Was involved in a minor collision on Tuesday...

[Bernard Woolley]

...With another car while driving home. I wasn't hurt, beyond a bit of a stiff neck and a sore shoulder from the seatbelt. My car only suffered relatively minor damage, however it was enough to make it undriveable.

The other driver admitted being at fault, but I can't be annoyed with him. He made a genuine error and was very decent about it all. Before my insurance company swooped in and took custody of the car, he had offered to pay for all of the damage.

My car is now in storage in an unknown location (Area 51?); my insurance company were supposed to have told me where, but haven't yet. I have no submitted my claim to them, and now it's a case of waiting to hear back. I may be fortunate enough to be given a hire car while mine is being repaired.

It was almost heartbreaking to watch my wee, injured car being driven onto the back of a recovery vehicle, before being taken away. It was almost like seeing a family member being taken away.

[jemhouston]

Been there, done that. Happy you're okay. Hot shower, and possible a sauna.

[Johnnie Lyle]

Yup, as Jem says. You’re ok, your car is going to be ok.

Completely understand the emotions cars bring out. It can be rough watching the car docs take them away. And any accident naturally gets the adrenaline going, and coming down off that can be weird at times.

But the good news is that this is an annoyance and not serious injury.

[Bernard Woolley]

Thanks, guys.

I was already slowing down for a red light, so it was not as bad as it could have been.

[David Newton]

I was already slowing down for a red light ….

I'll bet the other party wasn't slowing down at that point, hence the problem.

[Micael]

Glad to hear it went relatively well for you. A bit over a decade ago I had two incident a couple of years apart, both with other people running into me from behind when I was stopped. Nothing too bad either time, and I could drive the cars to the mechanic myself. But it is thoroughly annoying to have it happen to you, so my sympathies.

[Bernard Woolley]

I'll bet the other party wasn't slowing down at that point, hence the problem.

He was trying to quickly cut across what he thought was a clear bus lane. It's a lesson in never assuming a lane is clear just because you can't see any vehicles in it, or someone signals you across. We hit right front to left front, with him side on to me. Not something I'm going to forget for a while, I'll tell you!

Glad to hear it went relatively well for you. A bit over a decade ago I had two incident a couple of years apart, both with other people running into me from behind when I was stopped. Nothing too bad either time, and I could drive the cars to the mechanic myself.

That seems to be a very common type of collision. I am going to invest in a front/rear dash cam when I get the car back. Does anyone have any recommendations btw?

But it is thoroughly annoying to have it happen to you, so my sympathies.

If I had been able to pull back the trim and free it from the front wheel, I think I might have been able to drive it home. However, OTOH, I wasn't in a state to drive it anyway. My Dad picked me up & noticed how hyper vigilant I was on the way home - "What's that one doing?" "Look out for him!" etc. etc.

[warshipadmin]

My wife got T boned while driving my company car by an idiot running a red light. Their insurer claimed that all drivers have a duty to avoid a collision (true) and that she was therefore 50/50 culpable. Our lawyers ate them for breakfast.

Another time I was driving a prototype car home for the night just to check it was all OK before a drive by the big boss the next day, and in heavy traffic i was crossing an intersection, the car in front of me stopped. I stopped, the 4wd behind me stopped eventually. The resulting cosmetic damage caused some sarcasm in the workshop the next day.

Yes dash cams would be a good idea, i keep meaning to get one.

[Micael]

I'll bet the other party wasn't slowing down at that point, hence the problem.

He was trying to quickly cut across what he thought was a clear bus lane. It's a lesson in never assuming a lane is clear just because you can't see any vehicles in it, or someone signals you across. We hit right front to left front, with him side on to me. Not something I'm going to forget for a while, I'll tell you!

Glad to hear it went relatively well for you. A bit over a decade ago I had two incident a couple of years apart, both with other people running into me from behind when I was stopped. Nothing too bad either time, and I could drive the cars to the mechanic myself.

That seems to be a very common type of collision. I am going to invest in a front/rear dash cam when I get the car back. Does anyone have any recommendations btw?

