So you're not going to believe this. I'm driving back with lunch for some of us at the office and I got in a car accident.

I was driving in the far right lane approaching an off ramp from the freeway. This off ramp has a stop sign and I don't. I'm doing the limit (30mph). I see this older man driving a white ford come to a soft stop. He then crawls forward a little, as if to see more into the intersection.

I get off the gas, he starts to pull out into my lane. I slam on the brakes and lean on the horn. Stop with enough distance to avoid the accident and he keeps driving looking the other way. Right into me while I'm on the horn.

My NEW front bumper is all mangled up, it's shifted and the gap under my lights between the bumper and my hood is not the same. So it's likely more then just the bumper, I'm hoping it's not a bend frame.

Arg. BTW lunch was cold by the time I returned to the office.

To top it all off the driver is really not all together. He was 80+ and didn't track with what was happening. He is truly not fit to drive. His car shows signs of being in an accident like this before. My wife had the camera so I couldnt take any pictures.

Cop showed up, but not because I called for one, because I wouldnt stop from blocking traffic. Apparently they dont come out unless someone is hurt, stupid rules. Well I had them come out, just incase this old man forgets it even happened.

 

Well sorry to hear that but

 

Sorry to hear about that man. If it's just the bumper I really doubt you will have any frame damage, but pics would clear it up after removing the front bumper. Good luck and I hope it gets fixed soon.

 

Should have some soon...

 

What really ticks me off, is this guy shouldnt be on the road... oh and I just spent two months getting the car back nito condition from the last accident.

 

Oh man, what a pain. Good luck with the repair again.

 

Some cars are just magnets for accidents for some reason. That sucks man...

 

I feel your pain, happened to me while i was leaving school, but some little punk ass kid with a new IS backed right into me, luckily he only scratched the shit out of my rear bumper, but sucks that he ran a red and got away from me before i could stop him.

 

This is what happens when we let 1 year olds drive...

 

You were very smart for getting a police report. Anyone over 65 should not carry a license.

 

this is the exactly the reason elders i believe starting 60-70 are not allowed to drive in Japan anymore...

 

Hope it all works out for you.

 

Oddly I couldn't get the officer to write one. It really ticked me off.

I dont agree with the over 65 comment, but I do think more testing would be in all our benifit.

 

yeah i dont agree with the 65 comment because my moms like 55 or something idk but she is more aware on whats goin on around her than almost anyone i know.
but they should make a law or a test that elders have to take to be able to drive

 

The other day- Washington DC Politico Robert Novak- a guy in his 70s-80s?
driving a convertible Black Corvette--!!!!
HITS a pedestrian, and as witnesses described- the man was sprawled across the cars windshield- there was no way you would not notice him on your car!!!!-
but this guy drove 3 BLOCKS with the man on his hood~ until stopped by someone on a bicycle- must have been a big bicycle to pull over a vette and say- ummm- that guy in the suit- yeah- he's not carpooling with you of his own choice!!

Elederly driver had no recollection of the event- no idea this guy was on his hood.
Standard practice in this type of scenario is a CAT scan at the hospital- where they found he has a life threatening brain tumor!
That will cause you to do things and have no idea it happened
And these are the people running the govt!

Most states law says if the damage is more than 500 or 1000$ combined of the vehicles- a report has to be made to DMV- i dont think thats the same report as you want the cops to write- but rob would have actual recent knowledge of that
Maybe you should stop fixing the car up nice rob!!!
and start claiming neck injury- its ok if you feel better in a few days- but right now---get that report taking guy out here!!

 

I definitely think that after a certain age you need to be tested again. I know most people would fail now since it's been a while since we took the written test and our answers would be different from real answers. At least a road test to make sure your senses are still there and you can still park a car.
My mom got hit in a parking lot where an old lady backed right into her. She told the police that she doesn't see very well and didn't see anyone behind her. Hard to miss an MDX right in front of you.

 

Well the officer who showed up wouldn't write the report, so this morning I went to the police station, which is just a few minutes away. Turns out they wont let me file an accident report. I've never run into such backwards laws.

With our last accident an officer came on the scene right away and the women admitted guilt in front of him. She had her wherewithal's at the time, this older man doesn't.

I've opened a claim with his insurance company and they need to contact him to coo-berate the story. Thankfully I remember to write down the officers name and badge number in case things get messy.

I dont like how we do accidents here I really don't. Other countries have better practices in place that protect the motorist. I'm debating getting a laywer for this one if his insurance comes back and claims not at fault.

 

Went to drive it to the body shop and the car pulls to the right... I still need to get you all pictures. The bumper is scratched, and the distance between the lights and hood/bummer is now off. I'm hoping it just needs a tweak and nothing major.

