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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 04:34:08 PM

Title: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 04:34:08 PM
I'm coming home from the dentist cleaning appointment.  I'm out of the Battery Tunnel, driving along the West Street in Manhattan.  I see the yellow light for quite a while, so I brake at reasonable rate to a stop.  Next thing I know, I hear a loud THUMP, and feel my back of the head hitting the headrest. 

After taking a second to gather my thoughts, I get out of the car, and to my shock, I only see a deep ding in my bumper.  The girl in the car behind me asks me if I'm OK, and I ask her back.  We're both OK.  Her Scion didn't fare as well as my Jetta, though, but the damage to it wasn't fatal either.  It basically had its grill knocked in.

As it happens, we crashed right in view of the Port Authority Police SUV.  One of the PA cop motions us to pull off to the side.  He then makes sure we're both OK, and tells us to talk things out and see if we can settle this.  We both take pictures of each others' cars, I make sure to also take a picture of her license plate.  She then asks me if we can settle this without getting insurance involved, and has her mom talk to me on the phone.  Her mom tries to sell me the sob story, but I don't promise anything.  It does seem like I only have a deep gouge in my bumper, but you never know, especially with German cars.

I also come back and talk to the PA cop, and ask him if there needs to be a police report.  He says he can do it if either of us ask, but then insurance company would be involved.  He says that I can still file it within 10 days.  I take a photo of his identification, in case I need him as a witness, and decide against filing a police report.  The accident wasn't that serious, and it really seems pretty clear cut.  He again suggests that we don't get insurance involved, but also insists that we exchange our insurance information just in case (the girl was quite hesitant to do that).  We do, and we also exchange phone numbers.  We then shake hands and drive away.  The girl was cool-headed, and she did apologize a couple of times, so I have nothing against her.

So, I have a couple of questions.  Did I handle this situation the right way, or did I do something that might get me screwed?  Also, how do I go about estimating the damage?  Do I just go to my dealership?  Also, is it a good idea to not report the accident to the insurance company for me, since I'm clearly not at fault?  I've never been in an accident before, so I wasn't quite sure what the right thing to do was.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 21, 2011, 04:37:10 PM
You did just fine.

Yes, making an insurance claim will affect your insurance, even if not at fault.

Just take the car to the dealership or your favourite autobody shop.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 04:59:04 PM
By the way, is a deep gouge in a bumper even worth fixing?  Could I just estimate the loss of resale value to my car, and ask for that from the girl?  I already have some minor damage on my car anyway.

Here is the bumper:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg269.imageshack.us%2Fimg269%2F7996%2F007pqh.jpg&hash=451d99e880742a3d1bfb3ff61ce96b4dbe211d05)
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Maximus on September 21, 2011, 05:10:38 PM
Give it a couple days to make sure you're not hurt. A hit from the rear can be especially bad with neck injuries. Wouldn't surprise me if a medical insurance company would refuse to pay for treatment, claiming her liability should pay for it. Insurance companies are like that.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 05:38:36 PM
That's it, that's all the comments Languish has about my near-fatal accident?  I'm just going to assume that you all were disappointed when you got to the end, and found out that I made it out alive.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 21, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
You should have blackmailed the chick for trim.

Beeb, where did you get that you shouldn't report a not at fault accident?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Maximus on September 21, 2011, 05:41:30 PM
Hell you didn't even flip the car.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: MadImmortalMan on September 21, 2011, 05:46:25 PM
We need pics of the girl before we can comment on how you handled the situation, of course.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on September 21, 2011, 05:46:27 PM
Quote from: Maximus on September 21, 2011, 05:41:30 PM
Hell you didn't even flip the car.

Yeah this is pretty lame.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Eddie Teach on September 21, 2011, 05:48:32 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 21, 2011, 05:46:25 PM
We need pics of the girl before we can comment on how you handled the situation, of course.

Well, he got her number at least.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Berkut on September 21, 2011, 05:49:10 PM
I would have thought your expertise from the college racing club would have made any advice I could give seem pathetic anyway.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 05:50:59 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 21, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
You should have blackmailed the chick for trim.

Beeb, where did you get that you shouldn't report a not at fault accident?
I do recall a discussion that I overheard in my office, from the personal auto people, several years ago.  As I gather, the data showed that even no-fault accidents in driver's were indicative of higher risk, by a not-insignificant amount.  It wouldn't surprise me if no-fault accidents can be counted against you when it comes to premiums, if the law allows, though I would be surprised if that's the rule rather than the exception.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 05:51:32 PM
Quote from: Berkut on September 21, 2011, 05:49:10 PM
I would have thought your expertise from the college racing club would have made any advice I could give seem pathetic anyway.
Well, it did make me better at braking, evidently.

Anyway, the point of posting this thread was to make sure that I did everything correctly, and that I didn't screw myself by doing anything (like not getting a police report on the spot and such).
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on September 21, 2011, 06:15:13 PM
Not at fault? I'm pretty sure you were at fault, mister I slam the brake the second I see a yellow light.

Francis, Insurance Rep.*

*not really.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 06:32:21 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 21, 2011, 06:15:13 PM
Not at fault? I'm pretty sure you were at fault, mister I slam the brake the second I see a yellow light.

Francis, Insurance Rep.*

*not really.
I was in the middle lane of a three-lane street.  The cars to the sides of me also stopped rather than went through the light, so I couldn't have been that unreasonably cautious.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Caliga on September 21, 2011, 06:39:45 PM
I think you made a mistake by not reporting it to your insurance company.  FWIW I was in an 'accident' once, in that I was idling in a parking lot and a dude backed his car into mine.  We both reported it to our insurance companies, and it didn't affect my rate.  I did however get a nice $800 settlement, which I was supposed to use to replace my left rear quarter panel.  I instead fixed the dent with a 2x4 and a rubber mallet.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 21, 2011, 06:55:10 PM
This is how romances start.  At least according to Hollywood.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 21, 2011, 09:50:46 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 21, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
You should have blackmailed the chick for trim.

Beeb, where did you get that you shouldn't report a not at fault accident?

Law here is no duty to report an accident <$1000 damages, which is what this sounds like.  In any event reporting an accident really doesn't do much one way or another in terms of a civil claim.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 21, 2011, 10:48:36 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 21, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
You should have blackmailed the chick for trim.

Duh.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 21, 2011, 10:56:27 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 21, 2011, 10:48:36 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on September 21, 2011, 05:41:10 PM
You should have blackmailed the chick for trim.

Duh.

Dguller never learns.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Habbaku on September 21, 2011, 11:01:41 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 05:38:36 PM
I'm just going to assume that you all were disappointed when you got to the end, and found out that I made it out alive.

:lol:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 21, 2011, 11:07:56 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 21, 2011, 04:59:04 PM
By the way, is a deep gouge in a bumper even worth fixing?  Could I just estimate the loss of resale value to my car, and ask for that from the girl?  I already have some minor damage on my car anyway.

Here's what you do:  get an estimate on the bumper, send it to the girl directly so her mom knows you're not railroading her, and tell her you'll accept a check in exchange for a covenant not to sue.  That'll do the trick.

And ask if she's free on Friday.  If not, ask the Mom.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:05:48 AM
I got an $850 estimate to fix the rear bumper.  I'm thinking of offering the girl to pay $1,000 to settle everything, and compensate me for the estimate as well as inconvenience.  Is that the right approach?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 22, 2011, 11:09:17 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:05:48 AM
I got an $850 estimate to fix the rear bumper.  I'm thinking of offering the girl to pay $1,000 to settle everything, and compensate me for the estimate as well as inconvenience.  Is that the right approach?

No, the right approach is to ask for $850.

If you took this to court they're only going to award you amounts you can show an actual loss for.  Do you have any  other loss?  Have you had to take time off of work?  Any out of pocket expenses?

You don't get squat for "inconvenience".
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Malthus on September 22, 2011, 11:13:56 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:05:48 AM
I got an $850 estimate to fix the rear bumper.  I'm thinking of offering the girl to pay $1,000 to settle everything, and compensate me for the estimate as well as inconvenience.  Is that the right approach?

Best approach is to document your expenses. Get your estimate in writing, send the girl a copy of that estimate.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Barrister on September 22, 2011, 11:09:17 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:05:48 AM
I got an $850 estimate to fix the rear bumper.  I'm thinking of offering the girl to pay $1,000 to settle everything, and compensate me for the estimate as well as inconvenience.  Is that the right approach?