But it is thoroughly annoying to have it happen to you, so my sympathies.

If I had been able to pull back the trim and free it from the front wheel, I think I might have been able to drive it home. However, OTOH, I wasn't in a state to drive it anyway. My Dad picked me up & noticed how hyper vigilant I was on the way home - "What's that one doing?" "Look out for him!" etc. etc.

The second time for me was a bit interesting as it was a fairly large Hyundai SUV that decided to run into me at some speed. Interesting because I was in a Volvo S80, and it turned out that Volvo’s approach to that type of accident was to make a very sturdy rear sector (”ramming protection”) of the vehicle. The result was that the Hyundai had its front end all smashed up, including the engine. My Volvo had medium heavy damage to the bumper and light damage to the boot hatch. Dramatic contrast really. Had to replace the bumper but the hatch only needed some body work done.

[Bouncy70]

He was trying to quickly cut across what he thought was a clear bus lane. It's a lesson in never assuming a lane is clear just because you can't see any vehicles in it, or someone signals you across. We hit right front to left front, with him side on to me. Not something I'm going to forget for a while, I'll tell you!

Driving a car is like air combat... it's the one you don't see that is going to kill you.

[Bouncy70]

Yes dash cams would be a good idea, i keep meaning to get one.

Potentially useful things, I have one. The most exciting thing is has ever captured is a Schwimmwagen trundling down a Czech motorway at full throttle.

[David Newton]

I nearly had an unfortunate moment during last week as well. Work gathering in Walsall and one of my colleagues collected me and proceeded to drive somewhat dangerously unfortunately. She usually drives an automatic and it showed: her gear handling was atrocious. The thing that really concerned me though was when there were two lanes at a set of traffic lights, two lanes on the other side of the junction, narrowing to one shortly thereafter, us in one lane and a skip lorry in the other lane a bit ahead. She decided that she was going to overtake it. She should never have even tried the move, as it was obvious that she wouldn't make it before running out of space, but the idiot in the skip lorry made it worse by accelerating considerably as well. She backed off by braking quite sharply.

She complained about back-seat driving, but if you're going to nearly end up in a very nasty collision because of your own stupidity and otherwise drive too fast and too close and show poor planning and observation, what else do you expect?

[JBG]

Glad to hear that you are OK Bernard.

From what you say a replacement panel or two (few panels are beaten these days it seems) and your car should be back on the road.

Since my MX-5 is smallish and low I drive a bit like a motorcyclist, ie every other driver is an idiot who is out to get me. I like to know where every other vehicle is and their velocity. Benign carelessness is common as is selfishness and often sheer bloody mindlessness. Just this morning my normal caution had me pause at the top of my street. Just as well as a Marc went flat chat through a stop sign and would have smashed me and my Igrushka up had I not distrusted them.

Jonathan

[warshipadmin]

I drive like that in my Everest. We've printed up some stickers for the rear window that say "Designed and Engineered in Australia". I asked the dept manager if we were sending any over to the Bronco team.

[Bernard Woolley]

This was the extent of the damage.

[Sukhoiman]

Glad you are all right! That's what matters the most in the end.

[Bernard Woolley]

Yup, metal and plastic can be replaced & repaired. Thanks.

[Johnnie Lyle]

This was the extent of the damage.

That looks fairly minor as well. Good news for your ride and your wallet!

[Bernard Woolley]

UPDATE.

My car is now booked in for repairs. On the 21st!

In the meantime my insurance company has arranged for the hire of a snazzy Audi A3. I think it means I don’t need to use indicators for the moment and tailgate people in the outside lane.

[Belushi TD]

Oh, yes. And you are completely entitled to drive while talking on your phone, make random lane changes, cut across three lanes of traffic when you almost miss your exit, and other misanthropic driving techniques.

Or at least that's what it seems like judging by my hour long commutes to the job site this week. (BTW, one day it was the SAME f-ing a$$hole who did ALL of those, consecutively!)

Belushi TD