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Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 12:57 am: | 
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Damn.
Had left work, 30-min later I was taking the off-ramp onto Stone Drive, to meet the wife at Wally-world.... Waited for an opening in the traffic, pulled out and accelerated to speed.
A lady in a S-10 was in a turn-lane at the next light 50 yards away, thought that she could beat the traffic across, right in front of me.
Kinda odd, that it was one of those slow-motion moments, but also happened too quick to really do much about it.... I braked hard, but the ABS was keeping it from locking up so it wasn't slowing as quick as I wanted. If I swerved right I'd be infront of her getting hit, if I swerved left a little I'd have broad-sided here, if I swerved hard left I'd have ran into the traffic in the adjacent lane.... so, I had to aim it straight on. But, I don't know that it was so much that I aimed as it was that that was where it was going to hit regardless....
Wasn't too bad, considering. She hopped out and ran over before I could even get out myself.... airbags didn't go off, car was still sitting there running, she said she was fine, I was fine, so we agreed to get the cars out of the intersection. A good thing that we both were uninjured.
Turned on the cell-phone and called 911, an officer was there w/in a few minutes.
Her passenger door on the S-10 was dented in a good bit... it might still open, but not easily. The big problem with it was that the front tire on that side was askew.
What surprised me, though, was the Roo... the front bumper was scuffed a bit, and a short vertical crease was on the front lip of the hood, but other than that it seems fine. Radiator was intact, no damage to any lights or the fenders or tires or wheels, etc. etc.
She very plainly told the officer that she thought that she could get across in front of me. She was extremely nice and apologetic, and we had a polite chat while waiting on the officer to finish the paperwork for her ticket. Get to pick up an accident report on Monday.... whee....
The thing that I'm apprehensive about is getting into the insurance-thing again, after how it went with Laura's Roo back over this past summer. I *think* that it'll just be a new hood and bumper and check the alignment, etc., but it drove as smooth as ever on the way home.
Sigh.....
Have to admit, I kinda wish I had been in a Disco instead, don't think that I would have had any damage then. 
-L |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 01:04 am: |
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Hey Leslie. I'm kinda confused...what were you driving?? |
GregH
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 01:22 am: |
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Yeah, was this a Subaru? WRX? |
Tom V (Cozmo)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 05:41 am: |
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WOW, you moved the cars out of way and the police were there in a few minutes. Down here when there is an accident people leave their cars right were they are until the police get there, you know so they can see what happened, and typically it takes about an hour for the police to show up. Ya got ta love this town. |
David Gage (Davidg)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 07:15 am: |
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Leslie, glad nobody was hurt. Hmmm, You never had a bang up in the Discos but both roos (in 1 year)been hit....Makes ya wonder
Come by when ya can
David |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 08:22 am: |
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Yep, it was the Subaru.... I suppose you could call it the non-turbo WRX, or a WRX-lite.... it's a 2.5RS sedan, essentially identical to the WRX except it has the non-turbo 2.5L engine instead of the 2.0 turbo.
David, I'm wondering the same thing, actually.... sheesh!
I think that maybe, if people see the Disco, mentally they say to themselves "Oh no, I can't afford to hit a Land Rover!" whereas the Subarus are "invisible", just park of the visual background....
Tom,
Here, it's the law that if there aren't injuries, that you have to get the vehicles off of the road. It's a smaller town, ~40k people, so even if he was on the other side of town it'd only take 15 minutes to get there... as it was, it happened on the main drag through town, and was only 2 minutes from the police station in downtown anyway, if he wasn't out on patrol....
Drove it to work today.... couldn't tell that a thing was wrong with it by the way it drove... steering is still spot on, no wobbles or vibrations. The hood opens and closes, the latch system is intact.
Looking at it again, as far as I can tell, it's pretty much just the bumper and the front edge of the hood that took the brunt of it. Also, when I popped the hood and looked, there is a light brace running across the front, just in front of the radiator, to which the grill is bolted: where one of the bolts is, the crossmember is very slightly bowed.