No, the right approach is to ask for $850.

If you took this to court they're only going to award you amounts you can show an actual loss for.  Do you have any  other loss?  Have you had to take time off of work?  Any out of pocket expenses?

You don't get squat for "inconvenience".
Lost half a day of work, and will probably spend some time and money on alternate transportation when actually getting the car fixed. 

And, on top of it, I am doing her a favor by not reporting the accident.  I'm unlikley to lose anything if I just do everything by the book.  The point of settling is that we're settling, not fighting it out.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:27:02 AM
Then again, I might just go for $850 if that helps settle things amicably, and chalk up the rest of the costs/inconvenience to "shit happens".
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 22, 2011, 11:30:19 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:17:23 AM
Quote from: Barrister on September 22, 2011, 11:09:17 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 11:05:48 AM
I got an $850 estimate to fix the rear bumper.  I'm thinking of offering the girl to pay $1,000 to settle everything, and compensate me for the estimate as well as inconvenience.  Is that the right approach?

No, the right approach is to ask for $850.

If you took this to court they're only going to award you amounts you can show an actual loss for.  Do you have any  other loss?  Have you had to take time off of work?  Any out of pocket expenses?

You don't get squat for "inconvenience".
Lost half a day of work, and will probably spend some time and money on alternate transportation when actually getting the car fixed. 

And, on top of it, I am doing her a favor by not reporting the accident.  I'm unlikley to lose anything if I just do everything by the book.  The point of settling is that we're settling, not fighting it out.

If you can document your expenses, then ask for them.

But remember you're also doing yourself a favour by simply resolving this matter in a quick fashion.

And there is something to sending her the $850 estimate and calling it a day, as that might be even quicker.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Zanza on September 22, 2011, 11:49:10 AM
You should ask for th $850 + the price for an alternate car while your car is fixed. That's reasonable and seems to be the norm here.

If you want to sell your car at some point in the future, you should fix it. If it is dented, it is quite likely to rust in that spot if you don't fix it.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Capetan Mihali on September 22, 2011, 12:02:34 PM
I plowed into some broad in Knoxville and destroyed both of our cars.  She was a law student too.   :lol:  Just thought you should know.   :hug:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: MadImmortalMan on September 22, 2011, 12:45:52 PM
Next time lay off the brakes.  :P
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 01:00:14 PM
I e-mailed the girl the estimate.  I left it pretty open-ended, I just asked her to tell me soon what she wanted to do.  Hopefully she makes the first offer.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Eddie Teach on September 22, 2011, 01:30:35 PM
You still haven't commented on her appearance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 01:38:12 PM
I'd definitely hit it, and not in the kind of way that started this thread in the first place.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 22, 2011, 02:00:26 PM
Crashing into an insurance actuary is probably as bad crashing into a lawyer.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 02:13:39 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 22, 2011, 02:00:26 PM
Crashing into an insurance actuary is probably as bad crashing into a lawyer.
Not as much as you'd think.  I'm nearly as clueless as the next guy when it comes to detailed insurance policy things.  Underwriters, claim adjusters, or insurance agents are the ones who have detailed real-world knowledge.  Actuaries are generals, not ground troops, of insurance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: MadImmortalMan on September 22, 2011, 03:45:59 PM
Out of curiosity, what kind of investments does your company make with the premiums your customers give you? Everything's in the shitter, and bonds aren't paying anything. Do they generally sit on a pile of cash?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 22, 2011, 03:54:50 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 22, 2011, 03:45:59 PM
Out of curiosity, what kind of investments does your company make with the premiums your customers give you? Everything's in the shitter, and bonds aren't paying anything. Do they generally sit on a pile of cash?
My company is a consulting company (sort of).  We don't actually have insurance business of our own.  I'm also not at all familiar with the financial side of things.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:24:08 PM
The girl's told me to talk to her father, and her father thinks the estimate is outrageous, and he was basically being a dick.  He offered me $400, and I said no, thanks.  He says he's going to go through insurance, so I guess I will have to as well.  He called me unreasonable.  :lol:

In hindsight, I regret not getting a police report right there and then.  I thought the girl was reasonable, and she is, but her parents are a piece of work.  I guess some people just can't appreciate when you're trying to do them a favor, and after they asked you for a favor at that.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:29:37 PM
Eh, the girl just called me back, and wants to restart negotiations.  I think I'm going to keep speaking to that girl, she seems like the only reasonable one in the family.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 23, 2011, 06:36:36 PM
Demand one night with the girl.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:48:33 PM
The agreement is for me to drive to the place they know and trust, get an estimate, and if I choose to repair my car there, her dad will drive me from and to the shop when I'm without car.   :ph34r:  Hopefully I won't get murdered along the way, the family is Italian.  :ph34r:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 23, 2011, 07:23:07 PM
Bring backup.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Caliga on September 23, 2011, 07:38:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:24:08 PM
In hindsight, I regret not getting a police report right there and then. 
This is what happens when you don't call Cal before it's time to make a significant decision. :(
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Caliga on September 23, 2011, 07:38:49 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:48:33 PM
The agreement is for me to drive to the place they know and trust, get an estimate, and if I choose to repair my car there, her dad will drive me from and to the shop when I'm without car.   :ph34r:  Hopefully I won't get murdered along the way, the family is Italian.  :ph34r:
I believe that is an offer you can't refuse. :)
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 08:20:44 PM
Her dad called me back, left a voicemail, and told me that I'm going to have to pay a deductible anyway if I go through insurance, and to think about that.  "You're going to have to pay some money out of pocket anyway".   :lol:  I don't think he realizes who he's talking to when it comes to insurance.   :lol:  That guy should really leave his daughter do the talking, especially when his daughter already smoothed things over.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 23, 2011, 08:23:57 PM
Have his knees broken. You can call your pals in Brighton Beach.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 23, 2011, 09:07:33 PM
The one bright spot is Italian dads are totally cool when you fuck their daughters.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 23, 2011, 09:48:11 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 06:48:33 PM
The agreement is for me to drive to the place they know and trust, get an estimate, and if I choose to repair my car there, her dad will drive me from and to the shop when I'm without car.   :ph34r:  Hopefully I won't get murdered along the way, the family is Italian.  :ph34r:

Fuck it.  Go through your insurance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 10:28:36 PM
You know what, you're right.  I had this nagging feeling that this isn't a good idea, but I really hate goong back on my word.  However, I just realized that I don't owe them anything, and that I can't trust them anymore.  I will give the daughter the bad news tomorrow.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 23, 2011, 10:43:46 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 23, 2011, 10:28:36 PM
You know what, you're right.  I had this nagging feeling that this isn't a good idea, but I really hate goong back on my word.  However, I just realized that I don't owe them anything, and that I can't trust them anymore.  I will give the daughter the bad news tomorrow.

The idea is that if you take care of it quick and easy then it saves both of you the risk of an increase in rates.  But you need to do it quickly.  If they start dragging things out for weeks then you're compromised when you do go through your insurance company.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Tonitrus on September 23, 2011, 11:00:53 PM
Gotta agree with BB.  Go for a ride with a guy who starts off with a severe negative impression?

No sale.  Dad hath spoiled the milk.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DontSayBanana on September 24, 2011, 07:28:07 AM
Dad's trying to shave the numbers; he's probably the one who's going to end up paying the daughter's higher insurance anyway.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 10:22:58 AM
Yes, insurance is in his name.  Anyway, I'm going to give the daughter a call.  I'm going to tell just inform her that I'm going through insurance, and see if she volunteers  to pay the full estimate.  At this point the only possible way I'm going to settle is if I get a check for the estimate I have, with a very tight deadline for getting the check.  I wasted enough time on this nonsense already.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Habbaku on September 24, 2011, 11:07:27 AM
To add insult to injury, you should explain to her why you're going through insurance if you do that.  :smarty:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 02:19:03 PM
I'm trying to call the girl, and can't get to her.  Fuck that, I've bent over backwards far more than any reasonable person should've up to this point.

