Is This Car Totaled? And How Fast Was the Other Car Going?

[gearFX]

If the air bags deployed, the Audi is a potential total. It will take actually looking at the damage to determine beyond the fact that it is a potential total.

Thanks Dan and everyone who has responded thus far (though new input is still welcome!). The Audi's side curtain airbags deployed (front and rear) and so did the side airbag in the passenger seat cushion. The airbags in the dashboard did not deploy. There is obviously intrusion into the passenger compartment (interior trim panels buckled and broken), and now 2 inches of rain has soaked part of the interior too because of a gap at the top door seal.

 

[djs]

And what has the body shop / insurance company said? They are the ones that count.

Dan

 

[gearFX]

And what has the body shop / insurance company said? They are the ones that count.

Dan

In terms of totaled vs not-totaled? Still waiting to hear something (it's only been 2.5 days though).

They said they cannot determine the speed of vehicles based on extent of damage alone. And that the other driver's speed (or other action) would have to be proven to have contributed more than 50% toward the accident for him to be found at-fault (not likely in this case).

 

[djs]

There is no doubt (in my mind) on fault. Different states work this slightly different, but based on the pictures, the diagram and your statement, the Audi is at fault well over 50%.

I guess my question has to do more about totalled/not-totalled. With the airbag deployments and the damage on the picture, I would think you are pretty borderline, but probably in the totalled category. If the car was older, there would be little doubt. A physical inspection would be required to get a better determination though.

Dan