Of course, maybe the crush-cans are partially crushed, I couldn't tell... the insurance shop will have to pull the bumper off to look at everything inside. But, I don't expect it to be too bad, given that you would expect the steering and the feel to be at least slightly affected if there was a problem....
Anyway, wish me luck when I call insurance today!
-L
PS: David: tonight Laura and I will be at a Christmas party, so, it'll probably be tomorrow before I get by..... c-ya then.... |
mantaray (Mantaray)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 08:25 am: |
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Leslie, i'd get the car checked for structural damage, etc. you may not be able to see it, but it could be there. if it was her fault, why would you be apprehensive about an insurance claim? her insurance should take care of it if you don't want to deal with your company. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 08:44 am: |
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Exactly, it's what can't be seen that's always going to be an underlying concern.
Why am I apprehensive? I suppose you don't recall the saga about the wife's Roo back over the summer....
I hated the POS Aspire that my wife had, and although I loved my Disco, the payment for it was almost enough for two new smaller cars, so, at the end of April we traded the two and we each got a new Subaru Impreza.... I got the 2.5RS, and she got an Outback Sport.
In the middle of June, she was sitting in traffic on the interstate that had stopped because of a wreck that had happened ahead, and a pickup running up the road didn't notice that traffic had stopped and rear-ened the car behind her at full speed.... The fella was at fault, and his insurance company claimed full responsibility. But, it took a week or two of me staying on the phone most of the day while at work to figure out all of the ins-n-outs of how the company was going to deal with it. The damage estimate on hers was $10k, which wasn't a high-enough percentage for totalling it, so the company was going to fix it. Well, it was a month later, they called and said that they couldn't get parts for a few more months, they couldn't afford to rent us a car 'til then, so they went ahead and totalled it. They paid it off, but left us with nothing for a down-payment, and were assholes to deal with. Correction, at first, the people we dealt with were great, it was just when the adjuster called to total out the vehicle, she was a bitch to the Nth degree, stressed my wife out VERY bad, was manipulative, belittling.... if I could have afforded otherwise, I would have offered to have them not pay it off in exchange for firing her.
So, I don't trust other people's insurance companies anymore. But, being Christmas, I don't have the extra cash to just pay my own deductible and let my company deal with it. If this person had the same insurance company as the other fella had, I would cough it up, though.... maybe this company won't be as bad, I can hope.
-L |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 09:17 am: |
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Glad you weren't hurt Leslie!
I'm going through all that insurance stuff right now. I'm still having some major pain from my accident, and the man at fault's insurance company offered for me to setttle yesterday. I'm not doing a dang thing until I get checked out again and possibly have an MRI, (Hey-I'm a neurologist's daughter...he picked the wrong gal to hit!!). At 23, taking 1200 mg Ibuprofen everyday and having shooting pain run down my back and arms isn't a good thing! But so far, they have been very nice to deal with....we shall see.
Granted, I didn't have to deal with all the car and damage estimates b/c it was a rental that I crashed. Although I'm sorry about your Roo....I'm glad it wasn't the Disco...and I was glad my Disco wasn't hurt either!!
Good luck! |
Eric N (Grnrvr)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 09:27 am: |
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Les, glad that every one came out of it OK. But, remind me not to get in a car with you.. How many accidents is this so far this year? 2 or 3? You guys painting targets on your cars or something?? What town do you live in again? I don't want to drive around there either. |
Greg Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 09:36 am: |
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When I first saw the topic, I thought "Who the hell has an S-10 in Australia?" Anyway, now it's clear and I'm glad that you're OK. But I'm with Eric, if we go anywhere, I'll drive! |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 09:47 am: |
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Here's a pic of the rental I smashed...Too bad it doesn't look HALF as bad as it felt!
 |
KJ
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:04 am: |
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Uh, Sus, that looks bad enough to me!
Do NOT settle with Mr. At Fault's insurance company for a while. You have to know how much long-term damage/therapy you might be facing. It's their job to get as quick a settlement as possible. It's yours to look out for Number 1. Don't forget who works for who.
