Ran over a large truck tire fragment, what damage to look for?

40947 Views 48 Replies 19 Participants Last post by BodhiBenz1987, Mar 23, 2019

BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2018

2

I hit a large chunk of truck tire on the highway today, nothing I could do, the guy in front of me swerved last minute to avoid it but I had someone in either lane beside me so I had no choice but to hit it dead on. It damaged my spoiler and bottom of the grille which really stinks, I can't even pop it back into place. Going to take it to a body shop but the biggest concern I have now is potential damage under the car since I ran over it ... my guess would be it broke up or flipped when my spoiler hit it and was kind of flat for the rest of the runover because there are barely any scuffs anywhere under the car. What else should I look for? Is there any serious protection of the oil pan or anything or is it just that kind of cardboardy cover that I assume is for aerodynamics? I'm going to have an actual shop look at it Monday but I was hoping to jack it up and look myself yesterday just because it's really bothering me, plus I want to know if I can drive it to the body shop. I drove it about 8 miles home after the incident, drove fine, no lights, no leaks, or anything. Only thing out of sorts I can see underneath is the fastener in the photo ... it looks like it holds the cover panels together but it's loose and just wobbling there.

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Eddy Cruze

· #2 · Sep 16, 2018

Torn CV Boots always a possibility. If you drove it 8 miles with no problems that is always a good sign. However it should be thoroughly inspected, take it to the Dealer and have them prepare an estimate for an insurance claim if needed

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BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 16, 2018

Eddy Cruze said:
Torn CV Boots always a possibility. If you drove it 8 miles with no problems that is always a good sign. However it should be thoroughly inspected, take it to the Dealer and have them prepare an estimate for an insurance claim if needed

So I could get an estimate and then file a claim? I've been debating whether to file a claim since if it's only the bumper it may be under my deductible anyway. But I'd hate to find out it's more and then have it be too late to file. Either way I'm definitely getting it inspected ... hoping they can do it at the dealer that's right by me.

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Rivergoer

· #4 · Sep 16, 2018

FWIW, once heard this from an insurance agent...no claim as to veracity:

If you strike an object sitting in your lane, there’s no claim. If the object you struck moved into your lane from either side you’re covered.

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BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 16, 2018

Rivergoer said:
FWIW, once heard this from an insurance agent...no claim as to veracity:

If you strike an object sitting in your lane, there’s no claim. If the object you struck moved into your lane from either side you’re covered.

Well that sucks. Bigtime. There was nothing I could do to avoid it. This has been a horrible week for me and this sounds just about right. Though to be honest I don't even know if it was already there or moved into the lane, the car ahead impeded my view until it suddenly swerved.

Tomko

· #6 · Sep 16, 2018

Suggest that you choose your words carefully to avoid the risk of facing an accusation that you were following too closely or exceeding the posted maximum speed limit.

FWIW I suspect that your car is just fine. These cars are designed to take snow and ice at sub-freezing temperatures. But there’s no harm in getting it checked by someone you trust.

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DECruzer

· #7 · Sep 16, 2018

I did this exact thing and found quite a bit of damage. Hopefully you came out better. In my case, it hit the drivers side underbody panel and gouged it very heavy. Going to leave it for now. Plastic panel in front of the gas tank was ripped in half and the metal shield covering the gas tank had a big tear in it along with the tank itself. Replaced the plastic panel and used metal tape to repair the shield. Tank looked OK, so leaving that alone. Good luck and remember to do a good inspection of everything.

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BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 16, 2018

Tomko said:
Suggest that you choose your words carefully to avoid the risk of facing an accusation that you were following too closely or exceeding the posted maximum speed limit.

FWIW I suspect that your car is just fine. These cars are designed to take snow and ice at sub-freezing temperatures. But there’s no harm in getting it checked by someone you trust.

I honestly wasn't following closely or speeding ... I was probably going under the speed limit. Technically I had the distance to stop or nearly stop, but it would have caused a much bigger accident. It was heavy traffic on the interstate, cars and trucks everywhere and you can't slam on the brakes when there are cars going 60 behind you, it would have caused a pile-up. It just really frustrates me because I'm a careful driver who's obsessed with my cars and no matter how I tell it someone's going to tell me obviously I was doing something wrong ... at least as far as the insurance company goes. I just wish I had happened to be driving in the other lane. I love my car and I'd just spent the day bragging about it at the museum where I volunteer ... it was one of few really positive things I had going and this just seems like ... really? I guess I shouldn't complain, it could have been worse, and at least I have two other cars to drive while I get it taken care of. I really hope the only damage is the bumper and maybe I can afford to just do it out of pocket.

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BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 16, 2018

DECruzer said:
I did this exact thing and found quite a bit of damage. Hopefully you came out better. In my case, it hit the drivers side underbody panel and gouged it very heavy. Going to leave it for now. Plastic panel in front of the gas tank was ripped in half and the metal shield covering the gas tank had a big tear in it along with the tank itself. Replaced the plastic panel and used metal tape to repair the shield. Tank looked OK, so leaving that alone. Good luck and remember to do a good inspection of everything.