My decision is final, I'm making a claim.  Just one question, is there anything I should not go out of my way of mentioning to GEICO, like my attempt to settle without getting insurance involved, or declining to have the police report?  Or do I have nothing to worry about, and should just go ahead and trust my insurance company with everything?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:12:33 PM
Claim filed. :contract: The dad basically talked himself into it.  I was told by GEICO that they definitely consider the girl to be at fault, which is not surprising, but reassuring nonetheless.  They didn't seem to take issue with me trying to settle this or not getting the police report.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:43:43 PM
This story gets more interesting.  Now her parents call me and bitch me out, and claim I was running a red light.   :lol:  Then the dad informs me "I know where you live, you motherfucking cocksucker."  Now that's not funny.  Should I call police right now?  Please advise me ASAP, for obvious reasons.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Iormlund on September 24, 2011, 03:50:21 PM
No good deed goes unpunished.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Habbaku on September 24, 2011, 03:52:07 PM
 :lol:  New Jersey.  Call the police.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 24, 2011, 03:53:06 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:43:43 PM
This story gets more interesting.  Now her parents call me and bitch me out, and claim I was running a red light.   :lol:  Then the dad informs me "I know where you live, you motherfucking cocksucker."  Now that's not funny.  Should I call police right now?  Please advise me ASAP, for obvious reasons.

Couldn't hurt.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:57:37 PM
Quote from: Iormlund on September 24, 2011, 03:50:21 PM
No good deed goes unpunished.
No shit.  One valuable lesson learned that it doesn't pay to be nice when legal matters are involved.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 03:58:14 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:43:43 PM
This story gets more interesting.  Now her parents call me and bitch me out, and claim I was running a red light.   :lol:  Then the dad informs me "I know where you live, you motherfucking cocksucker."  Now that's not funny.  Should I call police right now?  Please advise me ASAP, for obvious reasons.

Like you need an answer to that.  Call the police, start collecting report numbers.
Call your insurance company anyway.  Have them go after The Sopranos.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 24, 2011, 04:00:51 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 03:58:14 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:43:43 PM
This story gets more interesting.  Now her parents call me and bitch me out, and claim I was running a red light.   :lol:  Then the dad informs me "I know where you live, you motherfucking cocksucker."  Now that's not funny.  Should I call police right now?  Please advise me ASAP, for obvious reasons.

Like you need an answer to that.  Call the police, start collecting report numbers.
Call your insurance company anyway.  Have them go after The Sopranos.

DG's question reminds me of the Languish medical threads. My Arm is numb and smells like stinky cheese. Should I go to the doctor?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:08:46 PM
I was just wondering if that's a common thing to say when you just get a call from your insurance company, and whether it would be best to just let things cool down.  Then again I thought to myself, why am I making things easy for these assholes?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 24, 2011, 04:15:18 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:08:46 PM
I was just wondering if that's a common thing to say when you just get a call from your insurance company, and whether it would be best to just let things cool down.  Then again I thought to myself, why am I making things easy for these assholes?

You don't owe those wop fucks a thing. Fuck 'em in the ass. And that was before Papa Wop threatened you. Fuck him. File a complaint. Lock your doors. Shoot the motherfucker if he appears on your property.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:19:48 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:08:46 PM
I was just wondering if that's a common thing to say when you just get a call from your insurance company, and whether it would be best to just let things cool down.  Then again I thought to myself, why am I making things easy for these assholes?

You're being a pussy, and they know that.

I know how this is going to end.  You're not getting your bumper fixed, you're not getting any money from them.  Might as well end this thread now.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 24, 2011, 04:23:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:08:46 PM
I was just wondering if that's a common thing to say when you just get a call from your insurance company, and whether it would be best to just let things cool down.  Then again I thought to myself, why am I making things easy for these assholes?

It's not a common thing.  Fuck 'em.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:27:45 PM
I've already made the claim, that's why the father threatened me.  I'm sure at this point my car is fine, and so are the payments relating to it.

In other news, two JCPD guys came to my apartment, and we had a 10 minute talk about the physical threats.  Right now there is an event number, but no report yet.  If dad's shit continues, then I should file a harassment report, with the dad's information.  If dad somehow makes it past the doorman to my apartment, I should call 911.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Habbaku on September 24, 2011, 04:30:17 PM
I doubt you're getting laid at this point, DG, but at least you aren't getting fucked.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:34:22 PM
Quote from: Habbaku on September 24, 2011, 04:30:17 PM
I doubt you're getting laid at this point, DG, but at least you aren't getting fucked.
I may be getting whacked, though.  :(
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
How old is this daughter?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:37:42 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
How old is this daughter?
Turns out she's 26.  She looked younger than that.  Kinda surprising she's still living with her parents and has her parents deal with her mess, but then again, they are Italian.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 24, 2011, 04:39:26 PM
Feed your doorman a treat so he doesn't "forget" to screen the Wops.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:45:59 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:37:42 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
How old is this daughter?
Turns out she's 26.  She looked younger than that.  Kinda surprising she's still living with her parents and has her parents deal with her mess, but then again, they are Italian.

So she's of legal age?  Then why are you dealing with Dad?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: HVC on September 24, 2011, 04:58:45 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 03:43:43 PM
This story gets more interesting.  Now her parents call me and bitch me out, and claim I was running a red light.   :lol:  Then the dad informs me "I know where you live, you motherfucking cocksucker."  Now that's not funny.  Should I call police right now?  Please advise me ASAP, for obvious reasons.
How does he figure you ran a red light and got rear ended? :lol: Anyway, make sure your door is locked :ph34r:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Eddie Teach on September 24, 2011, 05:03:56 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 21, 2011, 06:55:10 PM
This is how romances start.  At least according to Hollywood.

The over-the-top friction with the dad is another sign. Guller's been pulled into a rom-com.  :)
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 05:12:49 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:45:59 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:37:42 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
How old is this daughter?
Turns out she's 26.  She looked younger than that.  Kinda surprising she's still living with her parents and has her parents deal with her mess, but then again, they are Italian.

So she's of legal age?  Then why are you dealing with Dad?
His car, his policy, and she forwarded me to him.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Capetan Mihali on September 24, 2011, 05:30:34 PM
I wrecked my dad's 1998 Toyota Camry with someone else's dad's 2001 Nissan Maxima in Knoxville.  But I've never owned a car.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on September 24, 2011, 05:38:39 PM
Quote from: Habbaku on September 24, 2011, 03:52:07 PM
:lol:  New Jersey.

:yes:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 05:51:20 PM
They're from upstate New York, actually.    :P

Now the daughter called me and bitched me out that I went back on our agreement.  I did, but I did try to call her multiple times beforehand.  She claims she was at work and couldn't talk.  Maybe, too bad for her.  In her situation, I would've found a way. 

Anyway, I'm done talking with all of them, and I will inform the next one out of that retarded family that I already talked to police about the dad's threats, and they advised me to stop discussing matters with them.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on September 24, 2011, 05:52:13 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 05:51:20 PM
They're from upstate New York, actually.    :P

Same difference?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 06:03:28 PM
And this is why you never take advice from attorneys outside your jurisdiction.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 06:07:46 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 06:03:28 PM
And this is why you never take advice from attorneys outside your jurisdiction.
I don't think that a family being fucking nuts is a jurisdictional issue.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 06:46:37 PM
Quote from: Maximus on September 21, 2011, 05:41:30 PM
Hell you didn't even flip the car.
I guess this this minor car accident did turn into a major trainwreck after all.  :lol:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 08:22:17 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 06:07:46 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 06:03:28 PM
And this is why you never take advice from attorneys outside your jurisdiction.
I don't think that a family being fucking nuts is a jurisdictional issue.
Their advice was fucking terrible.  I was trying to be nice and blame it on jurisdiction.  Oh well.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 08:42:58 PM
Go on, elaborate.  Obviously I'm interested in a post-mortem, because this situation should have never gotten to this point.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on September 24, 2011, 09:29:43 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 08:22:17 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 06:07:46 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 24, 2011, 06:03:28 PM
And this is why you never take advice from attorneys outside your jurisdiction.
I don't think that a family being fucking nuts is a jurisdictional issue.
Their advice was fucking terrible.  I was trying to be nice and blame it on jurisdiction.  Oh well.

