OT: My fun evening...
 

Ok, you may start off thinking that this thread is just talking about what all I did tonight. We'll, you're right. To a point. It's mostly about what ended my evening.

Ok, we get done bowling and I start home. I go a different way then everyone else so no one is following me. I'm going down one of the main roads in my town and I'm going to make a right turn up ahead. Oh, BTW, it's raining outside. So I step on the breaks and start to slow down, next thing I know I lose traction during the turn, so I start going towards the other lane and the yard and the stop sign and road sign and pole. I see I'm going to hit one of these items so I crank it hard to the left to avoid it if possible. I don't, I hit them and I'm going through the CDC property. I'm trying to get my car out to the road so I can get help but my car is gay and it isn't turning right. So I finally get it to the road and get out and go into a restraunt and use phone to call parents and the cops. I sit at car till cops get there, she did paper work and parents got there finally. So we are there another 20 to 25 minutes waiting for tow truck to get there and other stuff. Finally they get there and we have it towed to my house and now it's sitting outside. I'm not hurt or nothing so it's all good. Probably around $2,000 in damage though. So first thing Monday it's off to insurance to have them get copy of police report and other stuff.

But that's my fun evening. Wouldn't you all love to have a night like that?! But I strongly do not suggest it. I lied, it's not really that much fun. But I just thought I'd let you all know about it and stuff.

Oh, you should see my car though. The front wheels are facing each other basically. That's why it wouldn't turn right. So instead of being
| | like that.... They are like this... / \
Great huh. I told cop at least it looks like the way I walk now. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif I was kidding about that part of course. But she got a good laugh out of it.

Ok, shutting up now. I now return you to your normal posting matters...

[ November 10, 2002, 03:14: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

And it was what kind of car?

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wasn't going to comment, since Ragnarok's night has apparently been rough enough....

Quikngruvn

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Sorry about your evening, but in the end, your ok, and it was just a car that was hurt, and not people. Count your self very lucky and buy a truck. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Don't feel bad. I did the same thing tuesday, with a few minor changes. The object that hit me was a little old lady driving one of those old cars that could have a head on collision with a tank and come out on top. She basically broadsided me on the passenger side (you know, the side my 18 month old son is on), so you can imagine what went thru MY mind... It wasn't raining; I was making a left hand turn, and my vision was obstructed by an oncoming car which was stopped and waiting to make a left hand turn. My car was totalled (about $4500 worth of damage). Oh, and I got a $112 ticket out of the deal, too. Yea.

But thankfully, no one was hurt.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Man, yeah you're lucky too then dumbluck.
Oh, my car was a '96 chevy lumina, or as I nicknamed it, the Animul. (lumina backwards)

But I'm just happy I wasn't hurt and no one was sitting at that corner to come out because I would've hit them right in the drivers side door.

Edit: Oh, and I've only had to the car since august....

[ November 10, 2002, 13:41: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

...Want excitement? Try a 20 car pile-up and be out of state! Not only exciting, but it also takes a LONG while to settle...

Like that famous chinese curse: May You Live In Interesting Times!

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Dang that had to suck! Was you hurt any?

It's excitement for me cause it's first wreck I've been in so yeah... Well besides when my mom hit a deer when I was like 8...

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Did the tie rod break. I had that happen on my 81 chevy malbu. I was doing around 40 KM/H at the time. Scared the stuffings outta me.

I am glad your alright. Cars can be replaced. You cannot.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, most likely it's the tie rod. Me and my dad were looking at it today, the control rod broke, that's why the tires were like that. I could turn to left side tire but the right side I had to turn by hand. Also I bent up the A-frame. So I'll probably have to replace the whole front suspension. Oh well, as long as insurance covers it I'm ok. I had full coverage so it better.

That's what we're saying. I'm also glad no one was sitting at that corner when I came around because I would've hit them in the driver door if they were. So we're pretty lucky as far as everything goes.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, most likely it's the tie rod. Me and my dad were looking at it today, the control rod broke, that's why the tires were like that. I could turn to left side tire but the right side I had to turn by hand. Also I bent up the A-frame. So I'll probably have to replace the whole front suspension. Oh well, as long as insurance covers it I'm ok. I had full coverage so it better.

