Hit and Run--the Continuing Saga
 

I mentioned earlier that I really didn't think I could take one more thing breaking. Then my furnace "broke."

So I added that to the list.

This morning as I was almost to work, I was driving in the far right lane in front of campus (three lanes each way) and next to the parking lane, where the parking meters are. A lot of people use this area for drop-offs. I drove by, and a dropper offer hits his big old camaro gas pedal and plowed right into rear section of my car, causing extensive damage to the wheel well, the place where there would be door if there were a back door, and the bumper and lights.

He took off, flying around me...I'm squinting to see the license plate but all I got were the first three letters. An employee in maintenance witnessed it and came over, along with some concerned students. None of them got the plate number. However, a few minutes later like 3 separate cars came pulling around waving pieces of paper out their window, showing me they got the plate. How nice was that?

The cop said the plate does indeed match a maroon camaro (this was a newer model one too) and is in a nearby sort of suburb. Odds are they'll get him, but I don't know what good it will do me if he's uninsured which I'm guessing he is. Or doesn't have a license. Or both.

I have a 1000 deductible. I had just raised it as I tried to lower my premiums a bit. Lightning never strikes twice on a girl who is just trying to find her way into work, right? Wrong. First brand new car: totalled after 2 weeks. Replaced with Daisy Head Maisie (or Daisy Mae for short). Daisy should survive, but you never know about frames and stuff.

I'm concentrating on deep breaths and coffee.

Surely, this is the moment when my lifetime bad luck turns the corner, right?

That sucks, but it's awesome that so many witnesses came forward. People are good.

The cops will get him, and he can be forced to pay. Even if it means him selling his car to do it.

Yeah, I wonder how it will all play out. I would like for this time to NOT lose my ass on the deal.

Not my fault, but my hassle. :(

what a fucking asshole. So sorry infi.

That suck, Infi. You deserve better.

Thanks guys. I'm so bummed.

I did make an appt with my doc...relatives of lawyers here at work are all saying I should "just in case" and I know I have a headache right now and feel a bit stiff, but that could just be from the initial stress.

The people on the street, my cow orkers, my fellow dwellars...all put things like this into perspective: I'm not hurt, I'm cared for, I will live to drive another day.

But honestly I would like to go back home and crawl back into bed. Sigh.

I'm just glad you weren't riding your bicycle.

Is there a reason why you can't?

It's my 'back-up' day and even as to going to the doc the big boss said to try to make it late in the day. they're not real compassionate here.

WE're not busy, all three front line folks are here, the other back-up is here...but they won't say "why don't you just go home, your day sucks already."

I would say that.

Save all receipts from your doctor visit. You may want them later.

also, when it comes to getting paid, keep in mind that your car will now have a blemish on carfax. That will reduce it's trade value. Just having the repairs to the car made is not going to make you whole from that financial aspect. If you have not signed limited tort, sue for an extra $5k to offset your future loss. settle for $3k.

When you go to sell that car, all the carfax reader will see is 'accident involving another auto, rear impact' and they will have to take your word for the severity. You should (I assume you already have) take pictures, and save them. keep the body shop repair order, and make sure the place you take it to is approved by your (or hopefully his) insurance company, and guarantees their work.

I hope the prick gets his license suspended.

OH, and these are for Maisy:

http://www.bittbox.com/wp-content/up...or_flowers.png

feel better!

Crashing into your car is terrible (I hope you're really ok, just shaken up, not worse), but hit and run is just shitty. Criminal shitty. I'm very sorry to hear about this, take care of yourself.

Thank guys.

jim--I haven't made any moves yet except to notify my insurance. They asked if I wanted to wait to see what the police say, and I do. Does he have insurance or not? Who knows. But I will tell you I'm not getting screwed this time. I'll get the Tiger on my side and I will be compensated.

I hope I can ask you questions if they arise because being this brave about getting what I deserve and actually STAYING this brave are two separate issues.

I told my mom this last accident knocked the nice clear out of me. She laughed (believe it or not I'm considered pretty nice and lend my self to be easily trod upon) and she said "awwwwwww...she used to be such a kind, forgiving person, then that last accident..."

;)

absolutely. i'll PM my cell #. call me anytime.

Thanks buddy. :)

Hey when I come over, you can show me where they live..........

The guy who hit my car? He lives somewhere 'down here' I have no idea!

I'm holding on really well, for me, but the IT just got snippy with me and I walked away saying I was done trying to answer questions and help.

Not in the mood. :(

I should've just went home.

Sorry to hear this. Yeh, people can be a-holes.