I stand by my advice.  The worst case scenario DG winds up in exactly the same situation as if he would've reported anyways.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 10:10:10 PM
And FWIW, I think your advice has been sensible throughout the thread. :hug: It's not your fault the family (hopefully not The Family) has been anything but sensible.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Iormlund on September 25, 2011, 06:24:25 AM
Yeah, it doesn't always have to end like that. I once rear-ended a truck and cracked the plastic cover of his rear right lights. The Mercedes dealership was just 50m away from the site. We walked there, I bought him a new one and we both went our merry ways.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on September 25, 2011, 06:42:01 AM
One time I hit a car but it turned out to be driven by (probably) illegal immigrants.  Score!

Really minor damage, anyway.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on September 25, 2011, 08:17:42 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2011, 06:42:01 AM
One time I hit a car but it turned out to be driven by (probably) illegal immigrants.  Score!



As a full blooded citizen you should have had the right for their papers and if they had none, summarily execute them.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:04:57 AM
I'm going to be in Manhattan today.  Given that the family is coming up with a bullshit theory about me running a red light, should I get a police accident report from the precinct there?  Does it matter?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 25, 2011, 10:10:57 AM
I thought if you were doing to ding her insurance you had to get an accident report.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 25, 2011, 10:16:10 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:04:57 AM
I'm going to be in Manhattan today.  Given that the family is coming up with a bullshit theory about me running a red light, should I get a police accident report from the precinct there?  Does it matter?

How did you running a red light cause her to ding you in the rear?  Unless you were running it in reverse.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:23:24 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 25, 2011, 10:16:10 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:04:57 AM
I'm going to be in Manhattan today.  Given that the family is coming up with a bullshit theory about me running a red light, should I get a police accident report from the precinct there?  Does it matter?

How did you running a red light cause her to ding you in the rear?  Unless you were running it in reverse.
Don't ask me, I'm not a retard, so I can't understand the logic of that one.  From what I was able to make out from the mom's rant, apparently the daughter thought I was going to run the red light, so she was surprised when I stopped on the sidewalk.  Apart from the fact that I did not in fact stop on the sidewalk, and was well in line with the cars to the side of me, I don't see how this helps them regardless, but maybe they worked on their story in the mean time.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:35:26 AM
I informed GEICO about the red light theory, and the threats, and they said I should get a report if I can.  However, they reassured me that even if the story is true, that still doesn't vindicate the other party, and that I would be judged to not be at fault regardless.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 25, 2011, 10:41:22 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:23:24 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on September 25, 2011, 10:16:10 AM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:04:57 AM
I'm going to be in Manhattan today.  Given that the family is coming up with a bullshit theory about me running a red light, should I get a police accident report from the precinct there?  Does it matter?

How did you running a red light cause her to ding you in the rear?  Unless you were running it in reverse.
Don't ask me, I'm not a retard, so I can't understand the logic of that one.  From what I was able to make out from the mom's rant, apparently the daughter thought I was going to run the red light, so she was surprised when I stopped on the sidewalk.  Apart from the fact that I did not in fact stop on the sidewalk, and was well in line with the cars to the side of me, I don't see how this helps them regardless, but maybe they worked on their story in the mean time.

As a retard, I still don't understand this.  Why was she driving on the sidewalk?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 10:45:03 AM
Sorry, that retarded part was mine.  I meant crosswalk.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 25, 2011, 10:58:58 AM
That helps a little.  Still, I don't think you can make a case out of that.  I was always under the impression that in a rear end collision the fault lies with the guy behind.  And her not expecting you to stop at a red light does not make a compelling argument.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 12:30:08 PM
Yeah, if I were trying to weasel out of that kind of crash, I would take the opposite approach, and claim that the guy stopped suddenly at a green light.  Of course, I wouldn't even make up that story when a cop watches the whole thing unfold.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: sbr on September 25, 2011, 12:35:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 12:30:08 PM
Yeah, if I were trying to weasel out of that kind of crash, I would take the opposite approach, and claim that the guy stopped suddenly at a green light.  Of course, I wouldn't even make up that story when a cop watches the whole thing unfold.

There was a cop right there and you didn't get a report at the scene?  I understand not wanting to wait around for a cop to show up but even if you were planning on not going through insurance you still should have gotten the report. 
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 12:39:16 PM
Quote from: sbr on September 25, 2011, 12:35:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 12:30:08 PM
Yeah, if I were trying to weasel out of that kind of crash, I would take the opposite approach, and claim that the guy stopped suddenly at a green light.  Of course, I wouldn't even make up that story when a cop watches the whole thing unfold.

There was a cop right there and you didn't get a report at the scene?  I understand not wanting to wait around for a cop to show up but even if you were planning on not going through insurance you still should have gotten the report.
Insurance companies are notified when a report is made.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 25, 2011, 01:50:37 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 12:39:16 PM
Insurance companies are notified when a report is made.

Not always.

Besides, red light or not, it's still incumbent upon the driver following you to maintain an appropriate distance.  Doesn't matter if you slam on your brakes for a red light you've changed you mind on or you see a unicorn off in the distance, there is no legal excuse for failure to maintain a safe distance.  So, their argument is null and void anyhow.  In Maryland, she would've been issued a traffic citation.  The ass end of your vehicle is sacred ground, and legally protected accordingly.  There's no such thing as a no-fault ass-ending from the driver behind you; it's their responsibility to maintain appropriate distance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 25, 2011, 02:05:15 PM
That's what the PA cop on the scene said.  Maybe he just wanted to get out of doing paperwork, who knows.  :lol:  Anyway, hopefully the crazy family did tell that story to Progressive.  Overworked claims adjusters need a laugh on their work once in a while.  If they did, then they did all the work for me, as if I needed any help.

In other news, while being in Manhattan, I decided to drive down to the 1st Precinct to see if I could get the accident report made.  Evidently, I forgot what city I was in, because when I got there, not only was there no parking space for voluntary visitors, but there wasn't even nearly enough space for patrol cars.  Bunch of patrol cars were parked one or two blocks away.  New York can be such a FIAL sometimes.  :lol:  Anyway, not wanting to add a citation to my list of paperwork, I decided to drive home without the trip to the precinct.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Capetan Mihali on September 25, 2011, 06:29:08 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2011, 06:42:01 AM
One time I hit a car but it turned out to be driven by (probably) illegal immigrants.  Score!

Really minor damage, anyway.

My summer roommate in Knoxville said the shakedown in his hometown (Morristown, Tenn.) was to demand immediate cash payment from immigration-status-uncertain individuals even for minor damage, in return for not calling the cops. 
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Neil on September 25, 2011, 07:12:03 PM
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on September 25, 2011, 06:29:08 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2011, 06:42:01 AM
One time I hit a car but it turned out to be driven by (probably) illegal immigrants.  Score!

Really minor damage, anyway.

My summer roommate in Knoxville said the shakedown in his hometown (Morristown, Tenn.) was to demand immediate cash payment from immigration-status-uncertain individuals even for minor damage, in return for not calling the cops.
That sounds fair.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on September 26, 2011, 12:56:58 AM
Quote from: Capetan Mihali on September 25, 2011, 06:29:08 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 25, 2011, 06:42:01 AM
One time I hit a car but it turned out to be driven by (probably) illegal immigrants.  Score!

Really minor damage, anyway.

My summer roommate in Knoxville said the shakedown in his hometown (Morristown, Tenn.) was to demand immediate cash payment from immigration-status-uncertain individuals even for minor damage, in return for not calling the cops.

Wow, that's fucked up.  See, I like to keep my exploitation minimal.  Take only pictures, leave only DNA samples.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Scipio on September 26, 2011, 02:09:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 08:42:58 PM
Go on, elaborate.  Obviously I'm interested in a post-mortem, because this situation should have never gotten to this point.
Well, you still don't have a police report; you've been threatened by some dago, and you're insured by GEICO.  BTW, GEICO would have gotten your police report.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on September 26, 2011, 02:53:13 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 04:37:42 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 24, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
How old is this daughter?
Turns out she's 26.  She looked younger than that.  Kinda surprising she's still living with her parents and has her parents deal with her mess, but then again, they are Italian.

See this could have become one of those sexy romantic comedy thingies, and you screwed it up. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2011, 06:02:05 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 26, 2011, 02:09:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 08:42:58 PM
Go on, elaborate.  Obviously I'm interested in a post-mortem, because this situation should have never gotten to this point.
Well, you still don't have a police report; you've been threatened by some dago, and you're insured by GEICO.  BTW, GEICO would have gotten your police report.

