Apparently, I needn't have worried about traffic...

[Guest]

...instead, like 2 cars of mine previously, being parked was what got my '87 MC LS hit. [My former "Silver Bullet" '88 MC LS was backed into on the street in front of our house; my former "Green Hornet" '00 LS was hit in the parking lot outside of the HardRock Cafe in downtown Nashville ... both with NO note left.]

*sighs*

I took my usual walk about 11 this morning. As I head back to the building, I pass by where my car is parked. This morning, I noticed that the license plate didn't look quite right. I walked closer ... and found a note tucked under the driver's side windshield wiper. Arg.

Apparently, a gal backed into my '87 MC LS as she was leaving earlier in the day. The car is NOT damaged all that much; most people wouldn't even know it had been hit, except for the folded up license plate. But, a closer look reveals that the lower bumper is pushed in slightly...and who knows what else underneath (if anything at all, of course).

So ... I called the number ... and only got music. Hmmm. I then called my insurance company and they advised I file a police report. In the meantime, the person that hit my car called me back. A brief conversation with her ... and it was clear this was going to be interesting. She told me she only damaged the license plate and that she would have to tell her Dad. Oye. I advised her that the license plate was NOT the only thing damaged and that I was filing a police report; she wasn't happy about that, but too bad.

When the police officer arrived, I felt like I was the one on trial. He asked me if I was sure I hadn't caused the damage...I was stunned. I showed him the note and advised him that, indeed, I had not caused that damage. He then asked if I had talked to her. I told him yes. His response? "So, why are you filing a police report?" Again, I was stunned. I told him I was filing a police report because my insurance company advised me to ... and because she told me she had to talk to her Dad ... and that she was claiming that she had only damaged the license plate, which I know not to be the case.

Finally got the police report completed and called my insurance company back. They gave me a list of places to take it, one being a Chevy dealership in the area. I spoke with a guy in the body shop there; I might just stop there on the way to work in the morning. We'll see....

In the meantime, I got a Voice Mail message from the officer.... Turns out, he tried to call the gal to talk to her. The first time he spoke to her, she HUNG UP ON HIM. Ohhhh my. He noted that he tried to call her a few more times, with no answer. So, it sounds as if he sees now that it was a good idea to file the report. Now, I just gotta finish the paperwork and send it in.

Hmph ... if I had had a winter beater by now, this wouldn't have been that big of a deal. But, ya'll know how much of a stickler I am with my Monte Carlos.... And, yes, I know ... I should do the kind thing and let it go ... but....well, I don't know.....



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"For a moment you can hardly breathe" ... John Mayer ... 'Dreaming With A Broken Heart'

 

[Lisa in Katy]

You did the right thing. You just can't trust those crazy women drivers!!!

Seriously, a friend of mine in his 2 month old RX8 was recently backed into at an intersection. The young woman in front of him apparently decided she wanted to go straight instead of turning left, and proceeded to back up to change lanes, hitting him in the process. She didn't have her insurance info, but he gave her his info anyway, because he's only 29 and thought that was the right thing to do. She cried and pleaded with him to let her handle it without calling the insurance company so her rates wouldn't go up, and he decided to be the nice guy. Two days later, after talking with her a couple of times about getting an estimate, he received a call from his insurance company saying that she had filed a claim saying he rear ended her. Since there was no police report, it was her word against his, and her story made more sense because "who would back up at an intersection?" They also told him that by him giving her his information without getting hers, it's like admitting fault.

I hope your car feels better soon.

 

[Dennis S]

If you are open for advice: I am a firm believer in mercy where it is at all possible. I will just speak for myself, but I think I get an important reward when I can show mercy, especially to the young or elderly. In my case, it can more than make up for the injustice I may have sustained. I guess it depends on how bad the damage is, and whether it will really make a difference in my life. But I know it all depends on the situation, and everyone has to answer the question for themselves. Good luck, and I am sure you will make the right choice!

 

[hensylee]

Mercy is wonderful and I truly believe in and practice it. In this case, however, Cort's cars are old and restored, making repairs a bit different than if it were a current car. I would get an estimate before I'd make that decision. It was probably not a good idea to hang up on a policeman. They will be at her door next. You still might be able to work it out, Cort. Good luck.

 

[Bina]

I understand how you feel Cort, these older cars have sentimental meaning.
A few years ago my hubby was parked at a gas pump in his 1963 Rambler Wagon.....he is in the gas station waiting to pay when he sees a little old lady back up right into the door of his wagon Of course he walks out and says "Excuse me, but you just backed up into my car." She shakes her head and tries to drive forward, hubby asked her to stop and look at the car.
She just shakes her head again. He did end up getting her name and phone number, but after getting home and talking about it we decided to let it go. She really had no clue about what she had done and I did not want to get into a battle over a dented door on a car that needed a paint job anyway.
Cort, in your case, the woman should at least be commended for leaving her number and not running off.
Maybe the two of you can work something out.