Regarding your $1000 deductible, depending upon your coverage it may not apply.
If you have it, it may be covered under your UM or UIM. (uninsured motorist)
Since this was clearly not your fault, your deductible MAY not apply.

Did you specifically ask your insurance carrier?

I would think her insurance carrier would go after the other driver once the cops get his information.

Sorry to hear that IM. I hope they get him. If not, I hope you have UM/UIM coverage (Uninsured/under insured). I work for a personal injury law firm. Although that won't help with your deductibles.

I witnessed a H&R once on my way to work. We were slowly merging onto the highway when some doucebag plowed into the guy behind me. I saw parts literally go flying by my window. I watched as the guy whipped out and around the car he hit and take off. I got super pissed and (shouldn't have) took off after the guy. I flew up on him long enough to get his tag and then backed off because he was doing better than 80 in a 55. I called the state police and was told that he had already called in and admitted that he hit and ran. Probably only because he knew I had his plate and would report it.

I agree with going to the doctor to get checked out. And you absolutely should keep receipts for any out of pocket expenses (co-pays, medications, devices like braces, ctrutches, etc.). Good luck!

Yes Pico, they will. From my limited research, there are a ton of variables involved.
If he/she has insurance not being the least of which.
If they do not, IM's carrier MAY put part of the claim under her UM and other part(s)
under her collision. (The collision part WOULD be subject to her deductible.)
I hate to say this, but I'm close to advising her to call an :eek: attorney.

wow, that sucks. I'm sorry I'm not able to offer any helpful advice. My only experience involved a pedestrian walking into my car, and he didn't do any damage to it.

(and yes, he really did walk into my car, inattentive bastige. He jaywalked and slammed into the rear passenger door of my car. Police investigation into my absurd proposition that he was actually the one at fault even if I was driving and he wasn't took all of 3 seconds ... my car was covered in quarry dirt, except for the spot he had wiped clean, on the rear passenger door (out of my eyeline), which absolved me of all responsibility, and made him look like a real idiot.)

The insurance lady on the phone was sort of explaining things to me but I called from the scene which is a main street in downtown Dayton...and people everywhere, and I was a little shook up. Anyway, she said something about waiting to see if the police could get the guy blah blah blah. The police hadn't even yet arrived on the scene.

So I hope to hear back about that, and I'll call her back.

I'm not against the idea of calling an attorney. I will not get screwed over again.

The doctor saw nothing immediately wrong that gave her concern, but said I could be sore over the next few days. As I've heard, one should get checked out in case something develops, because things can and do develop later. I just want to cover all my bases.

Also, I wish it would just go away, but it won't.

I'm going to take a nap. I'm so tired. :(

Thanks for your concern, friends. :)

I have been rear ended twice in my little car. fuckingfuck. One thing I learned from the process, the amount of damage you can "claim" for your injuries is directly proportional to how much you're spending / receiving for health care for your injuries. The lady actually told me since I only went to the doctor one time, she could only offer/permitted to allow me a low amount of damages. Well, shit. I guess I should have been more of a squeaky wheel. Point is, don't be stoic about your injuries. If you're hurt, get cared for, then get compensated.

Don't you need to stay awake for like 72 hours in case you have a closed-head injury?

You don't even drive a red car WTF well maybe you should :mad2: I really hope you are not a "dumb ass" magnet! Like I am a "crazy asshole" magnet! ;) They find me I swear and the full moon makes them come out in droves!

Crossing my fingers for a good outcome with the cash coming from other pockets!

Let me just say ...

AWWWGODDAMMIT!

And

HowTF does a guy go from dropping someone off to running up the back of another car in one move??? WTF? That's a special kind of stupid there.

Best is to do something. Nothing else will make you feel better. Start getting body shop estimates now. No matter what happens, you will still need that paperwork.

You don't need an attorney. That is what your insurance company is for and will do. Currently you only need the estimates. Any other decisions come later and require those numbers.

DISAGREE - Not if you need an attorney against your Ins co.
IF your insurance company tries to (wrongfully) cover part of this under your collision provision
thereby making you liable for the $1000 deductible, then you'll need personal legal representation.

bummer, sorry IM

I bet the guy was high. Everyone knows Camaro drivers are big pot heads.

Didn't Liz Phair have a song about this?

7,000th post.

Now I can change my location to "above 7,000 posts."

...tire tracks all across your back -- I can see you had your fun...

