Structure damage + 15 year old car + Honda Accord at that = totalled

Outside of a Ferrari, there's no 15 year old car worth an attempt at a structure repair..... Even if you want to waste the time and money, the car will NEVER feel or look the same. I don't care how many laser guided frame alignment machines and argon gas torches you have, when you mess with the roof or frame, that's it. Game over. Total the car and be done with it.

Considering the unique circumstances, I do feel sorry for her.... but even if it were MY car, I'd still say junk it. Even with basic coverage, the insurance company should still buy it for the total loss. Even if she has to pay a deductable, I'd still take $1500.00 or $2000.00 before I'd take my car back with a roof damaged by Bambi.

 

OHS,

I have to say that I am surprised someone would lay down $3000 for a 15 year old car and not take out atleast a $500 deduc comp insurance policy on it.

On my 1995, I took out everything except collision, which would cover everything except me being in a wreck that is my fault.

I just couldn't see throwing $3000 down the drain if it caught on fire or got stolen in a few weeks.

Sorry to hear of her fate with the car, good luck on the repair. I'm sure she will come out with a better product from you versus a body shop.

 

 

I really think pictures are needed here.

If the frame is really wacked, repairs will only make look cosmetically better. Cutting and welding on a new roof shouldn't be an option. If you were to ever roll your car, that would mean instant death.

 

 

i have done that repair on an 91 integra. deer crushed hood and rolled up bending window frame down cracking window and mashing the moonroof down. it took alot with some help, all in all about 3 days of labor including paint. the main thing is make sure you have the parts, and if the frame itself is fine you can replace most parts off the roof independantly, i.e. moonroof and pannels around it. (im assuming the a-pillers are not bent, and everything (doors ect. operate fine)

 

 

This is a very good point. As far as the legal ramafications are concerned, a repair like this is so important to the safety of the vehicle, if you DO perform it, I would seriously consider having her sign a legal waiver of litigation if she were to get into an accident and the structural integrity of the roof is diminished in any way. It may not be a roll over, either. A strong frontal impact is absorbed through the A-pillars and front door frames on in through the roof as well.

She should be completely aware, in writing, that she is taking the car knowing there are risks. And, to protect yourself, it should be put into writing that she waives the right to file a lawsuit against you.

No matter how much confidence you have in your own work, and I'm sure you can do a good job as you seem like you are willing to go out of your way to help her. I'm just pointing out down the road what could happen..... and when she goes to sell the car, if there is nothing in writing, and someone else gets into an accident and finds out after the fact that the roof was replaced, they could come after her.

Sorry to put the damper on the perverbial parade, but I'm involved in a lawsuit of my own (plaintiff, not defendant), and through my case and lots of legal research done on my own I've learned to think like a lawyer at times.

 

^^ He is right. No matter how good this lady is but when something like this happens(I hope not), she will sue your ass for not doing the right job forgetting what you did for her.
Its just common sense and human experience.

 

If the car was insured it would have been totalled. The car is only worth $3500 retail according to KBB. Are you sure it's worth fixing?

That aside, a deer isn't heavy enough to do significant damage to A pillars. They will probably need some minor realignment, but otherwise, the structural integrity should be comparable after the repair if you're a descent welder.

This is a 15 year old car, the repair is being done under good faith by a person experienced in this type of repair. The waiver isn't a bad idea, but as long are you aren't giving the impression of being a professional mechanic, the owner should not have reasonable expectation of the work being done properly. You can protect yourself further by not charging for the work. If you are compensated for the work, you open yourself up for litigation.

That's my $0.10