Acurafan86

I decided that it was time to purchase a TLX last week after touring one at my local Acura dealer. I loved the value it presented at just above $30,000. I have not seen a value like this since the third generation TL arrived back in 2003. I am personally not a fan of black cars because the finishes are difficult to maintain, and I keep my vehicles for years. I love silver, but I wanted to try something different, so I decided to purchase it in white with expresso. Fantastic combination. It was, hence was, a 2.4 with tech. I was sitting at a light in my newly purchased TLX five minutes after leaving the dealer when things ran astray. I spotted a BMW 3-series in the opposite oncoming lane. Something was wrong though because both lanes were red and it was going around 40 MPH in close vicinity to the light. It entered the traffic lane, swerved, and began to head right towards me. No time to make any choice. I had no where to go being surrounded on the left, right, and rear. In addition, traffic was moving in the lane crossing the intersection (in front). I knew it was coming, so I slammed the car into park and held tightly onto the steering wheel. As the BMW moved closer, I felt a tear roll down my face because I thought it might all be over. I didn't want to cause an accident by entering the middle of the road, so I had no choice but to wait for the impact. It was like a murderer pointing a gun at you, but you are waiting to hear the shot. I attempted to loosen up, and within the most intense five seconds of my life, I realized I should have just left the dealer with my newly exchanged brake fluid on my 04 TL a week ago and forgotten about the TLX. My eyes were open when something so strange happened. I remember an Acura commercial back in 90's and one back in 07 about being in the front seat as an airbag deployed. Everything slowed down, including the Lana Del Ray playing on the radio, and I felt the airbag like a light pillow. Then boom. Being confined in the car and having no idea how much time had passed (or if I was actually dead), I opened the door and rolled onto the ground incredibly confused. Is this a dream? Lana was still singing. It turned out a sixteen year old was texting and driving when she hit me. We both survived. I was in complete shock, so I didn't even take pictures. Funny thing is that was the first thing on my mind. "Thank god for comprehensive, and what is my agent's number?" No injuries, clear X-rays, but I still cannot believe this happened. You never know when your ticket will get punched. This is my first accident at thirty. The TLX saved my life, so regardless of its looks and what not, it is a safe damn vehicle. Probably totaled.

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

...wow. That is a hell of a story, what are the odds. So so sorry about your luck, but really glad everyone was okay.

What's next, are you buying another TLX?

Acurafan86

Thanks. We will see. I imagine that it is a total loss and the slate will be wiped clean since I invested in GAP. I might just keep my other cars and hold off.

ostrich

I am so very sorry to hear about this! I am just glad that you are alive and well...

Now, what does it say about that 16 year old who was driving the BMW? I hope she was extremely sorry, and cared to apologize to you. I hope she will not be driving again for a very, very, very long time (i.e. years!), and that she or her parents will be paying dearly for causing this accident.... and I hope that she will charged for driving while texting - isn't that illegal!?

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

I would think it's a goner. What a waste. I don't blame you for holding off, I'd probably do the same thing.

Btw what idiot parent gave their 16yr old a 3-Series. Hope it wasn't new.

Acurafan86

Thanks for the sympathy. The worst part is that she limped out and said, "You hit my god damn BMW ass wipe." It was disgusting. BTDubbs it was a new 328i....

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

Whaaat. No wonder you were in shock!

Acurafan86

Yeah. This is a Jalopnik kind of story. I thought you guys would enjoy it.

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

A 16yr old kid driving a new 328....and on top of that she has the gall to say that to you after being at fault, not to mention it's illegal to text and drive...that's just one giant heaping bowl of wrong all around. People...

Acurafan86

In the state of Georgia it is. The police in the Atlanta area have actually been stalking red lights to catch people doing it. NO apps or text, just talk.

ostrich

Oh my goodness! Seriously, she said that!? YOU hit her??? SHE hit you, for crying out loud!!! And she did not even apologize!!!