Let's face the harsh reality:  weeks from now, this'll all end with DGuller cutting them a check instead.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on September 26, 2011, 06:31:00 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2011, 06:02:05 PM
Let's face the harsh reality:  weeks from now, this'll all end with DGuller cutting them a check instead.

Only if Tony pulls out the bolt cutter.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 26, 2011, 07:10:11 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 26, 2011, 06:02:05 PM
Quote from: Scipio on September 26, 2011, 02:09:30 PM
Quote from: DGuller on September 24, 2011, 08:42:58 PM
Go on, elaborate.  Obviously I'm interested in a post-mortem, because this situation should have never gotten to this point.
Well, you still don't have a police report; you've been threatened by some dago, and you're insured by GEICO.  BTW, GEICO would have gotten your police report.

Let's face the harsh reality:  weeks from now, this'll all end with DGuller cutting them a check instead.
:huh:  How's that even possible?  AFAIK, once insurance gets involved, it can't get uninvolved.  Unless Fat Tony puts my head in the vice and asks to write out a check, I don't see how even me being a total pussy would lead to writing a check.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Neil on September 26, 2011, 07:29:46 PM
He'll convince you to say that you lied and that you backed into his daughter, and then they'll sue you for 'whiplash'.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 29, 2011, 10:23:19 AM
GEICO looked at my car, and it may actually turn out that the repairs would be more extensive than my original estimate assumed.  They won't know until they take the bumper off, but they said that energy absorbent material behind the bumper might be damaged as well.  They also want to replace the entire bumper, rather than just part of it like my first estimate guy, which is going to be much more expensive.  It's possible I may have dodged a bullet, at least in the financial sense.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on September 29, 2011, 12:42:23 PM
Got a call from the GEICO claims adjuster, and the final damage is $830.  Turns out the first estimate I got was right on, and I wasn't being ripped off. 

That actually makes me feel better.  If I got a $300 estimate from GEICO, the nutty family would be just a little justified in their response (up until the physical threat part anyway).
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 04, 2011, 11:51:23 AM
Got my car back just now.  It looks like the body shop did a really good job, though I guess you never know until you put some miles on it.  They even fixed the damage from a prior parking mishap, even though I specifically pointed out that it was a prior damage, to avoid any unintentional insurance fraud.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: HVC on October 04, 2011, 11:53:50 AM
You still haven't woken up next to a severed horse head?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 04, 2011, 11:59:02 AM
No, I don't keep any kinds of severed heads in my bed, that's unsanitary.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 01:20:50 AM
 :rolleyes: For fuck's sake, this isn't funny.  :mad:

I was getting onto BQE in Brooklyn, and just as I sped up to full speed from the ramp, I hit a pothole big time.  I could immediately tell from the subtle cues in the steering wheel that something got knackered.  Sure enough, low tire sensor came on.  I guess that was the cheapest part that I could've broken.

Unfortunately, I picked the worst place to pop a tire.  BQE has 60 mph traffic, and no shoulder.  I limped along for a couple of miles with my hazards on, trying to look for any place to stop and take a look.  Finally I found just enough space on the exit 24 to Prospect Expressway, fitting in inside the fork between the construction cones.  I knew that both BQE and Prospect Expressway have no good places to stop for at least a couple of more miles, so that was the best I could do.

I get out, and sure enough, my left front tire is totally flat.  I call 911, since I was still in a very dangerous location, and a tow truck came.  It would cost $80 to tow me away from the exit, and $50 more to change the tire.  I wasn't going to learn how to change the tire myself at 10 pm in a seedy part of Brooklyn, so that was my only choice.  The kicker was that I had to pay cash.

As luck would have it, I was driving to a poker game, so I actually did have that much cash on me, and that would be the only time I would have that much cash.  I guess I have to be lucky sometime.  The tow truck drives me away to a safe location, and the guy puts on my spare.  I get to my poker game an hour and fifteen minutes late.

I guess poker gods thought I had enough torment for tonight.  I was running really well and made good decisions, and wound up winning $800, so I guess I came out ahead for the night, even after factoring in the cost of the new tire I would have to get tomorrow.  But, still, enough of the shit with the car, this is getting old.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Zoupa on October 05, 2011, 01:48:08 AM
Easy on the card games there dude.

We play for 20 bucks a round.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Zoupa on October 05, 2011, 01:48:40 AM
I mean original buy in or whatever that's called.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Eddie Teach on October 05, 2011, 01:49:06 AM
Maybe you should do like garbon, rent an overpriced cupboard in the city and ride the subway or walk everywhere.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: 11B4V on October 05, 2011, 02:01:01 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 01:20:50 AM
I get out, and sure enough, my left front tire is totally flat.  I call 911, since I was still in a very dangerous location, and a tow truck came.  It would cost $80 to tow me away from the exit, and $50 more to change the tire.  I wasn't going to learn how to change the tire myself at 10 pm in a seedy part of Brooklyn, so that was my only choice.  The kicker was that I had to pay cash.


Get AAA or one of the other. Learn how to change a tire. It's not that hard.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 05, 2011, 02:37:28 AM
Obviously, dgul isn't mature enough to own a car. Handover your keys! :angry:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 05, 2011, 02:38:52 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 05, 2011, 01:49:06 AM
Maybe you should do like garbon, rent an overpriced cupboard in the city and ride the subway or walk everywhere.

My cupboard would be overpriced if it was in Manhattan. Right now it is on par with SF parking. ^_^
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 06:00:18 AM
The choice is clear, a new car is in order.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:25:03 AM
Quote from: Zoupa on October 05, 2011, 01:48:08 AM
Easy on the card games there dude.

We play for 20 bucks a round.
:rolleyes: I know what I'm doing, mom.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:28:59 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on October 05, 2011, 02:01:01 AM
Get AAA or one of the other. Learn how to change a tire. It's not that hard.
In this case, even if I knew how, I would still need a tow truck.  I will not be changing a tire at night on NYC highway even if I were an expert, I am not suicidal.  I also wouldn't be driving for miles on a flat tire just to find a place to pull off.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Valdemar on October 05, 2011, 07:43:46 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.

Shop around on the net, there are bound to be cheaper alternatives to the dealer. also, you might need to replace both front/rear tires in the set. It depends on the wear.

V
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DontSayBanana on October 05, 2011, 08:33:37 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.

Hitting a pot hole hard usually doesn't destroy the tire.  Continuing to drive on a flat (although you didn't have much choice in the matter) does, because it destroys the sidewall.  Also, seriously?  Changing a tire is like a 5-minute job, 10 or maybe 15 if the hub's rusted onto the wheel and/or the bolts are stubborn.  You just jack up the car, undo the bolts, give it a kick to make sure it comes off the wheel, put the donut on, put the bolts back on, clean up, and drive away.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on October 05, 2011, 08:53:51 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.

If you hit a pothole then your tire is likely fine.  I'd be more worried about your rim.

Do they not have tire shops in NYC? :unsure:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DontSayBanana on October 05, 2011, 08:57:08 AM
Also, places like Sears or NTB have gotten much better about carrying oddball sizes of tires.  I'm not sure what makes your tire so "unique" unless you're saying you've got run-flats or something.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:58:47 AM
I hit a pot hole last winter & it blew the tire. It's a speed issue, imo. Slow enough and you simply fall & get out of it. Fast enough you fly over it. Just the right speed & it blows up. Happens.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:16:54 AM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on October 05, 2011, 08:33:37 AM
Also, seriously?  Changing a tire is like a 5-minute job, 10 or maybe 15 if the hub's rusted onto the wheel and/or the bolts are stubborn.  You just jack up the car, undo the bolts, give it a kick to make sure it comes off the wheel, put the donut on, put the bolts back on, clean up, and drive away.
There is no fucking way I'm changing a tire on BQE.  If I tried doing that, police would come and give me a ticket for impeding traffic, haul me away for suicide watch, or pick up my body.  A 60 mph highway with substandard width lanes and no shoulder is just no place to change a tire, even if you change tires for a living.  My life is worth more than $130. 