That's what we're saying. I'm also glad no one was sitting at that corner when I came around because I would've hit them in the driver door if they were. So we're pretty lucky as far as everything goes.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well IF you bent the frame the (Most) Ins. Co. will write it off as totaled! but glad to hear you A-OK http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's what we're worried about. We got to thinking about that one this morning. So I hope they don't write it off as being totaled.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Ahh yes, that happened to my dads car, ironicly, on the way to the junk yard!!

just remember, it could have been worse... you could have hit a llama, then you would have had those animal rights people all over your @SS....

But I digress, glad to hear you are ok.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Damned llama's taking over the country... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Why do you think I went off the road?! I was trying to avoid hitting one of those stupid llama's. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif (Good excuse right? Wonder what insurance company would think of that one... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif )

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

I once stole my parents car, took it out for a joyride, and smashed it into a light pole. That was one of the strangest nights of my life...whenever I think about it, I can still see that stupid pole slowly falling backward before it crashed to the ground. That was one of those moments where you seriously think about how you could possibly go back in time and have a "do over".

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Tell me about it man. Ever since it happened I've been running through my head different things I could have done to possible avoided the situation. Going a different way. When I realized my tires lost traction did I have time to pull out of the turn and just slide forward on the road and miss the turn and the signs. Theres alot of things that go through my head that I think I could have done differently just to avoid the whole mess. But it won't give me another chance so it's to no avail.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">heheh, I know this feeling well. I seriously wonder whether people used to get this or if it's something that has only developped because now we are used to software with "undo" buttons and autosave features. The amount of times I've been drawing or writing with pen & paper and then reached for the "undo"...

But yeah. I've had my share of stupid & dangerous car experiences and it really does take several minutes to realise that
A) You were that close to being as dented as the car is now and
B) there is no undo button.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

I agree that the "what could I have done differently" thought will run through your head for days. Especially when the increased insurance premium comes in the mail.

Having had numerous accidents I have spent more than my fair share of time (in and out of the hospital) thinking about what I could have done to not get hit or not hit someone else.

Accidents suck, but it is just a car. You are alive and well and nobody got hurt -- that is all that matters.

Cheers!
Trajan

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

There is a pretty good book:
"How to drive into accidents, and how not to"
by
Bob Pease (pronounced Pees)
I don't drive but I enjoyed the book. It came out about 6 years ago.
Here is the link:
http://www.elecdesign.com/Globals/Pl...tent/2932.html
No pop ups. The author is an electronics engineer (and was a good friend of my father).
Incredible man.

[ November 11, 2002, 21:59: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. Hopefully I don't have any more accidents for along long time. But you never know I guess.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Well I finally recieved the estimate in mail today. The total came out to $2,200.00 or somewhere around there. But we were looking at what they estimated to be fixed and nothing was said about the A-frame. So we gave them a call and the adjuster will not be in till tomorrow to ask him about it. So he is supposed to give me a call tomorrow to find out about it. So that price will most likely go up. So it's sounding more and more like they might total it. If it wasn't the the frame I don't think they would but who knows. I'll fill you all in when I get some more information.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Hopefully they Total it. Don't want to be messing with A-frame repairs!

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah exactly. We're going to have it toed to wherever we want it fixed at. Then they are going to take wheel and so forth off and if they see damage to anything that is not on the report then we have to call the adjuster again and he'll come look at it. Then add that up and possibly total it.

I had a friend of mine and we were talking, he said it'd be alot better if they did total it. Since they have to pay the car off, or at least almost all of it, then we could just buy it back from them for like $500.00 or whatever it is, then fix it and have a car that is perfectly fine and owe nothing on it. But we'll see what else is damaged before we decide what to do as far as that goes.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Ok, another update time. Like any of you care. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Ok, we aren't toeing it to a place to get it fixed. I just got done working on it for a couple hours. I took off the hood, took off the fender, and that mudd protector thingy...(Don't know the exact term or name for it.)
So we are going to fix it all ourselves... The A-frame is indeed twisted up. But to get a A-frame in good shape is like 40 bucks. There is the junkyard place around where I live and they have all kinds of parts and stuff from wrecked cars. So we are just going toget stuff from them. So I should only spend around 6 or 700 probably. But who knows what final cost will be for painting new fender and so forth.

But I finally got pictures developed of what damage was done. Here they are...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1038100687.jpg

And...

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1038100702.jpg

It doesn't look like much at all but underneath it all it did some good damage.

