Totally random thread

[ousdahl]

2 auto collisions in 2 days, what were the odds

[RainbowsandUnicorns]

2 auto collisions in 2 days, what were the odds

You? If so, sorry to hear/read it but obviously you're ok.

More than can be said for these two idiots.

[ousdahl]

On Sunday, my buddy and I are meeting friends for lunch, sitting at a stoplight waiting to go green, when we get rear ended by a big SUV towing an even bigger camper. Yall driving was at least nice, apologetic, and admitted fault, otherwise offering "I just didn't know that towing a giant ass camper would mean it takes longer to stop."

Then yesterday, I'm by myself in my truck, sitting at a stop light waiting to go, literally reliving the wreck and feeling all paranoid about it, when the EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. My rear end gets smashed, even harder this time.

But this time, rather than be nice and apologetic, yall get out with an attitude. "I THOUGHT YALL WAS GONNA MOVE OUT FROM IN FRONT OF ME!" No ma'am, I can't move til I get the light. She's all standoffish, insists my crunched bumper and busted light is "hardly any damage at all," insists the fact she doesn't have a current valid insurance card is NBD, and generally acts like I'm being soo rude by telling her to not just drive away like she keeps wanting to do.

but yea, thankfully, no one was hurt. I had a minor headache after the first one that became a major headache after the second one, but I think it's less whiplash and more just a reaction to the bullshit.

for real though, what were the odds?

[jhawks99]

Glad you're ok. Hopefully, she pays up.

[ousdahl]

thanks.

it turns out she really did have insurance, she just had an expired card.

After her expired card and general attitude tho, I decided to get the cops involved. The officer who responds is a straight up small town good ol boy. He says he'll give her the lowest citation he can to make sure she accounts for herself, but if she makes me whole again before the court date, then he'll make the citation go away, cuz he identifies himself as also being the judge of the local traffic court.

There's only one collision repair in my neck of the woods, and a they can't even get me an estimate til December 8, tho. Is it like that everywhere, or is that just more small town quirks?

I might go down to Denver in the meantime to try and get an estimate sooner, but now I gotta worry about getting pulled over again for a busted tail light, go figure.

and, holy shit, I am paranoid now. It might be a while before I can be in a car without constant fear of being rear ended by yall again.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Physical injury and emotional distress. Surprised the whore lawyers aren't already blowing your phone up.

[ousdahl]

oh - and at the risk of certain posters loosing their minds, if I may ask...

is it wise or necessary to get the cops involved for every little collision? Can you still make an insurance claim? I think you can, but the claim might be harder to prove/prone to dispute without a police report identifying fault, right?

[ousdahl]

Physical injury and emotional distress. Surprised the whore lawyers aren't already blowing your phone up.

I mean, if in your professional opinion you think there's a case, my DMs are open...

[CrimsonNBlue]

I don't give legal advice over the internet, but I've defended against smaller claimed injuries.

[ousdahl]

yea.

Guess I just don't know how litigious I'm feeling.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Just speaking in general terms, the vast majority of people have woefully inadequate personal auto insurance coverage.

I tell everyone I know to up their uninsured/underinsured coverage.

[jhawks99]

oh - and at the risk of certain posters loosing their minds, if I may ask...

is it wise or necessary to get the cops involved for every little collision? Can you still make an insurance claim? I think you can, but the claim might be harder to prove/prone to dispute without a police report identifying fault, right?

I've only been in a few wrecks, cops were always involved.

[TDub]

thanks.

it turns out she really did have insurance, she just had an expired card.

After her expired card and general attitude tho, I decided to get the cops involved. The officer who responds is a straight up small town good ol boy. He says he'll give her the lowest citation he can to make sure she accounts for herself, but if she makes me whole again before the court date, then he'll make the citation go away, cuz he identifies himself as also being the judge of the local traffic court.

There's only one collision repair in my neck of the woods, and a they can't even get me an estimate til December 8, tho. Is it like that everywhere, or is that just more small town quirks?

I might go down to Denver in the meantime to try and get an estimate sooner, but now I gotta worry about getting pulled over again for a busted tail light, go figure.

and, holy shit, I am paranoid now. It might be a while before I can be in a car without constant fear of being rear ended by yall again.

I got hit in June....on a one way, he admitted full fault.

I cant get into a shop until Dec. 5th. So I'd say 2 weeks for yours is fantastic.


Also, if you anticipate damages of more than $2,500 then the insurances will want a police report.

In Oregon, collisions with more than 2,500 in damages are also required to be filed with the DMV and they require the police report. Anything less than that cops aren't necessary.

[ousdahl]

right on.

until we get that proper estimate, we can't confirm the exact cost of damages.

A police report is available if needed either way.

I suppose I'm doing my due diligence then, by making an appointment to get a repair estimate the day it happened.

It kinda blows my mind that it takes so long just for an ESTIMATE. Like it's one thing if the repairs themselves take time, but it's also kinda hard to believe a shop doesn't have a single dood who can take 45 seconds to come outside and just look at it like "yea, looks like you need a new bumper and taillight, which with parts and labor we can estimate to be around this much..."

[TDub]

essentially any body damage is going to be over 2500 these days. Assuming it can't be popped out and needs an actual replacement. Bumpers don't pop back out...ever. so you're gonna be over the threshold.

My tailgate is fucked up...used to be a throwaway part you could find anywhere. The cheapest I can find one, even at a salvage yard is $750.....$750!. so fuck it.....the tailgate remains fucked. This was unrelated to the collision....this was created by me being a dumbass and unloading a big ass safe by myself (ironically I qas successful until I stopped and decided to add straps to it and cinch it down as it was precariously balanced on the tip of the tractor bucket...
..the it tipped backwards and damn near took my hand off.... I shouldve just kept going.)

[CrimsonNBlue]

Other person's insurer might want their own adjuster, anyway.

And if you were rear-ended two days in a row, just wait, each person's insurer will say its the fault of the other. Photos are helpful. Police presence will vary by jurisdiction and where the accident occurred. Police reports are so bad, too.

[CrimsonNBlue]

essentially any body damage is going to be over 2500 these days.

Minimum property damage coverage in some states is like $10-15k. It's an absolute joke when so many vehicles have resale value north of $50k.

[ousdahl]

though I was rear-ended two days in a row, I was a passenger in someone else's vehicle the first day, and didn't provide any info to anyone then, so don't think more will become of that one.

Here's a question: is it wise/what are the pros and cons for me if I get my insurance involved? Sooner than later? Or is it OK to just wait for the estimate and let the offending driver pay out of pocket instead?

[TDub]

get the insurance involved immediately.

if they choose to pay out of pocket...fine, thats between them and their insurance.

[TDub]

it says right on your insurance card to contact them immediately following an incident......theres a reason for that.

additionally your body sho is going to want to know if its insurance or personal. Some have different rates they have worked out woth various insurers.