So I’m trying to merge from Skokie Blvd. (aka US 41) on the northbound Edens Expressway this morning, as traffic is slowly creeping along. I looked to my left to find a gap in traffic, and the SUV in front of me stopped suddenly. WHUMP!
So, I suppose it’s not too bad, considering I was only going about 5-10 mph. Air bags didn’t deploy, which was good, and no one got hurt, which is even better.
As you can see, my car submarined under her bumper – she had some scratches and gouges out of her bumper and well, I took the brunt of the damage. At least the car is still drivable. So we waited around for about an hour until the state trooper showed up. We got an accident report, and even though the trooper didn’t think it necessary, apparently in Cook County if there’s an accident there has to be a ticket, so I was cited for “Failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.”
The good news is that I can get the ticket thrown out if I plead not guilty and go to court in Maywood sometime in mid-December. I say I’m not guilty, the trooper says he didn’t witness the accident, and the other driver won’t be there, so out the ticket goes. My insurance company said they’d provide me with a letter saying that they’re covering the damages to the other vehicle, which could get the judge to waive any fees or court costs, too. The downside, is that will probably cost me a day off from work.
The insurance company also said our rates won’t go up if the damage is less than $1,800 (deductible included) AND there is no conviction on the traffic ticket. I somehow doubt that’ll be less than $1,800, but I’m going to take the car to a body shop right across from Abbott at lunch time and get an estimate. One way or another, we’ll be out the $250 deductible, that’s for sure. At least I’m covered for a rental car while the car is in the shop.
Wow. Just got a phone call from the insurance company – I’ve got a claim number and everything. At least State Farm is efficient.
OK, back to work…
Damn. I’m sorry to hear about this. *hug*
But at least everyone is all right.
You woule be amazed what the body guys can do. That might only run you 700 bucks or so. Reshape the hood, and replace that light assembly. The damage isn’t all that severe, really.
Loxley
Aw, crud, that sucks. Glad you have State Farm, it’ll get taken care of. Your car doesn’t really look that bad. Hopefully there wasn’t much bumper damage to the SUV.
Well i am gland you are all right and everything, Damn SUV owners… those things are too big for people sometimes.
tell me she wasn’t on her cell phone either?
No, to be honest it was pretty much my fault (and I wasn’t on a cell phone either 🙂 And it’s not that I blame SUV drivers so much – hey, we own one, sort of – but this does highlight some of the safety concerns in car-SUV accidents. And makes me want to buy another Honda Element 🙂
That sucks…but thankfully you’re allright. Money is just money…your safty is more important.
I miss big cities, but traffic in them is something I don’t miss at all 😛 Altho, down in Champoo-Banana, all the college kids take their driving habits and try them out here (which leads to the locals driving as tho they are on the Dan Ryan x.x)
Glad yer not hurt tho. *hugs ya*
You have to get a ticket? That’s sort of stupid :/ At least accident things are going smoothly.
Ow!
Still, you are lucky. Here in .UK if you rear-end someone then you probably get automatically ticketed for “driving without due care” as well as paying out in full for the damage to both your vehicle and the one you hit.
Yeah, the dance to get the ticket voided will probably be worth it, though it’s still annoying to lose that day from work (and the accompanying paycheck for that day). While the lost salary for that day would be twice what the fine is, I suspect the long-term damage (i.e. rise in insurance rates) would more than offset the difference.
Since I was issued the ticket, the insurance company assumes already that I was the one at fault, and is already processing a claim to pay for the damage to the other person. Well, this is what I’ve been paying $1,500-or-so per year for the last eighteen years for – pay my $250 deductible and then I’m done.
I’m glad you are okay. God that sucks *snugs*!
Actually, it looks like you’ll be coming just under (hopefully) that $1800 dollars as you will have to replace the hood (you can’t see it but the frame spot-welded to the underside is ruined), the fender and the headlight assembly, plus painting and labor. The iffy part is whether or not they do anything with the bumper, which looks scratched but not deformed. (then again, I’m a redneck)
So, $400 plus $200 plus $150-200, then at least $600. The GOOD news is that the airbag sensor is about 4-6 inches from the impact and several inches lower so THAT didn’t go off in your face 🙁
I’m glad nobody got hurt.
–Kit
Heh. Yeah, I figured the hood was trashed, as is the front quarter panel and the headlight assembly. There was no obvious radiator damage. I took it for an estimate over lunch and the guy said that State Farm tends to look for used parts on cars older than two years (mine’s a 2001) – that doesn’t bother me much, and I’m sure it costs less than OEM. The bumper has a few gouges in it but other than that is pretty sound, so I requested that they save it and re-use it if they can.
I should get a call back this afternoon; we’ll see what the estimate comes in at.
And yeah, I’m extremely glad the airbag didn’t go off! Aside from the slapstick entertainment involved, I know those suckers are expensive to replace.
Glad that you’re ok Duncan.
OUCH! Thank God for the insurance. Anything you can do to void the issued ticket MUST be done since any surcharge on your insurance would live with you for the next three years. And since Dan is approaching the magic age thirty (in the next year or so), your insurance should go down considerably. Have you already gotten a loaner for the duration? Keep us posted and let us know if you need anything. And, yes, thank heaven you weren’t all scrunched up like the front of your car.
*merfs*
Well that’s not quite the preferred “Welcome to the Windy City” message….but I’m glad you are ok doggy *snugs tight*
Not good *HUG* but I’m glad you are okay, Duncan. Better a few scrapes on the car than on the husky 😉
ACK! That completely sucks. I always worry about the same thing happening in heavy traffic. (I sometimes have a tendency to follow a little too closely.)
Glad that your okay Duncan. It is a plus that your airbags didn’t go off. Getting one of those replaced is really expensive, from what I’ve heard. (Would surely put you over the $1,800.00 mark.)
The fact that both vehicles left the scene under their own power says alot! :p
*ouch*
Glad everyone was OK!
Sorry you’ve got to do the repair thingie, but glad it’s only the car that needs repairing!
That sucks! The officer is right about the ticket though. Essentially they issue one so the not-at fault party has a shot at getting their car paid for if the at fault party’s insurance is balky about covering things. The sort of unwritten rule is, make sure the other person get’s their car fixed, show up in court, plead not guilty on the grounds that their are no witnesses, and the case is non-suited and dismissed. You can’t be made to pay court fees if you aren’t found guilty in any case. The only possible witness would be the other party and they won’t usually show unless their car hasn’t been fixed (or they are assholes). State farm is good. You’ll get to see them show why they are worth paying somewhat higher premiums in the lack of hassle you should have to deal with to get your car fixed.
[wince] I hate merging in heavy traffic like that — with people in front of you stopping suddenly and people behind you wanting to move. I’m really glad that you’re ok!