Falling down. Or close to it

[greatbear]

I am not a happy camper today. On the way to work I was cut off my a self-important yuppie shitstain in a Honda Accord. This drove me into the curb, destroying the SSR Competition rims and two tires on my Mini. The asshole, of course, sped off. I took off after him with my car shimmying and vibrating, comping up to him stopped at a light. Getting out of the car I started beating on the side if his car and the windows with my fist trying to get him to stop. This did no good, as he sped off. I turned around, wobbled to the police station and reported the incident, all I have being a license plate number. I get to find out how my insurance company is going to fuck me over estimate for the repairs. Reasons I am really pissed and expecting getting screwed?

-The wheels are no longer produced. There are equivalents, but without the machined lip. In other words, I need four rims, at 390 bucks a pop, for a matched set that will not even look as good as my originals.

-Two tires have rather scuffed sidewalls. At least two tired need replacing at about $130 a tire.

-Who knows what is bent in the suspension.

-Estimates are based on the usual minimum needed repairs and flat rates. Any overages can be submitted by the shop doing the work for 'consideration'. Problem is, I am the 'shop' and historically, insurance companies tend to not take the word of those who do the work themselves. I can always go with the shop I work for on occasions, but even that has limits.

-Even though I have a police case number, there is no report, no witnesses (everyone who saw this take place drove off, as is ALWAYS the case), so will be treated as 'my word against some phantom driver'.

-$250 deductible.

Needless to say, I will be extremely suprised at ANY sort of positive outcome. This is yet another case of me having to pay for the actions of some scumbag.

Changes? No more Mister Nice Guy. If someone makes some stupid move and it comes down to me running off the road to avoid them or going ahead and letting them hit me, I will fight my reflex actions and let them hit me. That way I have them. If a minivan full of doe-eyed children runs a red light and the only way to avoid the collision is to run off into the trees, I take the collision. Aiming for the rear of the vehicle makes for better chances for me, but much worse for the other guy. I will also carry a heavy metal rod or pipe to use as a nice equalizer in situations like today. Pounding sheetmetal with my fist leaves fairly easy-to-remove dents, if that. Beating the same sheetmetal with a pipe leaves a far more lasting impression. Plus, I can throw it at a car speeding off faster than I can run after them. I wont get into what I am thinking of doing in person-to-person situations.

Yep, it's on now. On like a Mormon's v-chip.

Comments

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

That totally sucks.

Something similar happened to me in my Accord. Some bitch in a minivan was drifting into my lane, and didn't stop even though I was on the horn like it was going out of style.. She literally ran me off the road. OZ wheels… dead. Toyo Proxes… dead. I didn't get a license.

You probably "know someone" at a shop. You could get them to write up an estimate.

As for damage... think heavy chain. Paint is expensive =) I have one on my bike, and I am not afraid to use it. Also, if you don't feel like putting your fist into glass, there is a great little tool, about the size of a ball-point pen. It's designed to shatter safety glass using little force. EMTs and firefighters use them all the time, and they're readily available. If you use that, you'll make the driver piss themselves.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

I nearly had that kind of encounter once - some dim bimbo in a land barge on the freeway, no signal of any kind - just started moving into my lane right where I was, and kept coming despite the fact I laid on the horn - and then the brakes! - and the fucking bitch WAVED AT ME!!

I'm liking the idea of a dart gun that sticks a flag to someone's car with a flag that says "STUPID!" on it. The adhesive does no damage to the paint - but only the police have the debonder, and when someone accrues enough STUPID points - they have to take the driver's exam over again or lose their license.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

And confiscate their friggin' cell phone!

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this had to happen to you.

Deuche bag drivers are everywhere and a lot of them think they own the damn road. Lore knows I've felt the same way with some of them and don't let get off on bicycle messengers. I had one do road rage on me once.

It might not be so bad.

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

.
In my 04 Cooper I didn't do too bad when a pothole (think sinkhole) opened up on Mission street and bottomed me out, ripped off some engine bolt and destroyed my two right wheels. My wheels were aftermarket, expensive and discontinued, so the Ins company paid for 4 tires (so they'd match), 4 wheels and would have paid for the engine mount bolt except when I took it in MINI paid for it as a warranty repair??? I didn't argue, but nearly fell down when they said that. Total cost, $500, my collision deductible, they even gave me a rental for the 8 days I was without.

