Rear Ended! Head rests deployed...
05-30-2009, 04:03 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i, platinum gray with cream beige dakota leather, premium, sport, comfort access, navigation, heated seats, sport auto with paddles, premium sound, sat radio, ipod
I was rear ended last night sitting at a light waiting to to turn right on red. I was looking left 110 degrees at on coming traffic when it happened. Lady behind me thought I had pulled away and she too was looking left while driving forward. Hit me pretty hard. Huge crunch sound and my son says he thought we moved about 3 feet. My left forehead smacked the b-pillar pretty hard and left me with a level I concussion. I was pretty confused for about 15 - 30 minutes. A cop witnessed the accident and he charged her with following too closely.
I was shocked to see that an accordion type device deployed in both front head rests which prevented whip lash. Pretty cool engineering. Cops and EMTS were in awe of the car. No one had ever seen this. Has any one here?
I was expecting some pretty major damage to the rear but it appears only the bumper cover is damaged. I will need to have that replaced and anything else they discover addressed. (I'm worried about fit and paint matching - the car is only 1 year old). I spent 3.5 hours in the ER last night for a pretty good headache, CT scan of my head, tetanus shot and butterfly on my cut forehead. Lots of fun.
All things considered, my car seemingly handled the impact very well. My head lost against the b-pillar and my back is a little stiff today. If only that lady had been paying better attention. Geez!
Anyone know how to repack the headrests? Dealer says they can fix it but her insurance is not likely to pay their $100 per hour labor rate. Dealer suggested I have the body shop do it. I hope I don't get screwed in this repair job. If anyone knows what to do, please chime in. Pix attached.
I was shocked to see that an accordion type device deployed in both front head rests which prevented whip lash. Pretty cool engineering. Cops and EMTS were in awe of the car. No one had ever seen this. Has any one here?
I was expecting some pretty major damage to the rear but it appears only the bumper cover is damaged. I will need to have that replaced and anything else they discover addressed. (I'm worried about fit and paint matching - the car is only 1 year old). I spent 3.5 hours in the ER last night for a pretty good headache, CT scan of my head, tetanus shot and butterfly on my cut forehead. Lots of fun.
All things considered, my car seemingly handled the impact very well. My head lost against the b-pillar and my back is a little stiff today. If only that lady had been paying better attention. Geez!
Anyone know how to repack the headrests? Dealer says they can fix it but her insurance is not likely to pay their $100 per hour labor rate. Dealer suggested I have the body shop do it. I hope I don't get screwed in this repair job. If anyone knows what to do, please chime in. Pix attached.
05-30-2009, 04:21 PM
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Location: Originally from Koeln, Deutschland. Enjoying it in Bonita Springs, Florida Now :)
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Wow, glad you and your son are ok. 
Those head rest thingies are on my dads GL 320 CDI aswell. I saw them deployed after he got rear ended aswell. It's a pretty cool feature.
Those head rest thingies are on my dads GL 320 CDI aswell. I saw them deployed after he got rear ended aswell. It's a pretty cool feature.
I had no idea.
05-30-2009, 04:25 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi / Platinum Grey / Black leather / Step Auto / Sport / Premium / Cold weather / 18" wheels / Logic 7 / Comfort / ipod / Navigation / Fold Down Rear Seats / Rear Airbags / Sirius SAT / Spoiler / Extended Clear bra / Bluetooth. (Previously owned a 2002 sport 525I Loaded).
On order: 535xi Platnium Grey with Black interior, Step Auto, Sports package, Premium package, Cold weather package, 18" wheels, Logic 7, Comfort access, ipod adapt, Navigation, Sat radio, Rear spoiler, Extended Clear coat bra.
WOW, I've never seen that before, glad your OK. I would seek professional advice if I were you. I would be concerned with the whiplash because the symptoms usually show up later.
Good luck, Rick...
Good luck, Rick...
05-30-2009, 06:17 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Glad everyone is OK. I had no idea about those headrests. So much for the whiplash lawsuit.
05-30-2009, 08:31 PM
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My Ride: 2008 535i Monaco blue/cream beige, light poplar trim, sport, nav, premium, Logic 7, 6 speed manual
My other rides:
Departed: 2006 530xi Silver gray/black, anthracite maple trim, cold, sport, nav, premium, Logic 7, 6 speed steptronic, bluetooth, adaptive xenons
Departed...2002 525i White/beige, 5 sp manual
Originally Posted by wantmye90' post='895191' date='May 30 2009, 07:03 PM
Anyone know how to repack the headrests? Dealer says they can fix it but her insurance is not likely to pay their $100 per hour labor rate. Dealer suggested I have the body shop do it. I hope I don't get screwed in this repair job. If anyone knows what to do, please chime in. Pix attached.
It would seem to me that you are entitled to competent repair of your car by an authorized dealership.
05-30-2009, 09:01 PM
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... and a little somethin' for the hours spent in the ER with a raging headache.
Originally Posted by BMRMEUP' post='895449' date='May 30 2009, 09:31 PM
Well, that was an interesting little experience you could do without. Glad it wasn't more serious. I don't have personal experience with such a situation, but I would be consulting an attorney if the insurance co. raises any objections to fully covering the repair of your car. Then they can pay both the $100 labor rate AND your attorney. Who do they think is going to repack the headrests? Jiffy lube? It would seem to me that you are entitled to competent repair of your car by an authorized dealership.
It would seem to me that you are entitled to competent repair of your car by an authorized dealership.