sometimes, it just DOESN'T pay to leave the house!
Went to an obscure store in Hollywood this morning to track down some unique, natural (rubber) linoleum flooring to do a custom/inlaid install in the kitchen. I parallel parked out in front, taking the last spot before the light- no one to park in front of me & easy exit.
Anyways, I'm BS-ing with the guy at counter when we hear this loud squeal of rubber out front, as someone slams on the brakes. We both cringed & waited for the impending crash, though none materialized. So... we continue with our conversation. A few minutes later, someone sticks their head in the front door & asks "does anyone in here own a green Saturn Vue?"
Immediately, a giant lump formed in my throat. So, I sheepishly say "yah" & they reply "well someone just hit your car & I think they're leaving". I walk out to the curb, expecting the worst. First thing I see is that a door mirror scraped about 12" along my door panel & continued (another 12") across the fender blister of the wheelwell. I was upset, but not devastated. It looked like it would probably buff out.
Apparently, an elderly gentleman had to stop quickly for the light. The girl behind him then followed suit, but slammed on the brakes & veered to the right- clipping my car. Neither wanted to involve insurance companys, of course... a late 80s Camry beater & a trashed Daewoo Lanos.
The two of them were already (aggressively) arguing over whose fault it was & I couldn't get a word in edge-wise. This girl had a LOT of attitude. Finally, I'd had it, threw out my arms (TIME OUT!) & said " I just need to know whose car hit mine"... the girl said hers did, but that the gentleman caused her to hit my car. I told her I didn't care WHO "caused" it, just which car hit mine. Told them I was not involved in who caused what or whose fault it was, but since her car hit & damaged mine, I wanted her license & insurance information. She refused, saying that she wasn't giving out that information. The gentleman wasn't have any success with her either... she was VERY uncooperative. During the ensuing argument, she alluded to being a tourist & that her car was a rental. I said "well you DO have a driver's license & rental contract with you, don't you?" She still wouldn't produce it. She said "LOOK... it just a little scratch, it'll come right out... it's nothing" The gentleman was being quite amicable about the whole thing. We exchanged information while the girl went back to her car for something. The gentleman said he didn't want to involve the insurance company, but if it came to that, he understood my position. He opened his wallet to show me his insurance card. The girl saw this from a distance & then runs up & starts accusing us of striking some kind of deal behind her back.
So, we all go another few rounds of arguing. I told them both I wanted both their information... that yes, it may just buff out, but if there's steering/suspension/brake/bearing damage (it is FWD after all), that's another matter. So then the girl goes off again... "look, it's just a little mark... there's no other damage... do you know ANYTHING about cars?"
Oh honey... don't EVEN go there. I've been working on and detailing cars longer than she's been alive. I'm a licensed professional engineer & a subject matter expert in metallurgical failure analysis. I REALLY had to bite my tongue.
She took some pictures of my car, gave me a name & suspiciously local (for a tourist) phone number- both probably bogus, & said she'd send me a copy of the pictures. Then, got in her car & left.
I spoke with the gentleman a few more minutes before he left... he was apologetic & cooperative.
When it was just me & my now-tarnished baby, I started looking again. That's when I noticed the scrape on the lower wheelwell & all the scrapes on the alloy wheel. OK... now I'm heartbroken.
Went to a convenience store a few doors down. Luckily they had some disposable cameras for sale. So, documented everything before I moved the car.
Started to worry after I saw the wheel damage, so decided to call my insurance company immediately. They confirmed that I should only be concerned with the driver whose car hit mine... that swerving/veering to avoid an accident didn't mean the girl could hit/damage another.
It drove ok on the way home... no pulling or squealing or anything, but stopped by the dealership to have them check it over.
What really floors me is that the gentleman was willing to help out, even though he didn't even hit my car. I get home & HIS insurance company calls me with the claim information. I asked if his claim was a result of my insurance company contacting him (since his was the only information I had)... she said no, he contacted them on his own.
I'll just REALLY be PO'd if this girl gets off somehow. Does no one take responsibility for their actions any more? I really should've called the police. This "nice guy" thing is a curse. The insurance companies were both quite accomodating... telling me not to beat myself up over it. I was just so flustered, I didn't quite remember everything I was supposed to do in this situation (first time).
So now my baby is no longer perfect :bawling:
and I'd gone to such pains to keep her that way... the weekly 2 hour baths... keeping the wheelwells scrubbed clean & the engine and door jambs wiped down. It lasted 20 months & 12,000 miles.
Yea, I know... I've gone off the deep end... it's just a freakin Saturn. I've had much nicer, much more expensive cars. But still... I bought it new with 34 miles on the odo & it's been immaculate ever since- the paint was as close to perfect as you can get (for GM paint- lots of orange peel), & there wasn't a single scratch, dent, or water spot on it. Even my beaters have received regular washing, waxing, & preventative maintenance. I had an ultra-rare, low-mileage '98 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC (1 of 117) that I eventually sold because I never drove it for fear of getting it banged into.
OH YEA... gotta give props to the guy at the store. I had talked to this guy for a grand total of 10-15 minutes tops. Really nice guy. He stood out there with me through the whole ordeal, brought me a pen & paper to write down information, & told me where to get a disposable camera to document everything. :thx
So... will have to break out the clay, the PC, & an assortment of cleaners & compounds to assess the damage. It's been my experience that the Saturn has a thick, hard clear coat so hopefully I can get it out. Am less optimistic for the alloy wheel.
moral of the story... never parallel park on Santa Monica Boulevard.
should've stayed in bed...