Also, it took the tow truck driver 20 minutes to put on the spare after he drove off to a safe location, and I assume he wasn't learning on the job when he did it.  VW wheels and widowmaker jack are quite tricky to operate.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:18:54 AM
Anyway, I'll drive by to Sears first and see what they say.  Maybe the tire just instantly deflated in a way that doesn't damage it.  I don't know if that's possible these days, but it's worth a try.  I have a Sears 5 minutes away from me.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Was your VW made in Mexicartel?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Barrister on October 05, 2011, 09:21:35 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:18:54 AM
Anyway, I'll drive by to Sears first and see what they say.  Maybe the tire just instantly deflated in a way that doesn't damage it.  I don't know if that's possible these days, but it's worth a try.  I have a Sears 5 minutes away from me.

A large bump could cause the tire to lose its seal, which means there is no damage to the tire itself.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:21:42 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Was your VW made in Mexicartel?
Yes.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 09:42:15 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:21:42 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 09:20:34 AM
Was your VW made in Mexicartel?
Yes.

Poor you.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 09:52:23 AM
Why?  It's been running fine when not hitting objects or holes.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:09:16 AM
Wait a moment...  You claim to have helped put together a race car, yet you've never changed a tire. :huh:  That's like basic maintenance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 10:11:31 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:09:16 AM
Wait a moment...  You claim to have helped put together a race car, yet you've never changed a tire. :huh:  That's like basic maintenance.
It's easier to work on a 500 lb car in a workshop, on top of a stand, than it is to work on a 3200 lb production car in the middle of a poorly-designed highway.   And, as a matter of fact, I've never had to change a tire either on a race car or on my car.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:16:39 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 10:11:31 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:09:16 AM
Wait a moment...  You claim to have helped put together a race car, yet you've never changed a tire. :huh:  That's like basic maintenance.
It's easier to work on a 500 lb car in a workshop, on top of a stand, than it is to work on a 3200 lb production car in the middle of a poorly-designed highway.   And, as a matter of fact, I've never had to change a tire either on a race car or on my car.

I find this very bizarre.  Do you know how to check the oil?  Replace a headlight?  I've changed lots of tires, and everything in Missouri is poorly designed.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 10:17:35 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:16:39 AM
I find this very bizarre.  Do you know how to check the oil?  Replace a headlight?  I've changed lots of tires, and everything in Missouri is poorly designed.
I know how to do all those things, I have the dealership location saved on my GPS.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Habbaku on October 05, 2011, 10:19:00 AM
 :lol:  Oh, dear.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
I defended you when everyone was making fun of your car club thing.  I think they were right now.  Fuck, I learned how to do these kind of things before I learned to drive.  These are basic things a father teaches a son.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 10:22:37 AM
Eh, I don't know how to change an headlight either. I suppose that day will eventually come but I hope I won't have to learn it on a busy highway.

You guys are all dodging DG's main point of why he didn't change his tire. It's on a shoulder-less highway.

Street view of it : http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=bqe+new+york+city&hl=en&ll=40.69866,-73.996823&spn=0.000065,0.040941&sll=11.299203,-15.838754&sspn=0.087365,0.163765&vpsrc=6&hq=bqe&hnear=New+York,+United+States&t=h&fll=40.699479,-73.989272&fspn=0.016886,0.040941&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.69866,-73.996823&panoid=hNiGr15rdhMkS92eSF8pmQ&cbp=12,10.24,,0,25.75
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 10:34:44 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:20:58 AM
I defended you when everyone was making fun of your car club thing.  I think they were right now.  Fuck, I learned how to do these kind of things before I learned to drive.  These are basic things a father teaches a son.
I'm the first driver in the family.  Anyway, there is a world of difference between a very crude and basic racecar, and a production car that has every nook and cranny filled with some equipment, and a lot of it sealed. 

Our racecar was very basic; the only stuff it had was the stuff needed to make it go, and the roll cage to protect you in an accident.  Nothing else was on it: no AC, no radio, no windshield wipers, no electronics besides basic engine ECU, nothing.  There was plenty of clearance and access to different parts, and you knew exactly what each part did.  I also did not service the complicated parts of the car like the engine, or any of the fluid lines, where some expertise is required.

Production cars these days are filled with all kinds of stuff, and you really have to know what you're doing besides the very basic stuff.  I know enough to know what I don't know, and given how rarely I need to service my car, and how extremely inconcenient it is to do it in a city where there is no space to work on it, it's just not worth it to learn.

Besides, when I made claims based on my racecar experience, I was talking about knowing how cars work from an engineering perspective.  I wasn't talking about knowing how to service cars.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 10:35:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 10:22:37 AM
You guys are all dodging DG's main point of why he didn't change his tire. It's on a shoulder-less highway.
:yes:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 05, 2011, 10:43:27 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 10:22:37 AM
Eh, I don't know how to change an headlight either. I suppose that day will eventually come but I hope I won't have to learn it on a busy highway.

You guys are all dodging DG's main point of why he didn't change his tire. It's on a shoulder-less highway.

Street view of it : http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=bqe+new+york+city&hl=en&ll=40.69866,-73.996823&spn=0.000065,0.040941&sll=11.299203,-15.838754&sspn=0.087365,0.163765&vpsrc=6&hq=bqe&hnear=New+York,+United+States&t=h&fll=40.699479,-73.989272&fspn=0.016886,0.040941&z=15&layer=c&cbll=40.69866,-73.996823&panoid=hNiGr15rdhMkS92eSF8pmQ&cbp=12,10.24,,0,25.75

Okay, it's acceptable to call a tow truck on a road like that.  Still, not knowing how to change a tire is not acceptable.  My younger Brother couldn't change a tire for years, so every time he got a flat I'd have to drive up to find him and change the stupid thing.  I think has eventually learned how.  He also didn't know how to change the oil until after his first car was ruined due to lack of oil.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 06:22:26 PM
My tire was taken to Sears Auto Center, where it was pronounced dead at 7:05 pm.  The sidewall had a cut in it, which I kinda suspected after I tried to pump up the tire with my bike pump, and the air was hissing out of the side as quickly as it was coming in.  Thankfully they said nothing about the wheel, so I assume it wasn't damaged.  They didn't have my kind of tire, so I couldn't get a new one right there.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 05, 2011, 06:33:06 PM
Ugh, Sears auto center.  :yuk:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Maximus on October 05, 2011, 06:37:36 PM
Do you know if you have road hazard warranty on the tires? If so, take it back to where you got them.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 06:48:44 PM
Quote from: Maximus on October 05, 2011, 06:37:36 PM
Do you know if you have road hazard warranty on the tires? If so, take it back to where you got them.
No, I never take out insurance on the little things I can easily cover, since it's usually so not worth it.  After reading up on BQE, though, I may change my mind. 

I drive there a lot, and it seems like flat tires are just the price of driving on that piece of shit.  There is nothing dumb about adversely selecting against an insurance provider, if they allow it. 

It's probably too late to get it on the existing set, though, I think you pretty much have to buy it right there with the tires, or you miss your chance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: sbr on October 05, 2011, 06:54:27 PM
Is a flat tire really that hard to deal with in parts of this country?

I get all of my tires here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Schwab_Tire_Centers), you can't drive 20 minutes without seeing at least one and they have lifetime warranties on everything they sell.  They even have service trucks that will come out and fix shit for you.

Shall I start a Facebook group about Tire Insecurity?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on October 05, 2011, 06:56:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 05, 2011, 02:37:28 AM
Obviously, dgul isn't mature enough to own a car. Handover your keys! :angry:
No shit.  IN SOVYET RUSSIA, TIRE CHANGES YOU!  Jesus.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 05, 2011, 06:57:18 PM
I don't blame DG for not wanting to change his own tire. That is pleb work.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DontSayBanana on October 05, 2011, 06:57:26 PM
Forget it, DG.  You're busted.  Tire maintenance is by far the most common on a racer, and it works the same way: lift, unbolt, swap, bolt, put down, drive off.

Higher speeds make tires deteriorate faster, especially soft compounds like those used in race tires.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 06:58:43 PM
Quote from: sbr on October 05, 2011, 06:54:27 PM
Is a flat tire really that hard to deal with in parts of this country?

I get all of my tires here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Schwab_Tire_Centers), you can't drive 20 minutes without seeing at least one and they have lifetime warranties on everything they sell.  They even have service trucks that will come out and fix shit for you.