Is this the guy that hit you?

http://www.mjglass.ca/mulpics/mullet2.jpg

off topic.

we used to have a dalmatian, the kids LURRRRVED that dog. his name was Chief (so original.. we adopted the dog, the name came with him). He was a very athletic dog, and like to bolt when given the opportunity. watching him disappear down the street was like that scene in Star Trek where the ship kicks into hyperspace just a streak then a dot then a boom then nothing. fucking dog.

We live very close to an arterial and there's plenty of traffic on it. one day the gate was open a quarter of an inch and boom, gone. he bolted out, down the alley which was probably about two bounds for him and into the arterial. At which time we heard in very rapid succession a screech of tires a thump and a yelp. a moment later the dog (miracle of miracles) ran back into the back yard.

On his back were tire tracks, you could clearly see the white zig zag of the open space of the treads. the car had run over his ... waist give or take. his hips and groin area was abraded but nothing broken. cured his bolting though, so WIN!

My Dad adopted a dalmatian which came with a worse name.

Dal.

The second-worst name for a dalmatian.

Well, there was this one time I was stopped at a stop sign behind a truck during peak hour.

A gap came.

I thought he went.

Another gap came.

BOOM!

He hadn't gone.

:blush:

You were just trying to fill in the gaps.

Hey, thanks again everyone.

I went to sleep to take a nap yesterday and just stayed asleep until this morning. Waning adrenaline, I guess.

I'm trying to get my ducks in a row this morning but I have stupid meetings. I feel like I have to rush rush rush which makes my anxiety kick in and watching them play against each other for who pays what...just makes me feel sick. I haven't been able to eat. Maybe this is a good thing.

I appreciate your kind words and funny stories. :) I know this isn't the biggest deal on earth but I hate it, so it's nice to know people care.

When I was a teen, my neighbor ran over his toddler with a pretty large riding mower. The mower blades were turned off, and he was in his freshly tilled garden. The toddler who was sitting on the fender, slipped off when he was backing up, and fell under the tractor. The dad drove right over his skull, pressing him down into the loose soil of the garden.

Anyway, this poor kid was fine, but had red tire tread marks across his face and then a tread shaped bruise for a few days. He was so young he couldn't speak well, but he went around to the neighbors over the next few days saying "My Daddy ran over me with the tractor." He loved the attention that got.

I called my insurance and told the lady that I was waiting on a police report, but was unsure what the next steps were.

She told me their investigators could find no such plate. Well, the city police told me there WAS a match and even told me what town it is in. Then she was all like "is there anything else I can help you with today?" and as I usually do with phone interactions like these, I wasn't sure what to say and I got flustered and said 'no' but then after I hung up I was thinking "Yeah, how about you tell me my freaking options so I can get my car in and get a rental? You know, the original question?"

:headshake

Never once, not freaking once in my entire life, has anything ever happened to me where there wasn't something like this: something so weird and screwed up that it throws a wrench in the works that should be running smoothly.

If their investigators can't find the plate then it throws it all back on my court, doesn't it? Don't we PAY for insurance 'in case shit happens' and they take care of it when shit happens? Yeah, not in my life.

I don't know what to do now.

You need to have an insurance adjuster assess the damages as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more likely you are to regret it. If anything else happens to the car before that's done, it could become difficult to tell what damage was caused when and complicate the settlement. Your insurance company should be able to tell you now when they'll send an adjuster out to you; or, where you can take the car to get a repair estimate they'll accept.

ETA: You shouldn't have to leave the car just to get the estimate. It can be done while you wait.

I agree about getting an adjuster to assess the damages as soon as possible. For one of my accidents it took several days for us to connect and that whole ordeal was just fucked up. Get on them, stay on them.

Also, and I realize this is coming from one of the most picture-happy dwellars we have here, it is a good idea for you to take your own pictures. Use your digital camera or borrow one, or use your phone. You know how your car used to look, you will be able to be as thorough as you want. I actually used *my* pictures in one of my cases. Worst case, you took some pictures. Best case, you have evidence that others missed.

Did you talk to the insurance company or to your insurance agent? Your agent will often help cut through any nonsense by the internal company rep. That agent should also be able to say when the company adjuster will arrive OR why the adjuster is delayed.

Meanwhile, go to autobody shops to get their estimates. You need those numbers no matter what anyone says. Now is a best time to get estimates - to even make you feel better. And to learn who are the better shops.

What is your insurance company?

It's Geico. I was talking to a guy today at work who says I really need an agent. An agent will do the things I'm expecting to be done by Geico, without laying it all on my plate. I mean, isn't that what we pay for? I'm really sorry some bozo was in a huge ass hurry and rammed my car...now this has to be difficult too?

