AAArg! Damn the bad luck

[Chris]

Damn the bad luck!

Well, I have learned some interesting and important lessens recently. First off, an SVX with studded snow tires is like a snow cat on the slippery surfaces. Unfortunately, there is a bad side. Not everyone has such awesome equipment nor the ability and or skills to drive in snow and slippery weather. This has brought me to my unfortunate outcome. While letting a pedestrian cross the street in the crosswalk area, I got rear-ended by a jacked up F250 4X4 pickup. Whole back end will need some serious work. Probably need a whole new trunk lid, new right lens, spoiler, and paint. Not too worried about getting the damaged fixed, but am I wrong to worry about the shop finding a replacement spoiler? I am mad as hell, and even more so because the woman driving her boyfriends jacked up truck laid it on pretty heavy for the young officers doing the report and did NOT cite her. They wrote it all off to the poor weather. I am seriously in disagreement with this and think she should have been cited for driving too fast for conditions. The report says I am not at fault for the accident, but worried now that her insurance will find some clause not to pay for repairs. Pictures will be posted after daylight hours. If you don’t take into account the higher cost for parts, the truck faired more damage than the SVX. This is now my second time getting hit from behind in a Subaru. Last time was also a truck. In my 82 Subaru GLF I was hit from behind by a Chev S10 pick up. I was able to drive away with minor rear cosmetic damage. The pickup was towed due to severe front-end damage. IF I HAVE to be in an accident, I want to be in my Subaru. I just feel sad because my car has been so good to me and now I feel as if it’s injured. Don’t deal with insurance much, but I sure hope they take care of me the few times I need it too.

[KennEls]

Chris I feel for you, these truck (!) drivers are unbeleivable.

When you get your car checked for insurance also get the tranny checked for possible damage, I've seen these have real serious problems on other cars that have been shunted while stopped.

Kenn

[SHISVX]

Chris, that really blows. i got rearended, but suffered no visable damage you want to run back and poke the person behind you and say "hey arsehole, didn't you know that two cars can't occupy the same space at the same time?!?!" among other things. you are right, i agree that there should have been some type of citation. i would go to that police station and ask to talk to someone in charge and find out if that is how they handle things usually, or was it just because the girl behind you was a cutie and the officer was a sucker

either way, i hope things work out for the best

Kelli

[svxistentialist]

Chris,

Real sorry to hear about your accident, glad the damage is only material.

Hard to understand what you mean when you say the insurance company might find a way of sliding out of paying for your damage.

Here in Ireland, if you get hit from behind, in 100% of the the cases it is deemed to be the fault of the driver in the back. Logic is you are always meant to be driving with enough care and attention to traffic and conditions that you are able to stop, no matter what happens.

Is this not the case in the US? On ski slopes, [in Europe anyway!] experts speeding from behind always must give way to slower skiers and learners in front. This uses the same logic as for the roads. It would be a help to your case if you had the name and address and details of the pedestrian, since your friendly neighbourhood cop was letting hormones cloud his judgement.

Joe

[Bobb]

Hi Chris, This must be the lastest thing in law enforcement. When the lady hit me, after going through a red light, the police decided neither of us was at fault. It was just an accident! Then her insurance CO sends me a letter saying they were going to sue me because I didn't have insurance. NOT. This after having given my insurance info to the Police and the other driver. This causing me to have to run around to get the proof to supply the other insurance co. Dumb. Well hope you are able to get your SVX back the way it was, or better. Take care, BOBB

[Aredubjay]

Chris,
Hate to hear about the accident. If the shop can't find a spoiler, I'm sure your friends here will move heaven and earth to find you one.

Joe,
Yes, it's the same in the US. Rearenders are considered 100% at fault, in that they should be paying attention to those in front who SHOULD be looking forward.

The bugaboo may come in the fact that the girl was driving a "borrowed" vehicle and try to "waffle" her way around. However, since the girl had to cough up HER license, and HER insurance info, there should be no problems "legally." Just that insurance companies HATE to see accidents, as they must pay out. Even if THAT'S what they're supposed to do, they don't like to let go of their monies easily.

Chris,
Just be honest and be polite with the insurance agent. Let them know that you're not out to gouge them, that you just want your car fixed and you want it done RIGHT. That it's "unfortunate" that their client happened to screw up, but, that's what they're there for. Don't let THEM take control, but, be polite about it. If they get "pissy" just let them know that they can contact you at the Attorney General's office, where you work, if they have any further questions. That should give them pause.

[Alycone]

That's awful that your car is injured, I wish people whose cars (or driving skills) can't handle bad weather would know when to stay off the road.