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Falling down. Or close to it
Oct. 2nd, 2006 11:06 pmI 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.
-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.