Plus I'm under fire at work (most of us are) and I don't have time to play on the phone all day or run around the planet getting estimates. It's just me, here.

But Geico was so easy to do. I can do most everything online. But I think I'll change when I'm done. My experience the first time wasn't exactly fun, either.

Thanks dmg: UM/UIM. I do have that.

I have rental car coverage, too, but now it seems I have to have a credit or debit card to do that. I've never ordered a debit card because I always would rather make myself carry cash because I'm more better at finances that way, but I am ordering one for future mishaps. And if they're not billing the driver of the car's insurance (driver who may or may not exist in a car that may or may not be his with a plate that may exist (so says Dayton Police) or may not exist (so says Geico's 'investigators') then all this is out of my pocket up front (deductible, deposit on the rental...) and my pocket is busy keeping up on a thousand other things.

Ugh. I'm bitching again. :blush:

So, it wasn't the Camaro Mullet guy in post #37?

I thought for sure that was him.

Our car got hit recently by someone with Geico insurance, and Geico was awesome. They covered everything. We got a free rental when the car was in the shop, and when an unexpected bill came up a month later related to the insurance coverage for the rental car, Geico cut us a check for the full amount. We had to give our credit card to secure the rental, and they did charge that insurance to our card, but we got the reimbursement. The charge was a mistake, and Geico made it right.

Only problem was my wife had to spend one or two 20 minute sessions on the phone with Geico during the whole deal. Holding and talking to different people and stuff.

Our car may be worth less now that it was hit, but we're never going to trade this car in, so I don't really care about that so much. The shop did a great job.

We never had to involve our (State Farm) agent.

I've been in a couple accidents and the rental car company tried that CC or DC routine with me as well.
Call Geico while at the rental place. Bitch, complain and treat the fuckers like they are ... well ... me ;)
I got the rental car every time without having to give my card.

Classic, when you're right you're right.

I was telling my mom about the Geico not finding the plate, but the police did. I was upset. Dealing with this crap is not my forte. No matter how I try I seem to get it all mixed up. Add to that some things going on at work and I just wanted to give up.

But mom told dad about it and he was pissed. Now, I know I'm their daughter and they love me, but they too see that I tend to get screwed over. Probably a lot of this is due to my inability to 'deal' but still, you pay the premiums you expect service. So they contacted an attorney. Attorney specializes in such matters. He will get the police report and contact the insurance. This takes a huge load off my mind.

I wonder sometimes that, when or if something really catastrophic happens, I will find I am stoic beyond all recognition...or if my level of inability to deal will reach unknown proportions. I'm really just doing the best that I can, but it never seems like it's quite enough.

I'm so lucky to have a wonderful family and friends. This is why I find this world liveable. Sometimes even likeable. Thanks all.

IM, when you're welcome you're welcome.

:)

He could be the culprit, except it's not the 70s and I didn't see him. Witnesses described him as a large white male.

But I've said too much. Shhhhh. :lol:

Now will you answer my question?

Late to the party, sorry.
But, oh Infi, I really feel for you. Shitty thing to happen.
I feel this on occasion too. There have been so many times when I've had to make calls, follow things up, have extra appointments, make complaints etc. When I was hit by a car, when I went onot benefits, when I switched benefits, when I tried to register with a Doctor when I was due a tax refund etc etc etc. And I very often heard "That should go through automatically." No. It hasn't. LISTEN.

When things are bad nothing ever seems to go through properly.
It's just we remember the disasters and the frustrations more than the smooth runnings. That's no bloody help to you now though. So you have my full sympathy and much love.

Yeah, enough of this whinging and moaning. How many times have you driven to work WITHOUT some stoopid doofus smashing into you, eh? Count yer blessings. :D

Infinite - i tried to comment last night but typing anything more than a bit is a fucking pain in the ass on this kindle. I want you
To know i think this is very shifty indeed and u r in my thoughts!


See? I want to write shit tee and this fucking thing changes it!

I laughed heartily at Zen's comment. Listen, when your entire family is like "Um, enough with your bad luck" and they KNOW I can fuck just about anything up...that's saying something. ;)

I'm twitchy about driving into work now. I'm a defensive driver. I keep an eye out for what other drivers are doing or "might" do. But you can't anticipate idiots. I mean, you can anticipate that they're there, but you can't anticipate the lengths to which their idiocy will go.

Thanks Sundae and Bri. I think I'll be OK and it's time to stand up and say "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." It's like chinese water torture...drip, drip, drip. Oh, you not have enough? More drip, drip, drip. Well, I've had enough.

*apologies if it's politically incorrect to refer to chinese water torture