Skidded on ice and damaged car

Jamiesmum

Hi..I was out driving this morning and skidded on some black ice and completely lost control of the car, the steering wheel went light and I ended up mounting the curb with 80% of the car, one of the big curbs, maybe half a foot tall? Narrowly missed a tree and someones house.

It was on a bend and my foot was already on the break (20mph ish?) but I got pushed to the left as I was steering to the right.

I got out the car and checked for damage and all seemed ok as first glance, got back in the car + heard a awful sound got back out and it turns out my passenger side front wheel has been pushed into the wheel arch towards the back of the car.

Am I right in assuming this is gonna cost a fortune? As it'll be a steering and wheel problem? The tyre is fine, not burst. Both front tyres aren't straight now though and the above, the left wheel pushed into the wheel arch. I can't see any other damage but this but I guess their could be.

I've left it where it happened and just moved it up a bit to avoid anyone else hitting it, but it is parked out the back of someone elses house in an not so great unlit area. I haven't had it towed yet as I don't know whether to get it taken to the garage or my home.

It's a 2.0 Ford Focus 2005 and it's my baby. I drive for work and to get my partner to and from work, so I'm absolutely stuck on what to do. I know a man who runs a garage who can help me out for cheap, but getting the car there is near impossible now. But don't want to get over charged at a garage through lack of choice.

Long shot I know since no one can see the car but any advice from anyone?

iainscomputer

Hi, I had a very similar accident many years ago in a Vauxhall Cavalier. In that accident I had bent the wishbone, it looks just like the one on a chicken!
I went to a scrapyard & bought one for £10! A very easy fix, fitted in about 30mins.
I had a look on Eurocarparts & these are between £60-£100 new, so it isn't that expensive to repair.
But there could be some other damage, the only way to tell is have a look.

Herzlos

Jamiesmum wrote: »

It's a 2.0 Ford Focus 2005 and it's my baby. I drive for work and to get my partner to and from work, so I'm absolutely stuck on what to do. I know a man who runs a garage who can help me out for cheap, but getting the car there is near impossible now. But don't want to get over charged at a garage through lack of choice.

Most garages have some sort of recovery option, so they should be able to collect it for you. Or you can get a 3rd party to do it; know anyone with a car trailer? Friendly with any local farmers? Or ask about for a local recovery firm.

AdrianC

Jamiesmum wrote: »

my passenger side front wheel has been pushed into the wheel arch towards the back of the car.

Am I right in assuming this is gonna cost a fortune?

It's a 2.0 Ford Focus 2005

Without getting under and looking, it's impossible to say.

It might have just bent the lower suspension arm (a consumable, £50/side plus not-very-long to fit) and other relatively low-cost bits - or it might be a write-off with structural damage to the suspension mounting points.

force_ten

this is an impossible question to answer as we have not seen the damage

you might be lucky and get away with a new bottom arm or you may be unlucky and end up with a bill that is higher than the value of the car to repair unseen damage

if you have a friend in the trade have a word with him and he should have means of getting it tailored to his place to get under it and have a look

tykesi

As above, I did this on my last car and all that was required was a new wishbone, much cheaper fix than I expected so don't panic just yet!

See if your friendly garage can recover it for you, it would be best not to try and drive it (if that's even possible), most places will have or know a way of recovering it to them.

forgotmyname

Dont brake on a bend.. Brake before it....

Le_Kirk

Could this be an accident? Are you insured fully comp? Have you considered calling your insurance company, they will recover and repair and, if you have the right sort of cover, provide a car to keep you being able to work.

dannyrst

I'm amazed nobody else has skidded on the same bit of ice?

DUTR

dannyrst wrote: »

I'm amazed nobody else has skidded on the same bit of ice?

3rd time in 2 days, scenario described in slow motion and vivid detail playing on emotions, then ends up with a simple ish quiery .

Car is bumped, does the OP take it and get it fixed by the garage she/he knows or take it elsewhere?
Only the OP can know that .
As the car is or approaching 11 years old, it could already be beyond economical repair.

Jamiesmum

Thanks for all the replies, he can't get anyone out to get me to the garage they're a small business, but he has said he will come out and take a look at the car but by the time he finishes it'll be gone 6.

If he can't give me any idea of issues then I'll just have it towed to a local garage tomorrow morning and pray for the best.

Idk if anyone has skidded on the same part, they probably have.

I don't think it counts as an accident as no other cars/people/objects in general were involved, I do have hire car cover but my excess is 550 and just not worth the hassle I wouldn't of thought.

I was hoping someone could give me an idea or a quick fix to at least get it home or enable me to be able to drive it to a different garage but, I understand not seeing the damage it's just not possible.

None the less, fingers crossed it's not too expensive, or at least fixable.