Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:25:45 -0700 From: mrsegg961nospaml.com Subject: Safe but wrecked! need input
I bought my 2002 Linear sedan about two months ago. Yesterday an SUV hit the Saab from the passenger side with impact from the wheel well forward. My husband, who was driving, sustained a minor scratch to his knee. The Saab itself is a mess. The SUV, comparatively speaking, sustained minimal damage only to the grill, bumper and one fender. The passengers, however, seem to have sustained severe injuries, with some of them taken to the hospital in an ambulance. If anyone ever has any question about the safety of Saabs, I am happy to attest that they are indeed incredibly safe! I do need to ask for help from all of you. Saabs are fairly uncommon in our area. When the insurance adjuster comes Monday, I would like some advice on possible issues he might not notice or look for due to lack of experience. If it helps you picture any possible damage, the SUV was heading North at a minimum of 50mph and the Saab was heading East at about 10 mph when the collision occurred. The right front wheel on the Saab was lifted off the pavement and the Saab ended up facing north, about 12 feet from where it was when hit. Damage to the exterior is as expected at the impact point, wheel well and fender crumpled and torn. Headlight shattered but in place. The grill doesn't look that bad, but is sitting at an angle. The entire front end of the Saab is tilted to the right (if you are standing and facing the front of the car) about 3 or 4 inches with the fender on the driver's side crumpled to the point that the driver's door can't be opened. The headlight on the driver's side is intact but popped out of the body. The hood is shoved back up towards the windshield, more so on the driver's side than the passenger side where the impact occurred, and will not open. In the interior, the console between the front seats is skewed (as if it was twisted), to a point that the hinges for the lid popped off on one side. The Saab started and ran (we only kept it running about 5 min). We did determine that the air conditioning and the night panel display no longer work, but have not had the opportunity to test any other systems. We were advised not to start it again due to the possibility of something sparking and starting a fire. The firemen at the scene pulled the smashed fender away from the wheel, but it is still extremely difficult to turn in either direction. I apologize for the length of this post, but you all are the only ones I know who might be able to educate me about this. Thanks