I hope that seriously taught her and her parents a good lesson, but unfortunately, at your expense. Money does not buy you brain cells, common sense, or courtesy. I really hope that she will be charged for driving recklessly while performing an illegal act (texting while driving).

Acurafan86

I did not hobble around for long since an ambulance took me, but her parents showed up. I overheard, "That man hit my baby girl?" I broke out into a laughing fit. The paramedics thought I had lost it. It was obvious who had caused it due to the direction of five cars and the intersection...

a35tl

People can be such morons. Just let your insurance company handle these idiots. You'll be in another new car faster than they'll have the chance to say "another man hit my baby girl" again.

jammerz-TL

Glad you are ok. I got rear ended by a 16 yr old too many many years ago... she just got her licence the day before and I was stopped and waiting to make a left... she hit me at full speed limit because she was too busy talking to her friend. Maybe their parents should buy them Acura's with collision warning system. Obviously they have no regard for others on the road.

07Acuradude

I am glad you are okay man.

Did she get a ticket for anything?

On a side note I can't stand parents like that...

MedX172

Simply unbelievable. You don't have to be an accident investigator to figure this one out. Given the parental response, this should give you some idea of why the child was devoid of any compassion or guilt. I am so glad that you're okay.

I hope they have a good Attorney....and I hope you have an excellent one.

CoquiTSX

Quandry

Acurafan86: I can't even begin to feel your pain. If this was April 1st I would think you were trying to pulling a fast one us. It's stories like this that make people so nervous about buying a new car. How did you know that she was texting?

Putting on my mean side I hope her car was written off as well, that she get full charges laid by the police, and her insurance becomes insane.

KeithL

I am getting so fed up with distracted drivers, they need to almost treat them like DUIs, and if you are in an accident while texting should be mandatory 1 year suspension of license and stiff fines like DUI. Some days the commute feels like a slalom course getting around all the distracted drives slowing things down because they are too busy looking at their phones.

erdoc48

Sorry to hear of all this, and I agree texting while driving should be a DUI equivalent- loss of license for a period of time and a huge fine and insurance surcharge- hopefully it would stop some of this nonsense.

The 16 year old needs her ass handed to her.

jjsC5

I agree. It's not illegal in Texas unless you live in a city that has outlawed it. Our Governor is a moron.

To the OP, sorry this happened. Best of luck getting it sorted out.

MedX172

Maybe she'll get lucky and be the one at home when the door bell rings and the Process Server gives her the papers

JT4

^^ I totally agree.. Everyday is a new experience driving these days, everyone is on their freaking phones and not paying attention..

Just the other day I witnessed a teenage boy walk off the sidewalk and right out into oncoming traffic while his head was buried in his phone.. He would have been killed if the driver approaching him wasn't paying attention... The driver blew his horn and the kid looked up like he had no idea where he was...

OP, I'm really glad you're ok... The car can be replaced/fixed..

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

Glad to see you were not hurt. Good luck with everything.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

OP, i am glad you are ok and please keep us updated.

reckless driver and ignorant parents

JT4

^^ Exactly, what A-Holes..

If (God forbid) one of my sons was involved in a traffic accident in which they were texting and hit someone they would be better off getting locked up compared to what I would do to them.. And believe me they know it.

tlxsteve

Wow! What a story. I sat riveted to my seat while reading this.

I am glad you are okay.

Thanks for doing the crash test for us.

Acurafan86

As you can probably tell, none of them would keep their mouths shut. It came out of the girl around the time when an officer and ambulance arrived. She must have panicked when the officer became suspicious of a DUI. I wanted to stay around as long as possible to absorb information.

Update: As of now, my car is wrapped in red tape from my lawyer. I am not one to sue, but I am not taking a loss or fault on this. I don't even think I will be able to upload pictures since I have yet to see the car. Truth be told, I am not sure I want to. This was a deeply affecting experience as dramatic as it sounds. I am only fourteen years older than this girl, but it makes me question this generation of children. Yes, I know this is an isolated incident, so please do not think I am ignorant for saying that. I appreciate all of the great sympathy and comments. I will try to upload pictures, but I am unsure if it can be done.