I didn't get a chance to jack it up today to really look (all my jackstands are under other cars and the Cruze is too low for ramps), but I didn't see anything that stood out. The underbody panel up front doesn't seem all that hefty though so I don't know if there was damage under it. I can't see any suspension/steering damage but there could be some I can't detect so I guess I need the alignment checked. I don't really understand where the tire went because I couldn't see any dents or much of anything farther back. Not even a single scuff in the back half of the car. A couple scuffs on the frame rails up front but the fuel and brakes lines look untouched.

Tomko

· #10 · Sep 16, 2018

You’re golden. Seriously, don’t make your crappy day worse. Your car is tougher than you think.

Now channel some of your energy into looking at Race Ramps to find ones that will work with your Cruze.

https://raceramps.com/

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snowwy66

· #11 · Sep 16, 2018

If you file a claim. Could make your rates up.

BTW. Those tire pieces are called gators.

BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 16, 2018

Tomko said:
You’re golden. Seriously, don’t make your crappy day worse. Your car is tougher than you think.

Now channel some of your energy into looking at Race Ramps to find ones that will work with your Cruze.

https://raceramps.com/

Thanks, those ramps are awesome! ... and the prices aren't that bad considering I need an extra set of ramps anyway. I'll try not to worry too much. I know I should at least wait until I have the full info on damage, insurance, etc. before I start worrying, but it's so hard ... chronic overthinker.

BodhiBenz1987

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 16, 2018

snowwy66 said:
If you file a claim. Could make your rates up.

BTW. Those tire pieces are called gators.

I thought I'd heard that term before but wasn't sure. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to hit one considering how often I see them. Though they were not usually much of a concern in my Jeep!

Eddy Cruze

· #14 · Sep 16, 2018 (Edited)

Rivergoer said:
FWIW, once heard this from an insurance agent...no claim as to veracity:

If you strike an object sitting in your lane, there’s no claim. If the object you struck moved into your lane from either side you’re covered.

Oh come on, that's silly? A Road Hazard causing damage to your insured property doesn't have to exhibit movement to be covered under your Collision or Comprehensive policy.

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snowwy66

· #15 · Sep 16, 2018

BodhiBenz1987 said:
I thought I'd heard that term before but wasn't sure. I'm surprised it's taken me this long to hit one considering how often I see them. Though they were not usually much of a concern in my Jeep!

You only have to worry about gators in the summer time. Companies that haven't realized the smarter side finances yet. Will still use recap tires. They only save a few dollars but in the end actually cost more because they blow quite often. Hot summer roads are hard on recap tires. Causing glue to fail causing an air leak to the point pressure gets low enough that the pressure heats up and blows the tire.

Gators usually aren't an issue in the winter.

This year. I bet has set a record. Can't drive on the freeway anywhere without seeing blown up rubber.

ChevyGuy

· #16 · Sep 16, 2018

Eddy Cruze said:
Oh come on, that's silly? A Road Hazard causing damage to your insured property doesn't have to exhibit movement to be covered under your Collision or Comprehensive policy.

I did a quick google and it appears a stationary object is covered as a collision. But that means your rates could go up. Apparently, you're supposed to be able to avoid stationary objects. And those cars behind you? They're supposed to maintain a following distance to allow them to react to whatever you do. If they hit you, then it's their fault.

I'm not saying that's what you should do, I'm just explaining "insurance theory" which doesn't have all that much in common with what's safest.

Bottom line. I wouldn't make a claim unless it's either quite expensive or something you can't handle yourself. If it's not much above the deductible, don't bother.

Diesel4Ever

· #17 · Sep 16, 2018

Happened to me in 2016 with my TDI.

A semi tire took out my condenser, lower spoiler, skid plate, grille and cracked the bumper while doing 85 mph on the grapevine.

I put it back together with zip-ties until it gets turned in for the Dieselgate buyback. Not worth fixing. Haven’t had A/C for over two years though.

Consider yourself lucky it could’ve been a lot worse.

Tomko

· #18 · Sep 16, 2018

snowwy66 said:
BTW. Those tire pieces are called gators.

BadBowtie

· #19 · Sep 16, 2018

"Comprehensive" should take care of it if you included it in your insurance. That's what it's for.
I hit a dead deer late one night on the interstate, it took out my brake lines, I used my emergency brake to get home and then the next day took it to the repair shop. They said it was covered under my "Comprehensive" just like a when a rock "chips" the windshield. Be sure to check for all possible damage. Good thing no one got hurt.

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Snipesy

· #20 · Sep 16, 2018

I hit a stop sign before and got that covered by insurance. Not really sure how much more stationary it gets.

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