BUt it could have hidden damage

 

Finally had a chance to take some pictures. You'll notice the bummer is more then scraped, it's twisted. The adjuster came by and said it will need to be replaced.

Still waiting to hear back on their acceptance of liability.

 

that is exactly how my bumper looks. And thoe little verticl beams in the lower grill portion are bent too on my car. Didn't even notice it until after I bought my car...I ran my vin before I bought the car and didn;t see any accident reports. They must have been in an accident though

 

Hopefully they fix it up good as new.

 

Just went to move the car, and the battery is dead. How could this be related to the accident?

 

^^ that im not sure of....but be thankful its not that bad...paint job yes, but not any major damage

 

I am thankful. With the 4th gen TL not being something I'd buy, I'm hoping to wait until the 5th gen is out before I replace this car. Maybe pick up an s2k between then and now.

I'm still wondering about the battery. Thinking I'll not do anything until it gets to the body shop for a repair and have them look into it. Maybe it'll die while they are working on it and they'll investigate. If not it could just be a fluke.

I'm trickle charging it now.

So far California Causualty, the at fault party seems to be kind and easy to work with. But slow to respond to accepting responsibliity. It's now Thursday (3 days later) and no word. I'll follow up Friday morning.

 

I have never heard of police not doing a report for an accident. In Montgomery AL, police have to do a report even if there is no visible damage. The only way for a report not to be made is if both parties refuse and that never happens. Sorry about the traffic laws there!

 

sorry i am new to this, but what is wrong with your bumper? are they going to replace the bumper?

 

Well they just accepted responsibility last night and I should be in a rental car this afternoon. Oh the rental car experience...

stayhumble- read posts above

 

Dam this sucks

 

WEll another update, only because I'm a little lazy Monday monring. But we're in a Toyota Camery, which all things considered was a nice move on the part of his insurance company.

I must say though, people who complain our suspension isn't stiff enough need to get into a stock camary, its like a boat. Floats over everything and has major body roll. We have the 4cyl and it has no balls. But the ride is smooth.

 

IM SOOO SORRY MAN. that really sucks. whose fault is it?

 

His fault.

 

At least he has to pay for it.

 

From the pics, I believe it will only need a bumper replacment. Have the alignment checked and if it's out they should fix it.

The battery has nothing to do with the accident. How old is it? If it's original you are very lucky it lasted this long. lol Otherwise if it was replaced somewhat recently you should have a 2-3year free replacmenet and a 7-8yr pro-rated warranty.

I agree 110% about the Toyota Camry suspension. It's VERY soft.

 

I'm not really sure on the battery, they're going to call me and let me know if it needs to be replaced or if it's something else. If I need a new battery no biggy, it was just a surprise it happened just after the accident.

It might just be the bumper, but the gap on either side of the hood is slightly off so they're looking into that as well.

When I first drove the camry I thought something was wrong with it, you also sit alot higher then in the TL. It is easier to get in and out of and I could see how that would make it more desirable for over weight or elderly people. But I REALLY like the low seat, race car style position you get with the TL. I dont think I'll ever complain about the TL having soft suspension again.

 

That's a little harsh. I believe they should be tested every couple years, beginning at a certain age, but there are some pretty capable drivers out there who are over the age of 65. I mean c'mon, John McCain is what, 71? Are you going to tell the Republican presidential nominee that he can't drive a car?

 

Yeah, you never know what's actually damaged until you start taking parts off the car. Hopefully it's ok. I'd try to fight to get the alignment done at their cost because it may have thrown it off, and if it didn't OHH WELL, it's the cost of the inconvience.

I drove a few Camrys at my old job and thought there was something wrong with it too, until I noticed they all did that. Even the Lexus ES300 was as soft. The TL is def a sports sedan as opposed to a basic sedan meant to be VERY quiet and comfy.

 

Got a call last night from the shop. The bummer has been replaced and the FRAME was pulled straight too. YIKES. I requested an alignment be done dispite it not seeming required, they're going to do it, hopefully I can get the car back today.

 

greatttttt

 

So I picked up the car tonight, will have pictures in the morning.

So the damage you saw in the pictures cost

$830 - new bumper painted and installed
$450 - frame pulled straight
$60 - alignment
$525 - rental car

Total repair + rental = $1865

I'm really glad I'm not out a dime. It felt so good to get the car back, I wanted to go for a longer drive but it dind't work out. Wel there is tomorrow, strangely it seems like an old friend.

My battery didnt need to be replaced, we've ID'd the issue as my ipod which remains charging for 20minutes after I shut the car off. I make alot of short runs in the day which drains the battery.

 

I'm really surprised it had frame damage. Just goes to show even minor accidents can cause serious damage. Glad you are back in your TL. Now you can fight crime. lol