Shall I start a Facebook group about Tire Insecurity?
My main problem, or more like inconvenience, is that Nexen tires aren't commonly sold.  Even Tire Rack doesn't have them, and that's the place that you would expect to have every kind of tire.  To replace a tire that was destroyed, you need to match it to the 3 survivors, you can't just put on the first tire you find that fits your wheel.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:03:24 PM
Quote from: DontSayBanana on October 05, 2011, 06:57:26 PM
Forget it, DG.  You're busted.  Tire maintenance is by far the most common on a racer, and it works the same way: lift, unbolt, swap, bolt, put down, drive off.

Higher speeds make tires deteriorate faster, especially soft compounds like those used in race tires.
:lol: As usual, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. 

We weren't exactly a NASCAR team that goes through 10 sets a weekend.  We were a destitute university team that was barely scraping by, and lucky to have a car that worked reasonably well.

We used a single set for the whole year.  The only time we took off a tire is when we needed to get to something behind it, like a brake disc or a tie rod.  And changing a tire on an open-wheeled formula race car actually bears very little resemblance to changing a tire on a production car or a NASCAR car.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 05, 2011, 07:34:50 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 10:22:37 AM
You guys are all dodging DG's main point of why he didn't change his tire. It's on a shoulder-less highway.

That's fine as I wouldn't change a tire even on a nice road. Not having AAA which will tow it for free on short distances = stupid.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 08:07:13 PM
I searched on the Internet, and it seems like ordering the tire is not worth the trouble.  It would take days to arrive, and after taking shipping into account, I would only save maybe $30. 

I'll call the dealership tomorrow, and ask them to quote how much the whole thing costs.  If it costs as much as I think it does, then I'll just have them do it.  I will make a note for the future to make sure that my next set of tires would be commonly available.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:15:37 PM
I just buy my tire at Canadian Tire.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Jacob on October 05, 2011, 10:12:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:15:37 PM
I just buy my tire at Canadian Tire.

A bit out of the way for dguller, I'd think.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Quote from: Jacob on October 05, 2011, 10:12:52 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 08:15:37 PM
I just buy my tire at Canadian Tire.

A bit out of the way for dguller, I'd think.

A little bit. ;)


Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:46:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.

Now that the sun is up. It's much worse then I expected, both my handles are done for & there's a scratch going along all the length of my car.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:26:16 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.
Of course.  You're the sort of idiot who buys German cars.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:28:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:46:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.

Now that the sun is up. It's much worse then I expected, both my handles are done for & there's a scratch going along all the length of my car.
What the fuck did you do?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:01:27 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:26:16 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.
Of course.  You're the sort of idiot who buys German cars.
Sorry if I want to drive something that's a little more fun than a rolling appliance.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:05:09 AM
I just looked at my spare tire, and I realized that it's probably just an H-rated regular tire, with an ugly wheel mounted.  I think that means that I can ignore the 50 mph / 50 miles rule when driving on it, and take my time with Internet ordering.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Neil on October 06, 2011, 08:24:35 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:01:27 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:26:16 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 05, 2011, 07:39:57 AM
By the way, what's the best way to get a new tire?  Should I just lube up and go the dealership, and pay an extra $75-$100?  I assume my tire is destroyed, hitting a pot hot hole destroyed the carcass of the tire.  My tire is unfortunately not the kind that places like Sears have.
Of course.  You're the sort of idiot who buys German cars.
Sorry if I want to drive something that's a little more fun than a rolling appliance.
Fun. :rolleyes:

Still, you pay heavily for your 'fun'.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:28:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:46:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.

Now that the sun is up. It's much worse then I expected, both my handles are done for & there's a scratch going along all the length of my car.
What the fuck did you do?

Dude didn't let me pass in the traffic. Blocked me.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:33:19 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 08:24:35 AM
Fun. :rolleyes:

Still, you pay heavily for your 'fun'.
I do?  In what way?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Zanza on October 06, 2011, 10:24:07 AM
Usually buying a single tire is not a good idea, you should change both tires on that axis.

You could consider getting run-flat tires so you won't be in a such a bad situation again and can just drive your car to your usual dealership if the tire is flat.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on October 06, 2011, 11:22:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:28:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:46:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.

Now that the sun is up. It's much worse then I expected, both my handles are done for & there's a scratch going along all the length of my car.
What the fuck did you do?

Dude didn't let me pass in the traffic. Blocked me.

So you rammed him?  Good work, Alderson.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 11:23:51 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 06, 2011, 11:22:28 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 07:28:13 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:46:38 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 06, 2011, 06:11:27 AM
Fuck, I scratch 2 of my doors. One is thru to the primer, I'm pretty sure. The other seems to vary but I don't think it went thru to the steel, maybe not the primer either. Sun isn't completely up yet so I'm unsure.

Now that the sun is up. It's much worse then I expected, both my handles are done for & there's a scratch going along all the length of my car.
What the fuck did you do?

Dude didn't let me pass in the traffic. Blocked me.

So you rammed him?  Good work, Alderson.

No, he rammed me. Ineffective block, very good ramming on his part.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 11:42:10 AM
Quote from: Zanza on October 06, 2011, 10:24:07 AM
Usually buying a single tire is not a good idea, you should change both tires on that axis.

You could consider getting run-flat tires so you won't be in a such a bad situation again and can just drive your car to your usual dealership if the tire is flat.
My tires are not that old, and don't have too many miles on them.  I think I should be fine with changing one tire.

As for run-flats, they have many disadvantages.  They give a rouger ride, they weigh more, and they may actually get destroyed more easily by the pot-holes, since they don't give as much.  I've read many stories of BMW drivers going through run-flats like normal cars go through fill ups.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 06, 2011, 11:46:20 AM
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 08:33:19 AM
Quote from: Neil on October 06, 2011, 08:24:35 AM
Fun. :rolleyes:

Still, you pay heavily for your 'fun'.
I do?  In what way?

Well, you live in New Jersey for one...
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 02:41:55 PM
My dealership didn't have the tire in stock, but offered to order it.  I told them to not bother.  If I can't just go there and get it done with, then there is no point in getting bent over.

I went to tire-easy.com, and ordered the tire for $115.  Sears will mount and balance it for $25, and they're right next door, so I don't have to drive far.  The total damage is going to be about $140.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 06, 2011, 02:52:16 PM
Thrilling.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 02:57:18 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 05, 2011, 07:34:50 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 05, 2011, 10:22:37 AM
You guys are all dodging DG's main point of why he didn't change his tire. It's on a shoulder-less highway.

That's fine as I wouldn't change a tire even on a nice road. Not having AAA which will tow it for free on short distances = stupid.
I took a look at AAA, and membership starts at $60 per year.  Do you need AAA that often that it pays for itself?  My guess as an insurance person is that you don't, unless it's set up as a charity.

Does AAA give more benefits other than sell you free stuff that you would normally pay for?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 06, 2011, 03:01:09 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 02:57:18 PM
I took a look at AAA, and membership starts at $60 per year.  Do you need AAA that often that it pays for itself?  My guess as an insurance person is that you don't, unless it's set up as a charity.

Does AAA give more benefits other than sell you free stuff that you would normally pay for?

I don't think I've ever paid AAA anything beyond the yearly membership fee. :unsure:

$60 for free towing even if one uses it once a year is worth it. Free maps of cities and roadways. Discounts at most major hotels, museums, etc.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 06, 2011, 03:08:15 PM
Allstate has a service, but I think it is per tow instead of a membership.

Hell, I'd pay for the mayhem guy to show up. Dean Winters. :wub:

Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 06, 2011, 03:09:53 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 06, 2011, 03:08:15 PM
Hell, I'd pay for the mayhem guy to show up. Dean Winters. :wub:

Me too. :wub:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 03:11:43 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 06, 2011, 03:01:09 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 02:57:18 PM
I took a look at AAA, and membership starts at $60 per year.  Do you need AAA that often that it pays for itself?  My guess as an insurance person is that you don't, unless it's set up as a charity.

Does AAA give more benefits other than sell you free stuff that you would normally pay for?

I don't think I've ever paid AAA anything beyond the yearly membership fee. :unsure:

$60 for free towing even if one uses it once a year is worth it. Free maps of cities and roadways. Discounts at most major hotels, museums, etc.
Well, the membership fee pays for those tows, and the administrative expenses on top of that.  That's what I meant by "sell you free stuff".