Went to an obscure store in Hollywood this morning to track down some unique, natural (rubber) linoleum flooring to do a custom/inlaid install in the kitchen. I parallel parked out in front, taking the last spot before the light- no one to park in front of me & easy exit.
Anyways, I'm BS-ing with the guy at counter when we hear this loud squeal of rubber out front, as someone slams on the brakes. We both cringed & waited for the impending crash, though none materialized. So... we continue with our conversation. A few minutes later, someone sticks their head in the front door & asks "does anyone in here own a green Saturn Vue?"
Immediately, a giant lump formed in my throat. So, I sheepishly say "yah" & they reply "well someone just hit your car & I think they're leaving". I walk out to the curb, expecting the worst. First thing I see is that a door mirror scraped about 12" along my door panel & continued (another 12") across the fender blister of the wheelwell. I was upset, but not devastated. It looked like it would probably buff out.
Apparently, an elderly gentleman had to stop quickly for the light. The girl behind him then followed suit, but slammed on the brakes & veered to the right- clipping my car. Neither wanted to involve insurance companys, of course... a late 80s Camry beater & a trashed Daewoo Lanos.
The two of them were already (aggressively) arguing over whose fault it was & I couldn't get a word in edge-wise. This girl had a LOT of attitude. Finally, I'd had it, threw out my arms (TIME OUT!) & said " I just need to know whose car hit mine"... the girl said hers did, but that the gentleman caused her to hit my car. I told her I didn't care WHO "caused" it, just which car hit mine. Told them I was not involved in who caused what or whose fault it was, but since her car hit & damaged mine, I wanted her license & insurance information. She refused, saying that she wasn't giving out that information. The gentleman wasn't have any success with her either... she was VERY uncooperative. During the ensuing argument, she alluded to being a tourist & that her car was a rental. I said "well you DO have a driver's license & rental contract with you, don't you?" She still wouldn't produce it. She said "LOOK... it just a little scratch, it'll come right out... it's nothing" The gentleman was being quite amicable about the whole thing. We exchanged information while the girl went back to her car for something. The gentleman said he didn't want to involve the insurance company, but if it came to that, he understood my position. He opened his wallet to show me his insurance card. The girl saw this from a distance & then runs up & starts accusing us of striking some kind of deal behind her back.
So, we all go another few rounds of arguing. I told them both I wanted both their information... that yes, it may just buff out, but if there's steering/suspension/brake/bearing damage (it is FWD after all), that's another matter. So then the girl goes off again... "look, it's just a little mark... there's no other damage... do you know ANYTHING about cars?"
Oh honey... don't EVEN go there. I've been working on and detailing cars longer than she's been alive. I'm a licensed professional engineer & a subject matter expert in metallurgical failure analysis. I REALLY had to bite my tongue.
She took some pictures of my car, gave me a name & suspiciously local (for a tourist) phone number- both probably bogus, & said she'd send me a copy of the pictures. Then, got in her car & left.
I spoke with the gentleman a few more minutes before he left... he was apologetic & cooperative.
When it was just me & my now-tarnished baby, I started looking again. That's when I noticed the scrape on the lower wheelwell & all the scrapes on the alloy wheel. OK... now I'm heartbroken.
Went to a convenience store a few doors down. Luckily they had some disposable cameras for sale. So, documented everything before I moved the car.
Started to worry after I saw the wheel damage, so decided to call my insurance company immediately. They confirmed that I should only be concerned with the driver whose car hit mine... that swerving/veering to avoid an accident didn't mean the girl could hit/damage another.
It drove ok on the way home... no pulling or squealing or anything, but stopped by the dealership to have them check it over.
What really floors me is that the gentleman was willing to help out, even though he didn't even hit my car. I get home & HIS insurance company calls me with the claim information. I asked if his claim was a result of my insurance company contacting him (since his was the only information I had)... she said no, he contacted them on his own.
I'll just REALLY be PO'd if this girl gets off somehow. Does no one take responsibility for their actions any more? I really should've called the police. This "nice guy" thing is a curse. The insurance companies were both quite accomodating... telling me not to beat myself up over it. I was just so flustered, I didn't quite remember everything I was supposed to do in this situation (first time).
So now my baby is no longer perfect :bawling:
and I'd gone to such pains to keep her that way... the weekly 2 hour baths... keeping the wheelwells scrubbed clean & the engine and door jambs wiped down. It lasted 20 months & 12,000 miles.
Yea, I know... I've gone off the deep end... it's just a freakin Saturn. I've had much nicer, much more expensive cars. But still... I bought it new with 34 miles on the odo & it's been immaculate ever since- the paint was as close to perfect as you can get (for GM paint- lots of orange peel), & there wasn't a single scratch, dent, or water spot on it. Even my beaters have received regular washing, waxing, & preventative maintenance. I had an ultra-rare, low-mileage '98 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC (1 of 117) that I eventually sold because I never drove it for fear of getting it banged into.
OH YEA... gotta give props to the guy at the store. I had talked to this guy for a grand total of 10-15 minutes tops. Really nice guy. He stood out there with me through the whole ordeal, brought me a pen & paper to write down information, & told me where to get a disposable camera to document everything. :thx
So... will have to break out the clay, the PC, & an assortment of cleaners & compounds to assess the damage. It's been my experience that the Saturn has a thick, hard clear coat so hopefully I can get it out. Am less optimistic for the alloy wheel.
moral of the story... never parallel park on Santa Monica Boulevard.
should've stayed in bed...
