Hit by ice block on the highway - need help from experts

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woodpecka

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Hi

A stupid truck driver didn't cleanup his truck before driving on the highway and he lots a huge block of ice in front of me. I have been able to avoid the 5 x 5 feets block but it the 2 x 2 feet. The block was hard and 8-10 inch thin. So I hit it with my front bumper and the only damage I got is a set of scratches.

Today I tried to remove them with my PC, Yellow LC cutting pad, Menzerna FG400 and it didn't work. So I tried to wet sand with 2000 and 3000 grit and it didn't work.

When I touch the scratches, I can not really feel them so I wonder if the scratches could be internal, at the paint level, under the clear coat.

This bumper have been repainted by BMW Collision center 2 years ago at OEM specs.

Bumper:
IMG_1778.jpg



Stupid truck driver:
IMG_1679.jpg


NB: I called the police to arrest this guy. There were another huge block that would fall and could hurt (or kill) somebody.
 
:wow:...What an awful happenstance to report on your first post on AGO!!

That's some kind of scratching that ice did.
Get yourself a magnifying lens to see if the scratches penetrated the CC, or not.

Taking the vehicle back to the collision center, may be based upon these Sherlock-ing findings.

BTW: :welcome:

Bob
 
that's why to not follow too close especially on highway when a drop of stuff can really damage..
 
start with some 1000 then 1500 and the last step 2000 tape out the are to be worked and stay inside the tape.
 
Def looks like stress cracks. Good thing you have his license plate info. You can call your insurance company and file a claim since something "fell off" and hit your car it would fall under your comprehensive coverage.
 
Lol @ having him arrested. Depending on the jurisdiction that may be on you for following too closely.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD
 
Ouch, those are stress cracks brother. Leave them alone. Body shop and insurance claim time brother.
 
bootstrap said:
Lol @ having him arrested. Depending on the jurisdiction that may be on you for following too closely.
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Just what I was thinking. That wouldn't be an arrestable offense anyway...

Those stress fracture suck, like stated a trip to a body shop is advised. I probably wouldn't even go through insurance unless they go after the van, but it will be tough to say it was him.
 
74 thing said:
Def looks like stress cracks. Good thing you have his license plate info. You can call your insurance company and file a claim since something "fell off" and hit your car it would fall under your comprehensive coverage.
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You're correct if the falling object hits the vehicle before it hits the pavement. Once it hits the pavement the insurance company "may" consider it to merely be an object in the roadway that you "collided" with and it will come under your collision coverage. It's best to find out from your insurance company if it will be under your comprehensive or collision coverage before a claim is filed as collision will have normally a higher deductible and repair to the bumper cover may be less than the deductible. Some companies are more lenient than others.

Some states require vehicle owners to remove snow and ice that may cause this type of damage so the OP needs to find out if it's the law in his state.
 
Not arrestable but ticketable in some areas. Not on some random callers statement, but if he were stopped by a police officer on the 'tip' and still had ice and snow on the vehicle and it could cause an accident, he could be ticketed (could being the operative word)

Certainly could file a claim against his insurance, but be prepared for them to come back and say you followed too closely, and for the ensuing court battle. Just food for thought. Anyone can sue anyone (Which is, when it's all said and done, what you're really going to be doing if you file a claim against his insurance). Winning is the issue.
 
allenk4 said:
+1
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This is my feeling too as I can't really feel the scratches on the clear coat. I will try to found a pro detailer and asking his advise by showing the car.


Concerning the distance, I was +15 car distance and that's why I have been able to avoid the 1st huge block. Also, it's the driver responsibility to secure any object that can fall down from your vehicle. I could claim it to the insurance but I would risk too much to increase my payment for this simple scratched.

Thank you for your advise on the stress cracks. I will continue my research on this assumption.

BTW, my sister is a senior car insurance adviser and we agreed it's safer to don't claim. (I already have another claim done before). Also, in Quebec, you can't claim the others directly. Only your insurance can if needed. So, you only deal with your.
 
woodpecka said:
This is my feeling too as I can't really feel the scratches on the clear coat. I will try to found a pro detailer and asking his advise by showing the car.


Concerning the distance, I was +15 car distance and that's why I have been able to avoid the 1st huge block. Also, it's the driver responsibility to secure any object that can fall down from your vehicle. I could claim it to the insurance but I would risk too much to increase my payment for this simple scratched.

Thank you for your advise on the stress cracks. I will continue my research on this assumption.

BTW, my sister is a senior car insurance adviser and we agreed it's safer to don't claim. (I already have another claim done before). Also, in Quebec, you can't claim the others directly. Only your insurance can if needed. So, you only deal with your.
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Did the 2x2 ice hit you before it falls on ground?
 
twobucket said:
Did the 2x2 ice hit you before it falls on ground?
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If it fall on the ground first, the law here declare the other driver as not responsible. If not, he his.

No the block did fly in the air for 3-4 sec before it fall down.
 
Anybody knows if OEM paint should resist to stress? This bumper has been repaint by the BMW Collision center to OEM spec 1-2 years ago and I am questioning if they did a good job.
 
woodpecka said:
Anybody knows if OEM paint should resist to stress? This bumper has been repaint by the BMW Collision center to OEM spec 1-2 years ago and I am questioning if they did a good job.
Click to expand...

Experts, do you think this is a normal OEM BMW paint reaction? If not, I could claim BMW to repaint the bumper to spec. There is the warranty mentioned on their web sites.

BMW Certified Collision Repair Centre Repair Guarantee.
Each BMW Certified Collision Repair Centre is dedicated to providing you with workmanship that meets BMW Group quality standards and is guaranteed for as long as you own your BMW.
Click to expand...
 
woodpecka said:
Experts, do you think this is a normal OEM BMW paint reaction? If not, I could claim BMW to repaint the bumper to spec. There is the warranty mentioned on their web sites.
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They will probably have an EPTG.
Do you think they'll find out that you've already "buffed" on the scratched/blemished area?
Would that void the warranty?

:dunno:

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
They will probably have an EPTG.
Do you think they'll find out that you've already "buffed" on the scratched/blemished area?
Would that void the warranty?

:dunno:

Bob
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I don't think this will void it, we can see any damage I could have created.
This bumper has been repaint 2 times by BMW because the first time the paint start peeling when they try to wash it with their pressure washer. They proposed to repaint it for free a 2nd time.

It's it possible that they missed something in their painting process? Does a normal bumper should be enough flexible to avoid paint cracking under the clear coat?
 
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