Do people actually get towed once a year?  Also, it seems like if you want to get towed a good distance away, you need more than a Basic membership.  That's at least $75 renewal.

Anyway, $75 or $100 a year is not that big amount to sweat over, maybe the guarantee of emergency service without getting ripped off is worth it, even if you're not expected to profit from it.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 06, 2011, 03:13:09 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 03:11:43 PM
Do people actually get towed once a year?  Also, it seems like if you want to get towed a good distance away, you need more than a Basic membership.  That's at least $75 renewal.

Anyway, $75 or $100 a year is not that big amount to sweat over, maybe the guarantee of emergency service without getting ripped off is worth it, even if you're not expected to profit from it.

I've never been towed that far so wasn't an issue.  Between peace of mind and the discounts/maps, I more than break even on the $48/yr renewal.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 06, 2011, 03:15:57 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 06, 2011, 03:08:15 PM
Allstate has a service, but I think it is per tow instead of a membership.

Hell, I'd pay for the mayhem guy to show up. Dean Winters. :wub:
Interestingly enough, earlier that day, when I was picking up my car, I thought that I really need to add rental car coverage and emergency road service coverage to my GEICO policy.  They don't cost a lot, but they're nice to have.  As luck would have it, I of course neglected to actually change my policy that day, and popped the tire that night.  :frusty:

Then again, it probably wouldn't matter.  I think any changes to the policy take effect the next day.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2011, 04:27:23 PM
If you don't know how to change a flat you're a woman.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 04:41:21 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2011, 04:27:23 PM
If you don't know how to change a flat you're a woman.

Sorry DG, but evidence is strongly pointing to you being a pussy.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 08, 2011, 04:48:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2011, 04:27:23 PM
If you don't know how to change a flat you're a woman.
I'm sure I'll figure it out if I have to, I know all the steps.  It's just that I never had a reason to actually practice.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 04:51:27 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 08, 2011, 04:48:25 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2011, 04:27:23 PM
If you don't know how to change a flat you're a woman.
I'm sure I'll figure it out if I have to, I know all the steps.  It's just that I never had a reason to actually practice.

You're like my age aren't you?  Around 30?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 08, 2011, 04:53:38 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 04:51:27 PM
You're like my age aren't you?  Around 30?
I only started driving 3.5 years ago.  I've had a license since I was 19, but never had a car until I was 26.  My family never had a car either.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 05:01:55 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 08, 2011, 04:53:38 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 04:51:27 PM
You're like my age aren't you?  Around 30?
I only started driving 3.5 years ago.  I've had a license since I was 19, but never had a car until I was 26.  My family never had a car either.

You're like my sister then.  Except she never learned to drive.  Or my Grandma who never learned to drive but had a license (back from when you just mailed away for it or something).
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 08, 2011, 05:23:41 PM
You also have to keep in mind that my first car was a brand new German car.  The "I'm really afraid to fuck something up" factor is quite a bit higher with it, than with, say, 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix, and the chance of it is a lot higher due to the vastly increased mechanical complexity.  Even the tow guy struggled for a while with the hub cap design.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 06:26:46 PM
I just came back from the store and saw a teenage girl changing her tire.  Actually it was the second store I was at, because the first one I dropped the case of soda I was buying and it started shooting up Sprite everywhere so I ran away. :Embarrass: 
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Caliga on October 08, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
I've never had a flat tire.  L2Drive, people.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 08, 2011, 07:13:19 PM
Quote from: Caliga on October 08, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
I've never had a flat tire.  L2Drive, people.

I don't think a person would be a good driver if they were constantly looking out for nails while driving. :P
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 07:35:23 PM
I had like three flat tires this year. <_<  Only one was in any shape my fault and avoidable.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 07:36:22 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 07:35:23 PM
I had like three flat tires this year. <_<  Only one was in any shape my fault and avoidable.

Was that when you attacked your car with an ice pick in a drug fueled rage?
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 08, 2011, 08:42:20 PM
Hey, I'm the guy that likes to icepick my enemies tires. I call my icepick 'Trotsky'.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 08:49:20 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 07:36:22 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 07:35:23 PM
I had like three flat tires this year. <_<  Only one was in any shape my fault and avoidable.

Was that when you attacked your car with an ice pick in a drug fueled rage?

So we're just making stuff up now?  Like it's not ridiculously easy to use facts against me?  Try harder, lazybones.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Admiral Yi on October 08, 2011, 08:49:56 PM
Quote from: Caliga on October 08, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
I've never had a flat tire.  L2Drive, people.

I had one flat when the retread blew off on the interstate.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 08:50:54 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 08:49:20 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 08, 2011, 07:36:22 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on October 08, 2011, 07:35:23 PM
I had like three flat tires this year. <_<  Only one was in any shape my fault and avoidable.

Was that when you attacked your car with an ice pick in a drug fueled rage?

So we're just making stuff up now?  Like it's not ridiculously easy to use facts against me?  Try harder, lazybones.

The made up stuff is funnier.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 08, 2011, 08:53:31 PM
I once had 8 chinese whores fall on me. Shattered my leg.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Zoupa on October 09, 2011, 12:41:23 AM
Lies. LIES.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 09, 2011, 12:45:31 AM
Also I sometimes remember things wrong.  Like that time I thought that Dguller got mugged by a blueberry.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 10, 2011, 06:01:41 PM
Somebody upstairs must really like this thread, and really wants a sequel.  This time an idiot Shomrim vigilante almost got me.

It's Brooklyn again, Ocean Parkway, rush hour.  Some Shomrim guy wants to play with his illegal red and white strobe lights and a siren on his Honda Odyssey and run a red light.  Unlike a real cop, though, he doesn't wait for the cross traffic to stop before running the red light, and he turns his siren on too late.  The end result is that the car ahead of me jumps on the brakes, and so do I, and stop just short of his bumper.  I really hate that feeling of pulsating brake pedal.

They really need to crack down on these Jewish vigilantes.  You shouldn't play cop if you aren't trained to act like one.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:06:49 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 10, 2011, 06:01:41 PM
Somebody upstairs must really like this thread, and really wants a sequel.



You probably shouldn't have given out the address of this forum to the people in your apartment.

On the other hand, I advise anyone who works with Marty or intends to hire him to read this forum diligently.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 10, 2011, 06:16:20 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:06:49 PM
You probably shouldn't have given out the address of this forum to the people in your apartment.
There are people in my apartment? :o Just one more thing I need.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 10, 2011, 06:19:40 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 10, 2011, 06:16:20 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:06:49 PM
You probably shouldn't have given out the address of this forum to the people in your apartment.
There are people in my apartment? :o Just one more thing I need.  :rolleyes:

I'm in your apt! :w00t:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 10, 2011, 06:35:12 PM
Damn.  Why couldn't it be burglars?  :(
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:41:58 PM
This must be an East Coast thing.  I don't understand.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 10, 2011, 08:30:54 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:41:58 PM
This must be an East Coast thing.  I don't understand.

<_<

Yeah because I'm Joe East Coast.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 09:00:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2011, 08:30:54 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:41:58 PM
This must be an East Coast thing.  I don't understand.

<_<

Yeah because I'm Joe East Coast.

You fit in pretty well.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Scipio on October 11, 2011, 08:56:17 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on October 08, 2011, 08:42:20 PM
Hey, I'm the guy that likes to icepick my enemies tires. I call my icepick 'Trotsky'.

I call my cat Trotsky.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: DGuller on October 11, 2011, 04:33:27 PM
Progressive accepted 100% liability for the Italian chick's accident. :yeah: The check for my deductible is in the mail.
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: garbon on October 11, 2011, 06:39:20 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 09:00:33 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 10, 2011, 08:30:54 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 10, 2011, 06:41:58 PM
This must be an East Coast thing.  I don't understand.

<_<

Yeah because I'm Joe East Coast.

You fit in pretty well.
What's that supposed to mean? :angry:
Title: Re: My first car accident
Post by: Ed Anger on October 11, 2011, 06:40:33 PM
Quote from: DGuller on October 11, 2011, 04:33:27 PM
Progressive accepted 100% liability for the Italian chick's accident. :yeah: The check for my deductible is in the mail.

I'd trade your check in just to get one punch in on the Progressive spokesgirl Flo.