You should see the Control Arm, it just snapped in two. In the second picture you can see how the tire is pushed back against the wheel well. Me and my dad had a heck of a time getting it down to our shed. He was outside the car pushing the wheel to wherever we needed it while I was barely on the gas. But we managed to get it down there.

Ok, that's it for this update, see ya'll 'round.

[ November 24, 2002, 01:23: Message edited by: Ragnarok ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

rags, yeah nobody cares. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif I mean, Geesh, why would we? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

It is a lot worse than it looks! Hope you don't have to much trouble replacing the A-frame.

Oh, by the way. I will expect further and continuing updates!!

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

(only 1752 to go)

[ November 24, 2002, 03:12: Message edited by: mlmbd ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

"(only 1752 to go)"
Still making fun of me I see... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

"Hope you don't have to much trouble replacing the A-frame!"

Nah, I shouldn't have too hard of a time. It's held in there by like 3 bolts. Take those off put new A-frame in and boom, I got a new A-frame. But knowing how things go for me it won't be that easy. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Um, there is no such thing as an A-frame on that car. Are you talking about the lower control arm? If it is, then about six bolts and it’s out. Make sure you check the strut, they get damaged real easy too.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, the control arm is broke.

And yes there is an A-frame for that car cause it's on there. We looked at it and that's exactly what it is.

And yes the Strut is worthless too. We're basically going to rebuild the whole front right side. Strut & knuckle, Control Arm, Axle, A-frame, and possibly the brakes. I'm pretty sure we will get new brakes while we are at it.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Me, I'm just using the insurance money to buy another car...

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, the control arm is broke.

And yes there is an A-frame for that car cause it's on there. We looked at it and that's exactly what it is.

And yes the Strut is worthless too. We're basically going to rebuild the whole front right side. Strut & knuckle, Control Arm, Axle, A-frame, and possibly the brakes. I'm pretty sure we will get new brakes while we are at it.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

The control arm bolts the sub frame on the inside and the ball joint at the steering knuckle. An A-frame is a 1940’s 50’s Version of a control arm. They were larger and built up out of several pieces. Bill Cosby made the term famous with one of his comedy routines way back before he turned into a family entertainer.

Well have fun with it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I thought thats what we would do. But my dad says we should fix it. So I guess I'll do that... Speaking of which I should probably go get started...

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Heh. Reading this thread reminds me of my only major accident. My car, I swear, has a magnet in the rear bumper, 'cause I've been rear-ended three times. The second two weren't at speeds that caused any damage, but the first one...

I was stopped at red behind another car. That car, when the light turned green, decided to take its merry time moving; I was getting ready to honk when it did start puttering forward. I pulled my foot off the brake, and some idiot slammed into my rear end at about 25 MPH, in a Chevy Caprice or something similar (my car's a '93 Sunbird).

We don't know what the other guy was driving because, immediately after he hit me, he decided maybe it was better if he didn't stick around for the aftermath. Prick. Thankfully I was covered under uninsured motorists' coverage.

No one was hurt (one front and one rear passenger, and myself), but the rear end was just crushed. To fix it, they had to cut off the rear half of the car and replace it. Fun.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Well well well, I got some new news for ya'll. Again it's meaningless but for those out there who care. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif
I haven't been doing much with my car the past couple weeks. But Last week I had finished taking it apart. Then I spent the rest of the week rounding up parts I would need. A-frame, otherwise known as the lower control arm; Inner tir rod end; outer tie rod end; strut and knuckle. So far that is it. I will be needing a fender and head lamp assembly.
I started putting things back together today. Will finish tomorrow. I need a couple bolts, the ones they gave me were too big.
But then I have to take it into a shop and have them put the fender on, install the head lamp assembly and paint it. I just figure if they are going to paint it might as well have them put it on too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
So far I have spent 120.00 on it. Fender is going to be 205.00 and head lamp around 80.00, paint job anywhere from 200.00 to 300.00. So I am looking at a grand total of anywhere from 600.00 to 700.00 probably. Which isn't too bad considering that it would've cost well over 1000.00 to have it fixed by someone else.
But that's the latest on this issue. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

rags, that good to hear! The amount spent isn't at all bad either. How much did the insurance settle for? Ah, maybe you don't want to post that! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I am sure it will be GREAT to have your own wheels back!

