• candybrie@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Totaled just means repairs will cost as much as the car is worth. If the frame is bent, that would probably do it.

      • desktop_user@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        2 months ago

        it still looks drivable, how can something that runs, stops, and doesn’t leak fluids too badly be totaled? Nobody should care how a truck looks, replace the front bumper with some plastic tubs zip-tied on and replace the radiator if it leaks. the only real issue I could see is if the steering is messed up.

        • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          At this point, many companies consider any car with a deployed air bag totaled. There’s a lot of stuff that crumples and isn’t obvious.

        • Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          Cars these days are essentially one-time use when it comes to collisions. They’re exceptionally good at protecting the occupants, but can only be kind of guaranteed to do so once. Like a helmet!

          • verity_kindle@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Newer cars that have unibodies can look relatively fine and be all smashed like a soda can on the inside. The metal crumples to redirect the force away and protect the delicate meatbag in safe zones. Your knees and elbows and head might whip around like a mofo. Be glad the airbag didn’t activate, because it might break your nose. The unibody CAN save your meat by itself. Source: personal walk away from a approx. 50 mph front and rear impact and the plastic and glass didn’t look that bad. No airbags, no problem. Thanks, unibody design!