Acurafan86

As of now, I am unsure of what is going down with that. I will attempt to update. The officer seemed pressed to sock it to her. The way the family acted was disgusting. You people would not believe me if I told you all of it...

NBP04TL4ME

Acurafan86 - So glad to hear you made it out of this with little or no injuries. It sucks that through no fault of your own your brand new TLX is gone but as you said, it's a safe car and did it's job. It's so maddening to hear the other parents comments - especially based on what you described as having happened and what I can only imagine the aftermath and position of the BMW and your TLX looked like.
As a parent of two teenagers, I can certainly understand their concern for their daughter, but it is inexcusable to be texting while driving.

I got this via email the other day as I guess somewhat of a social experiment taken place in a Hong Kong movie theatre with a VW ad.

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

^Great idea.

a77

In most countries 16 year olds arent even allowed to drive. To most outsiders being allowed to drive at 16 (14 in some places I know) but not being allowed a glass of wine with dinner till 21 is utterly bizarre. But anyways commiserations on the car, glad you're uninjured. It shouldnt be possible for 16 year olds to even get insurance to drive a 328.

Quandry

Spare yourself further pain and do not try to see the car or take pictures. It will only reinforce the horrific experience, and we do not need to see them. Just be thankful that you are ok, and start your next adventure in deciding if/when/what you get a replacement.

PreludeVTEC01

Wow!! VERY happy to hear you were OK and able to walk away. Thanks for sharing!! Ekk

iamitman

Then she "but first, let me take a selfie!"

NBP04TL4ME

Very, very sad, but at the same time very likely true............

Acurafan86

That is actually hilarious to think about. "Lemme go put on my best duck face." BTW her makeup was a mess.... Like someone took a paint brush and attempted to make a water color painting. Must have been the airbag.

aIRpeACE

iTrader: (2)

glad you are ok and be able to make fun on her makeup.

i really want to see how the parents would react if they find out their daughter is truly at fault and was indeed texting while driving.

miner

Please share it with us... Do you have any witnesses or bystander accounts that the police talked to? Yes, you should not be the financial victim of this immature girls actions. Hopefully this will be a lesson that will stay with her for her long life. Take care and do not ignore any soreness or unexplained joint problems.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Whoa crazy story. Glad you are OK. I have only been in 1 accident where the person admitted fault. I have to fight the tendency for me to be sympathetic. People will outrageously blatantly lie if it is gonna cost them, I've been in plenty of situations where I am glad I curbed the sympathy and had evidence to nail them.

I always say this but cops waste their time with dumb things like tint, or a license plate light out etc.. They should be coming down HARD on people with phones. It is the number one fear for bikers too. Without fail I see people on phones EVERY single day, their inattentive driving sticks out like a sore thumb. Why are speeding tix so crazy high? Make a cell phone ticket $250, hee hee, I bet you'll see way less people risk it.

Best thing I could think to say in your situation is that the car was new so all the safety features were intact and of the latest tech. It could mean that perhaps you were safer in the TLX than in the TL. Never know, but what matters is that you were safe. The other good thing is that it was totaled. It would super suck if the damage was just under the limit of repairing it. Then you would end up with a patched up car that would never be the same compared to one that was untouched. And lastly if the car was older you would have only gotten it's current value. In order to get a new car of the same standard you would have to put up the difference because of depreciation. In your case you were going to buy a TLX anyways, but for anyone with a older TL without money saved up yet, that would suck. In your case you will get back what you paid for the TLX. (If not FIGHT it of course, insurance companies try everything not to pay out if they can.)

There wasn't much attachment here with your car yet; all the car trips and mods. So now you get to start over and press the rewind button and get yourself in the exact same car over again. And don't be spooked by such a crazy fluke, good luck.