Karen |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:14 am: |
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Thanks Karen! I'll follow your advice!
How are those horses doing in the snow?! Packed little hooves? |
KJ
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:19 am: |
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So far, so good. We didn't turn out until Sunday because we felt we needed to wait for a bit of a melt to be safe. We are really in a persistant pattern of precip. Rain, snow, it's just dawmp as a swamp out there.
Karen |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:24 am: |
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My back yard is about like that too! Have you ever seen an Australian Shepherd with cabin fever?! Well, my dog was CRAZY sliding around in the ice!
Have fun and give them each a kiss on the nose for me! If I don't fix my back soon I'm afraid I won't be riding anytime soon! |
Sus (Susannah)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 11:35 am: |
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andy
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 12:12 pm: |
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Funny my wife and I got rid of our Jetta this year because in two years it was hit 3 times in the rear, two times in the front, once on the side. None our fault, all minor fender benders, but I know the bodyshop people by first name. We got rid of it because we thought it was cursed. We aren't superstitious, but it makes you wonder after a while. We got it fixed each time and insurene paid, but I really grew to dislike dealing with insurance. |
Max Thomason (Lrmax)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 01:06 pm: |
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Leslie, I thought I was gonna have to pick up an accident report. Instead all of these lawyer offices mailed me a bunch of stuff and there was a copy of the accident report! So, I would suggest that before you go down, waste your times, etc. Let one of these Law Firms send you their crap and a copy of the accident report.
BTW, watch out for the ones in spanish .
Max T.
Me 'habla espanol' no! |
Hank Bivins
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 02:06 pm: |
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Don't move your truck after an accident. I am living proof. I used to be one of those who got pissed when somebody wouldn't move thier car out of the road after an accident. (Until I was found at fault by an officer when my Disco was hit from behind). Yes you heard right, I was hit in the driver's side rear from behind and was blamed for the accident. It was one of those he said she said, and the other driver claimed that I pulled out in front and slammed on my brakes which was a blantant lie, but it was enough to convince the rookie officer. I cried foul, and told my ins. company if I had to sue myself, I was not going to let this one slide. It eventually went to arbitration. I was found 50% at fault.
Don't move it, let the cops tell you to and find witnesses to stick around and vouch for you. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 02:07 pm: |
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lol, Yeah, Max, but you live in Charlotte... not BFE KPT....
Hey now guys, "I" wasn't involved in the other accident, it was the wife getting rear-ended last time, not me. This is the first accident I've been involved in, oh, 12 years? One for her, one for me. Neither of us at fault. Hers was in Abingdon, VA, mine was in Kingsport TN.
It is kinda wierd that it's just in the Roo's, and not in the Rovers though..... Hmmm..... might be a good excuse to use with the wife to let me get another Rover, too..... lol...... nah, can't afford another Rover, not at this rate, lol....
Sheesh, why can't I have a nice quiet holiday, eh?
-L |
Max Thomason (Lrmax)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 03:39 pm: |
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Hank, my dad had a woman pull out in front of him while he was going 45 mph. He t-boned the piss out of her van. The rookie cop said it was his fault and that the cop was going to give him a ticket.
Well, since my dad had the right of way he continued to say it wasn't his fault. Then he said the magical words, "I want to talk to your supervisor". The boss man came out, took one look at the situation and declared to other driver at fault.
Another great thing to have is a witness.
FWIW...
Max T.
I hope I never bend metal (or plastic) on a rover again.... |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 03:45 pm: |
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Well, when the lady stepped up to the officer and said "I thought I could get across before he got to the intersection", it was pretty much wrapped up.
Insurance has already established the claim, talked to both of us, verified that they're going to cover it, and have already arranged with the Subaru dealer in town to examine it Monday afternoon.
So, we'll see how it goes after that....