I'm all for having a crowbar sitting between the door and the seat for easy access when needed in traffic.

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Look on the bright side - with that kind of driving, maybe the shitstain will go head-on into a bridge abutment and become a Darwin Award statistic.

[cpj.livejournal.com]

You would have made more damage to the Accord if you always carry around a lead pipe.

Keep that in mind for the future.

But having the guy's license plate is a good thing. And him leaving the scene of an accident is a BAD thing.

[sfmini.livejournal.com]

Having a license plate is useless without eye witnesses or paint samples on your fender. That's why it's always better to let them hit you.

[redcub.livejournal.com]

I'm just glad you're ok and didn't get fucking HURT when you curbed up. Also consider carrying a cheap camera, maybe one of those disposable digitals they have now. Take pictures of your car, the area around the scene, the people who stop to gawk (no witnesses? Oh I think different!) and of course if you can get the offending vehicle, all the better - though the picture may not look as good with your lead pipe sticking out of their window...

your milage may vary.

Still, glad you're ok.

[otterdaemmerung.livejournal.com]

Other guys have already commented better on your accident, but:

Yep, it's on now. On like a Mormon's v-chip.

ZOMGLOL! Best line EVAR... I might have to cop that line, substituting Baptist for this part of the country.

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

I don't know what to tell you to avoid, well, road rage. Some bimbo in an SUV flew past me on the shoulder of the road (it was upper Castro, so there wasn't much room), with wet pavement and then tried to yank her worthless blonde ass into my bike. I hit the gas and caught up to her at the next light. When I first knocked on the window, she reached over and turned up her radio. I really tried to break the glass after than and finally gave up and slugged the vehicle itself. I was amazed at how much it caved in, and not a clean inward buckle either. Creatures like that have no sense of anything but themselves and where to find the expensive lawyers. I find soccer moms to be absolutely the worst. After another female unit took me out on the interstate wrecked my bike and nearly killed me (then lied about it) I decided that using a motor vehicle is just not worth the stress so I drive as little as possible. I've also worked hard at learning how to safely release anger, it just isn't a good thing to have.

I'm sure you realize that part of your anger may very well have come from other recent events, so you may want to relax, and let some people close to you hold you for a while.

Hugs.

[devcubber.livejournal.com]

yuk. about 5 years ago some dumbass country fuck slammed his gigantic conversion van into the back of my VW beetle, with my small child in back, while I was staticly waiting to turn left into my street to go home. He was going 50. The speed limit is 40, and I had my blinker on. He slowed down, motioned for me to roll down my window, then asked me if I was okay. As I was telling him no and how many ways I was going to financially destroy him, he drove off. I had one witness, and thankfully she saw and swore to everything.
My beetle was gone for a month for repairs and still: If I ever see that guy again, he will wish that he was born without, because I am going to remove his testicles with my hands and teeth.

I am so glad you weren't hurt, yet so sorry you didn't hurt the other driver. I drive 50+ miles each day, round trip, to work and back, and deal with all kinds of idiots behind the wheels. I now call the highway patrol to 'report' on these fuckwads - and even if I'm not being heard by the police, I still feel better sometimes doing it.

*off to buy a big lead pipe*

[cutepacub.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you weren't hurt!!! I get yelled at for my aggressive behavior when driving, but ya have to be aggressive, or get killed. And I'm not nice any more. I really hope things work out ok for you.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

err you're alive?

Slugging out with other drivers is not going to help anyone, and will get you killed or in the case of my partner's wife's kid (long story) nearly an extended stay in jail due to an ABH charge (which he ended up doign for something else, actually).

My response? Not helpful for the States, but stop driving. Wheels just bring out the evil in people.

[kymutt.livejournal.com]

Sorry about what happened, bud. I would think that the policy would be able to track this buffoon down with the license plate number. I'm pretty sure they can do it here, and trust me, if we can, I know they can. In the meanwhile, try not to kill the guy should your paths cross again.

[le-lapin.livejournal.com]

[rockybear02.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about this Phil - Actually Carmen told me after he talked to Jeff...

Between Carmen and I - we drive 200 miles a day round trip (Me 60 Him 120) so we see our share if idiots too. Just glad you're OK.