missing part PLEASE HELP!!!!

[ZX2girl]

I purchased this car on 9/11/04. On 10/23/04 I was involved in an auto accident which a substantial amount of damage was done. After taking it to several body shops it was discovered that the reinforcement bar to the front bumper was missing. According to all the body shops I talked to they said all cars are supposed to have them. This reinforcement bar is to help absorb a collision. That is a safety hazard and put me and my passengers at serious risk. Especially if I had been say on the highway doing 60mph and had an accident I could have been seriously injured or even worse case scenario died because the dealership I purchased it from failed to check and see if that part was there. All I had protecting the front end was just the plastic front bumper cover and that is it.

I contacted the dealership regarding this matter and they said I purchased the car “as is” and there is nothing they can do for me. I explained to the dealership since there had been some modifications done such as body kits why they didn’t bother to check to see if that reinforcement bar was attached to the car. They said to contact an attorney and hung up on me.

I live in Washington State. The lemon laws here are designed for new cars only. There should be however some type of law for selling a car that is missing such a vital safety part. What type of recourse can I take??? I have already filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office for Washington State.