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The Kitchen Table

Just had a car accident -Grrrr....

11 years ago

I drove my car to the local diner for my customary coffee this morning. As I was backing out of my parking space, I saw a car behind me. So I pulled forward instead of continuing back. I ran smack into a "Snowbank Iceberg", heard horrible crunching. By the time I did back up, the other car was gone. Went home and there are two big dents in my front bumper. I was shook up, not injured, obviously. Drove to my local mechanic, who says he can get a new bumper and fix the broken headlight for about $2000. Grr...I'm so mad. I should have just waited for the car to pass. And I'm still mad about that stupid snowstorm we had three weeks ago that dumped two and a half feet of snow. It's thawed and re-melted so much anything that's left is now ice. At least I'm okay and cars can be fixed.

Comments (13)

LuAnn_in_PA
11 years ago
Glad you are okay....
wanda_va
11 years ago
I know how upsetting that is, but it could have been so much worse. At least you were not hurt. Hugs!
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You didn't say if there was any damage to her car as well. Based on your account, and IMHO you are both responsible for the accident. you left it in gear and she should've checked or gotten into the car before releasing the E-brake. Christopherh: depending on where they are located and what their deductibles are, going through the insurance company may be more expensive then just paying out of pocket. Everyone is lucky no one was injured. Maybe you should cash the check for $100 because I don't think you're going to get much more out of these folks.
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Your damage is "2000-3000" and her's is "minimal" ? I'm not so sure about that. I was rear ended years ago (my only accident). At the scene, the driver insisted that the damage was minimal, until I saw the SIDE of the trunk where it was creased from the impact. Where I was (New York), drivers are required to report the accident, if the damage exceeds a certain monetary value, regardless of who pays for it. So don't expect the accident to remain a secret.
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Sorry to hear about your accident Linda. Absolutely you have a right. You are entitled to compensation for ALL of your inconveniences. Document everything. Write down all the hours you are spending not only driving back and forth, but making calls to the insurance companies, calling for estimates, etc. I work for myself and when I was in a similar accident last year, the insurance company paid me for EVERY hour I lost away from work, every penny I spent (including gas), etc. Take a look at the Nolo site. They have a lot of very clear advice on how to handle a vehicle accident. Also, even if you were not bruised and banged up, please consider going to a medical practitioner if you are showing any signs of soreness, loss of sleep, etc. Ann Here is a link that might be useful: NOLO: Take notes after an accident or injury
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Comments (5)
That reminds me of the time when we were young; we had borrowed a friend's dad's truck to help another friend move house. A cabinet slipped and crushed DH's finger against a tree so we had to go to the emergency room (pretty exciting for me as it was a manual and I couldn't readjust the seat so my legs could comfortably reach the clutch, so I was driving half lying down :-) ) and it looked like we were going to be there a long time. I called the friend's dad to let him know we'd be late returning his truck and said,"Sorry, we've had an accident...........no, not the truck! the truck's fine! It was DH's finger!" Glad your DD's OK. Those calls aren't good. Our DD hadn't been driving long when a woman pulled out of a side street without looking and totalled DD's car. We got one of those calls- and we live a little over an hour away. I suspect DH got there much faster..... (DD was fine)
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donna_loomis
11 years ago
Thankful you weren't hurt. Sorry about the damage.
susanjf_gw
11 years ago
being attacked by an snowbank isn't right at all! glad you're ok and not hurt...it's like parking in your own yard and having a tree fall on your car (happen to me..)

is your mechanic going to be able to get parts and stuff right away? i bet they're seeing a LOT of accidents like this...
ellendi
11 years ago
The main thing is that you are OK. I can't tell you how many "accidents" I have had in my driveway. Things happen when we get distracted.
Your intention was to back out and when that got overrated your mind just didn't shift into what would happen if you moved up.
alisande
11 years ago
An expensive move, and I can understand why you're not happy about it. But we're happy you're okay.
jannie
Original Author
11 years ago
The snowbank was low,I couldn't see it. Just heard that awful noise when you hit something solid. At first I thought it was an upturned shopping cart. My mechanic is sure he can get "after-market" (junk car) parts, but it may take a couple of weeks. In the meantime it's completely driveable. Even the headlights still work! And I am okay, the main thing. My Dad always said "It's a good accident if you can walk away afterwards." And I can walk fine.
jewels_ks
11 years ago
On Sunday my daughter drove my van to church and she was trying to pull into a parking spot and got too close to another car. She put a big dent in my van and my passenger door won't open. The other car is scraped and the lady was very nice,,,,,my 16 yr was a crying mess.
jannie
Original Author
11 years ago
I remember being 16, just got my drivers license and my parents let me take the car, alone. Actually, I drove my younger brother to the library. As I pulled up in the parking spot right by the front of the library, I went too far forward and hit the brick building. Didn't leave a mark, I never told my parents, and my brother kept quiet, but I cried when it happened.
marie_ndcal
11 years ago
Glad you are not hurt, am waiting and very upset and MAD at myself for not removing the gas hose before trying to leave the station. Waiting for that news as it did damage the pump. Local and pumps are old and not set very good. Will see what he wants me to pay for.
glenda_al
11 years ago
Bummer!
joyfulguy
11 years ago
Hi jannie,

Sorry to hear of your wallet-thinning misfortune!

And glad that your body is O.K., if the psyche some dented.

Not making a suggestion to you ...

... but were it my car ...

... I'd probably fix the light now.

And leave the dented front bumper till later.

Good wishes for better days ahead.

ole joyful
jannie
Original Author
11 years ago
OJ - I considered driving it around "as is" but I want to get it fixed before DH finds out! He thinks I'm a terrible driver .

This post was edited by jannie on Thu, Feb 28, 13 at 19:40

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