hole in my rad. After I pulled it out from under the car I had to drive to the exit and park in a gas station, as there is no shoulder and my car was stopped around a left bend in the road with a wall alongside it. This made it unsafe to park.

It was around 40 deg and I drove about 3/4 mile and my car hit 4 bars of heat right when i cut the engine so i don't think I caused any damage. Heat stopped working btw. I popped the hood and the radiator stay was loose and the hood wouldn't fully close as it was popped up. Underneath it looked klike the rad support was ok, but I can't be sure until I take off the bumper and look around during daylight. Greg from GTMotoring gave me a great deal on a Koyo and a J's cap overnighted for Sat delivery, so I will try to get it back together tommorrow.

Anyone have any advice as to what other damage I should be looking for? Any tips for doing this in my gf's driveway? I have a J's fan switch and Mugen thermo waiting at my house that I can install on the new rad to make things easier.

Thanks for the input

ShocK

Sounds like it just jumped out of its position, when your installing your new one make sure everything lines up as it should. I think you'll be ok, what about your AC condenser? It could have gotten bent.

jyeung528

did you get the guy's insurance information?

if not, you can still claim a hit n run.

ShocK

I don't think so, its the same as a rock falling from a dump truck. Its road debris, your insurance may cover it.

TrackStar

Didn't get the plate or any insurance info. I just claimed my car being keyed and a new rad is less than my deductible.

jyeung528

if it came off another car...then it's a hit n run, or the other parties fault...

if it is a stray part by itself...then it is road debris and you will be at fault.

so in this case, you are not at fault...

shamoo

I think it may differ under different insurance companies. My company (AIG) told me:
* If something flew off a truck, BOUNCED on the ground, and then hit you, it's covered under a collision and my insurance rate will go up if I decide to make a claim.
* If something flew off a truck, and DIRECTLY hit my car without hitting the ground first, it's covered under comprehensive, and my insurance rates won't go up.

I checked with Allstate as well, and they follow this same procedure. In any case, I was lucky because I said it was a direct hit, so my rates didn't increase when they repaired it.