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

[ December 15, 2002, 04:33: Message edited by: mlmbd ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Good job! Have any trouble with the inner tie rod? They can be fun sometimes.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

$600-700 for all that? That doesn't seem too bad at all, especially if the insurance pays you the full estimated repair value (not likely).
I am taking my car into the dealer for its 6 month service (tune-up) tomorrow, and it will probably be $500-$600...

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Congratulations on your 1000th post rags, only 3000 more and you can beat SJ, Thats if his posting hormones ever slow down???

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

About fun evenings:
At about 8pm on Wed, Dec.4th my sweetheart parks her car, (1998 vw beetle), on the street like she does every night.
Next morning she is waken by the cops knocking on the door. Someone had hit the right rear of her car, pushed it up and over the curb and into a car parked in a driveway. Driver kept on going. no note, nada. Ok, cool, upsetting but she has insurance. 500 dollar dectutable, 2 weeks of rental payments. Maybe 1000 dollars total. "Life Happens". At least she was not in the car at the moment and as such was not hurt.
Well, she works Retail, < read does not earn very much, Add it is Yule time, Subtract child support payments she makes etc.... >
But wait, there is more
The jerk finaly reports it to his insurance agency. He claims my sweetheart was in the car at the time. ???!. We get this information Last night. Well, I guess there is no way she can prove where she was. Ooops. At the time he claims the accident took place she was on our web cam chatting with at least 4 people.
< The Gryphin Gryns >
Gotta love computers.
I hope this goes to court.

[ December 15, 2002, 14:17: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Oooh sorry to hear that gryphin, hope you guys let justice prevail and win

Also there are a lot of interested patrons after the meaning of the gryphin position in the cantina, gonna put them outta there misery and tell em? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

If your girl friend has Safeco, or State Farm insurance she is F*****. I was rear ended in at the post office by a drunk drive, and my insurance paid for his damages and medical. You see, he simply ran an add in the paper asking for witness, will pay, and guess what, he got them. My insurance company, Safeco, gave him the idea, despite his arrest for DUI, his third by the way, he altimately wins.

Now State Farm is just a fricking rip off, if they can find a way to weazle out, they will.

When the revolution comes, and it will, I can only hope that I am of able mind and body to seek retribution upon those who run insurance companies. If any one should be consider Axis of Evil, I sware to God that they should be Insurance Companies, The IRS, and Banks.

Sorry to hear about her problem, she'll prevail. Have her check into having him charged with hit and run, and see if her insurance company will agree that it was an uninsured accident, therefore her uninsured insurance should pick up the tab.

And if she was up with you at the time on the accident, why did she not hear it? (Lawyers will ask)

[ December 15, 2002, 14:42: Message edited by: Atrocities ]

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah it was tricky as first getting it out. I couldn't figure out how to get a tool in there to mess with it. But I happened to find a small pipe wrench that my dad has and used it. I was able to get under the wheel well and use the well as a brace as I loosened the tie rod. Getting it back on was easy. Hard part is trying to guess 70FT pounds of torque with a 8 inch pipe wrench. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif So I applied about 100 pounds of pressure at 8 inches so it should be about right.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's not going up any what so ever. We aren't having them pay for it. I could if we wanted to but we arn't. Reason being is because if I did have them pay for everything my rates would go sky high being a young male driver. So we will just pay for repairs out of our pockets and keep my rates the way they were. Which was around 250.00 for every 6 months of full coverage. But it works out basically just as good. If we had them pay for it we would've had to pay a 500.00 deductable on it anyways. So basically with the deductable we would've payed for the repairs that I have made.
But I agree with you all, 600.00 to 700.00 isn't bad at all. I'm quite pleased with it actually. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

But I will be selling the car probably in a month or two. Its a good car but after this I'm sure it is bound to have some minor problems popping up more often. So it would be best to sell it now while it's low miles (80,000) and in good shape so I can get my money out of it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

Atrocities
Now that is, "Atrocious". She does not have that company.
We live 2 blocks from where it was parked. We are in an area of "Brown Stones". Picture a long street with 3 to 5 story appts. build from brick. A one way street wide enough to permit parking on either side and safely drive up the middle with 3 to 4 feet on either side of you.
Either this guy was DUI or he did it for kicks.

Re: OT: My fun evening...
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My brother lives in a area like that.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Explanation: He drank for kics and thus ended up DUI.