Yesterday I was so organized that I was going to actually be five minutes early for my PICC appointment! (Actually, I was feeling so lousy that I hadn't slept much so was up early - but I'll take whatever credit for being early/on-time I can!) I was cruising the back parking lot of Billings Bridge looking for a spot. There were a few coming up and I prepared to turn - and WHAM! Some idiot pinned the driver's side of my car and basically totalled both my doors! Seriously? I don't even understand how that happens!
I have to admit that I was Donna in full pissed off mode as I got out of the car. "What were you thinking? Are you crazy?" or something close to that were the first words out of my mouth. There were no cuss words involved, I'm proud to say. The other guy was reasonable at first, reaching into his car for his papers while I stood there with my mouth open looking at the damage to my car, wondering how fast this guy, who hadn't even been behind me moments before he drove into me, could have been going and where he was trying to get to. My car was already turned fully into the lane when he drove into my side - it made no sense. Then the guy really pissed me off.
As he was dealing with his papers he started to lay the blame on me. "You didn't signal. You had stopped in the road." Enough. 911 please. When I got off the phone he seemed surprised and asked, "Did you just call the police?" Yup, I'm not getting stuck with part of this bill - I'm getting the cops out here - and I'm taking photos. He tried to move his car but I told him if he did he would be in more trouble when the police arrived. (I don't think this is true, but it worked and I got my photos)
First, I signalled. I've got a kid about to turn 16 who is on me for every tiny little driving error. (The only saving grace is that he is apparently he is on his granny just as much:) Tee Hee) Second, where the hell would I be stopping? There were no entrances to the mall anywhere around us, there was nothing to do but either drive away from the lot or park. I still can't figure out what this guy was thinking.
By the time the cops showed up I was calm enough not to kill the guy when he was still trying to blame me. The cop went to him first to ask what happened, it clearly being his issue. Buddy played gallant and said he'd let "the lady" go first. I laughed and said, "It's just what it looks like. We haven't moved. He was in rather a hurry to cut in front of me apparently." Buddy then started going into details about where I was in my lane (in it) and that he saw my brake lights come on so just assumed I was stopping (apparently he doesn't brake prior to turning 90 degrees)and that he didn't see a signal (because he was already trying to pass me). I had enough presence of mind to keep my mouth shut and not contradict the guy or laugh either. You should have seen the cops face though when the guy was through. Buddy even had the gall/idiocy to throw me a smug look.
Paperwork handed to the cop and back into our vehicles. I called We Care to let them know that I'd be a little late then got on the horn to my insurance agents. After an hour, the cops couldn't lay charges b/c it was private property (that I knew) but that it was clearly all buddy's fault (that I also knew). What I didn't know is that if you are making a left hand turn and someone tries to pass you from behind, you are technically 25% at fault because you are supposed to anticipate that some idiot is going to pull a dumn-ass stunt like that.
My insurance agent however (Co-Operators) were wonderful and given the extent of the damage and what the agent heard the cop say about charges, are not going to charge me the 25% but are going after the other guy for total indemnity - which means that I don't even have to pay my own deductible.
What a pain though. Now I have to run around and get estimates and get everything fixed - and hope that I don't get any rust. My poor baby "Beast". Only one year old and so badly hurt.
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