Got in an Accident today

[kerph32]

I'm fine... my car isn't:

Guy was flying around campus up here in the shown pickup and hit me as I was pulling out of my parking lot, my view was obscured by a parked work truck... long story.
Anyway....
This picture doesn't show one thing that is pretty wierd: the airbags didn't deploy. Everyone that's seen is has said "that's really scary that your airbags didn't deploy, you should call BMW about that"
I have pictures of the undeployed airbags... what should I do?

 

[flyinH]

good thing you're alright.and damn.......you took a hit.that's strange that the airbags didn't deploy.i would take alot of pics the way it sits as well as engine compartment pics and contact BMWNA about this.from the looks of that pic,i would definitly assume they should've deployed.did you get hit on the front corner?

 

[andreyiv]

Maybe they didn't deploy because you weren't moving at higher speed, why should something stop your head if it's not moving. I'm no air bag expert but that could be the case. Contact BMW anyways.

 

[vlad]

Glad you're ok!

 

[manuel]

selling anything off of the car?

 

[Big Daddy]

Thank God your Ok! I am not there to examine the car, however airbags will not deploy if the initial impact is not within a certain degree of "head on", or the impact was above the sensor level, or the speeds were not within tolerances. Would not hurt to have it examined by a professional.

 

[Bryan330i]

Nice to see you are OK. These things just happen so fast. That guy must have been really flying.

 

[Bryan330i]

PS-It may have actually been good the air bags did not deploy. From my experience you only want them to deploy under a very significant front impact, and I think they are designed that way.

 

[VANCE]

glad you are ok..whatcha gonna get now?

 

[kerph32]

thanks for all the responses and kind words, I plan on contacting BMW via phone just to ask them about the situation.
As for what's next... I won't be able to find that condition of 328 again I don't think... this thing was perfect. My frustration exceeds words right now. I got screwed by the cops that investigated it, they said it was my fault, and didn't even take into consideration how fast this guy was going on a college campus, where the speed limit is 15.
Buuuuut if it gets totaled and I do get a good value for the car, I'll probably try to find another '96 or '97 328is, but this time a 5-speed

 

[kerph32]

oh manuel, if the car gets totaled I'm not sure if I can sell anything off of the car. I definately would want to grab the rims/tires if nothing else though and put them on my next one. I'm not sure how all that works with totaling a car, etc.

 

[airlordz]

Damn you got smacked. Well to repeat what everyone else said you are ok thats all that matters really. The guy must have been flying to make the car crumple up like that for sure

 

[kerph32]

I have BMW's phone number here, but I'm not sure what to ask them... I'm almost wondering if they would not want me posting the pictures of the undeployed airbags anywhere, and to keep me from doing so or from going "public" with the pictures, they give me a new car..... (wishful thinking )

 

[bmw4life13]

dude, i'm sorry that happened to you. it looks like there was only minimal damage to the truck.....how weird. just remember cars are replaceable but your life or your body parts aren't. i hope everything works out and you find yourself a nice bimmer that's stick.

 

[fran]

that you're ok. I got into an accident as well last Saturday. It was pretty bad... I wrapped my Bimmer around a telephone pole.

 

[kerph32]

another pic... it crumped well... but no airbags [???1]

 

[carcus]

Sorry about the loss, glad you are OK at least. When insurance makes a pay off, make sure you put some stock rims back on and keep the contours. Maybe a nice M3 or convert will come your way pretty cheap. Main thing is that you are OK. That is weird a crash like that and no air bag deployment?

 

[kerph32]

thanks, the thing is, I don't have my stock rims (sold them)... so if they total the car, can I keep the rims? (I know nothing about car insurance business)

 

[frolf]

from that second pic you posted i feel truely terrible. your car looks like it was absolutely pristine. I am very glad you are ok though friend.

and Fran, holy crap. glad you are ok too. is this the first you metioned it on the forum?

 

[Tom]

thanks, the thing is, I don't have my stock rims (sold them)... so if they total the car, can I keep the rims? (I know nothing about car insurance business)

Sorry to hear...If you had the car towed to your home, I would find some cheap wheels and put those on, anything aftermarket should also be yanked off. You can try to argue his excessive speed but its your word against his.