-L |
Peter Carey (Pcarey)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 05:41 pm: |
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I find it a bit sad that Leslie's is one of the few cases I've heard of where the person who did wrong actually admited it. I'd feel bad if I were a cop and someone admited doing wrong in an accident, but that's just me.
Hank, how would having the cars in place have helped in your situation?
pwc |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 05:48 pm: |
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First off I'm glad you escaped with no injuries Leslie.
Now, there has been a lot of talk here about moving cars or not moving cars after an accident. Let me just say that you should check the laws where you live, I know for a fact that in Arkansas and Louisiana it is the law that if the car is drivable enough that it can be moved out of the roadway you have to do it, and I know that they have gotten pretty generous lately in Louisiana when it comes to handing out tickets for this offense. It's up to you whether or not you move the car, but it sure would suck to get a ticket for something else even if you aren't at fault in the accident. |
Max Thomason (Lrmax)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 07:06 pm: |
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I concour with Carter, my insurance said that if its a minor fender bender, move the cars off the road. In my accident, it happened on a 2 lane road so that would have messed everything up. Also the guy took full resonsibility so I didn't feel bad about moving it.
In the case of Mrs. Bright, I don't think the Subaru could have moved  .
Update on my rear end: the guys Impala received 2200 bucks worth of damage. That was an estimate at the brand X body shop. So, LRs seem to be better in the accident department.
Max T.
Impailed by the Impala |
Tom V (Cozmo)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 08:42 pm: |
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Carter
Its the law in Louisiana like you say. There have even been articles in the paper about it yet day after day usually during rush hour, traffic backs up as the result of a minor fender bender, both cars left in the road hazzards on blocking traffic and I would bet dollars to doughnuts no tickets are written for not moving vehicles out of the way. Personally I move, I wouldn't want to get hit again while waiting for the police to get there and yes I've seen that happen. Just life in the big city |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 10:19 pm: |
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Just speaking from experience Tom, I was involved in an accident and moved my truck, one of the other people involved refused and got a ticket. I also know someone who got one because they left the car in the road with nothing but a bent bumper and broken headlight. This is in Baton Rouge by the way, according to the news and newspaper they were starting to crack down on it. This was about a year ago (the news reports and my friend's ticket, my accident was 3 years prior), maybe it isn't the same everywhere or maybe it has degenerated over time.
IMHO if it's the law it isn't worth it to leave it sitting in the street, and like you said there is a safety factor involved as well. If you ask me any cop dumb enough to find me at fault when my car is sitting off the street with damage to the rear is going to be dumb enough to still find me at fault when the vehicles are still in the street with the other one behind me and the rear damaged. |
Jeff Light (Mongo)
| | Posted on Friday, December 13, 2002 - 10:45 pm: |
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Leslie,
Sorry to here bout the wreck glad you're ok and I'll hope to see you soon |
Hank Bivins
| | Posted on Saturday, December 14, 2002 - 01:46 pm: |
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You guys do what you want, but I moved mine and got the shaft. Scenario was this: I was in the slow lane. I changed lanes into the fast lane, the traffic in front of me slowed down and the guy behind me hit my driver's side rear. But his claim was that I pulled in front of him and the reason he hit my driver's side rear is that I was in the middle of changing lanes and slammed on my brakes. But in reality I was already in the lane a good 5-10 seconds before I even touched the brake. The reason he hit my driver's side rear is that he swerved into the middle changing lane. If I would have left it, it would have been a no-brainer for the cop. I was in the middle of the fast lane, and he was in the turning lane, then we both put our vehicles in the turning lane. The cop told me straight up, I have to decide one way or the other, and I believe him. |
Tom V (Cozmo)
| | Posted on Saturday, December 14, 2002 - 08:12 pm: |
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Carter
I believe you, I'm just tellin you what I see on a regular basis down here. The NOPD and the JPSO don't seem to be handing out those tickets. So if you wander past B.R. and get stuck in traffic theres a good chance its a minor fender bender waiting for the police to show.
Tom
PS If you do wander past B.R. and see a white series II without any mods yet wave its me |
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