 

[Cooker]

One day after class (long, long ago) as I walked up to my car and saw a note on the windshield. It read ?I hit your car. I am sorry. People are watching so I had to leave this note?. No number, no name, nothing. The damage was minimal but I still laugh about that note today.

 

[hensylee]

me, too, when I found the same note.

 

[Freddie]

former Driver Educator

former Driver Educator

Sorry Guys,
Not that it happens often (thank God), but when someone hits me, I like to nail them to the wall. It doesn't matter to me what their age is. If your out driving you know what your doing. Hit another car, then face the consequences. Sometimes drivers need to have a reality check - wake-up and pay attention. Driving is considered a privileged not a right in my province. Screw up, pay the price.
Thats my 2cents worth. a touchy subject for me

 

[Dennis S]

This is a longer version of what I meant to say earlier--it is just a theory, but I believe in it. Every time we do something at all significant (or something significant is done to us) our experience contributes to our self image. There was a time in my life when I was shown great mercy during a time of real need. It changed my life. Since that time, there have been many occasions when I was content not to demand justice. (Obviously, the trick is knowing where to draw the line). But, at the age of 60 I am absolutely convinced that an outlook on life bent towards mercy has made for a better and more enjoyable life--more than making up for whatever I forgave by not demanding justice. I think it made me a better husband, father, boss--you name it. I am just talking about my own experience, and don't mean make any points about anybody else.

This will probably make people scratch their heads, but I will say it anyway. I love taking pictures. For me, the trick to taking pictures is seeing something that most people buzzed right by. I think I take better pictures because I have lived a life bent more towards mercy than justice. I think there is a kind of empathy that surrounds mercy, and that same empathy contributes to good photography.

Everybody has to make their own choices, and I hadn?t given the whole topic much organized thought until Cort?s original post. Thanks to Cort for posing another interesting question.

 

[Guest]

*sighs*

As one of the gals at my insurance office noted when I spoke to her about the estimate I received, I'm in an almost impossible situation. I _want_ to be kind about this ... and NOT be too "hard nosed" to work something out, especially since she left a note. BUT ... given some events today (including the gal's SUPPOSED insurance office noting, in so many words, that my car "isn't worth fixing") it is becoming increasingly hard NOT to turn hard nosed.... After all, I'm not too keen on the idea of my hard-earned money paying for damage I did NOT create....

*rolls eyes*

Right now ... waiting game.

Arg.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I should ask, but I won't" ... Rebecca Lynn Howard ... 'Forgive'

 

[Dennis S]

Like I said before, I am sure you will make the right choice.

It was just that the original question got me thinking, and I couldn't help writing about it.

 

[Guest]

Hey Dennis ... no worries. Perfectly fine by me!


An update:
The police have closed the report, labeling it a "hit and run". The gal who backed into my '87 MC LS has hung up on the police officer and has managed to (so far) elude responsibility, since she never gave me her last name (despite also giving me the name and ph# of her insurance agent) and is now not answering her phone, or hanging up on people.... Arg. And, of course, the van she hit me with has not returned to the scene. My insurance company tells me they are "investigating"....

Meantime, the '87 MC LS goes in tomorrow (Wednesday) for repairs. Estimate is about $150; but, that could easily go up, depending on what they find "underneath" the bumper when they go to re-adjust it to where it is supposed to be. And, that doesn't include painting, which, for now, I've declined. Anyway, I'll get stuck with the bill, since I have a $250 deductible. I sure hope that once it is fixed and the insurance company pays out the rental reimbursement, they kick their "investigation" up a notch.

It's just frustrating ... the damage IS minor, but I'm stuck paying for something I didn't do. Plus, as I noted before, this is the first time in 3 "hit and runs" that I've experienced where the person has actually left a note ... and I still feel like I'm getting the raw end of the deal. I don't want to play hardball, since it is minor damage, and, sure, I could let it go (i.e. NOT get my '87 MC LS fixed) ... but, I know the damage is there ... and it bugs the crap out of me.

Course, if we do "catch" this gal ... and she pays ... chances are, if she hits someone like that again, she won't leave a note....

Irony rocks.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Surely this can be explained" ... Lonestar ... 'No News'

 

[Mary]

This has been a bad deal all the way around.
Sorry Cort.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry, Cort. I'm sure this is very frustrating. Somebody backed in my tail light once and never left a note. I hope they ultimately catch her.

 

[Guest]

*nods*

Thanks, Mary and Wayne.

Luckily, the '87 MC LS got fixed up well ... and they even washed it for me, too.

Sadly, looks like the gal is going to get away with what she did.



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.lego.HO.model.MCs.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"What do you mean how could I do this to you?" ... Juice Newton ... 'Old Flame'