98 XC: My first accident

Post by **CIK7** » 26 May 2020, 16:35

I started driving within the first 3 weeks of October 2017. Not that long ago. I got my first car 10/24/17. Been clean, mean, and somewhat serene.

I've encountered some tailgating nightmares; tailgating is 1 of 2 things that first spikes my anxiety and then adrenaline. I've avoided 2 accidents with pedal-to-the floor-braking. Im fairly easy on my engine mostly, love to floor it from the 35 to 45 zone and when I'm going through mud.
May 2nd, 2020 I was on my way to Walmart, coming over a bridge on the highway, coming up to where the on ramp is. I merged into left lane and the last car coming from on ramp merged over into left lane (where I was) without hesitation. The impact scared the crap out of me, was more jolting than I expected. I'm laughing about it right now

can't stop. You can view my video on the private link here:
I can't help feeling embarrassed for my answer to the lady from other vehicle

'yes but I don't think my car is okay.'

The process through her insurance (Geico) was straightforward. I got an estimate, they totalled it, I got the payment, I called the DMV, the process was done. The part I worried about was having to junk it. DMV said that when they get a report of 80% or more damage (repair vs car value), the vehicle is deemed 'junk' and gets a junk title. I was freaking out because I searched for another P80 all over (that I could afford), but all I could find was a P2, a 2001 Volvo V70 T5M (Buzzzz Motors, Moore Oklahoma) for $2,195. Then Geico told me they only report damage % if the vehicle is 9yo or newer. Means my 22yo XC is in the clear. Keep on marchin' down the road! I have to replace the power steering pump, going to replace front lower parts, get full brake set with ATE PremiumOne discs and R1 Concepts ceramic pads. Onward with the remodeling of the Cloud!

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 26 May 2020, 17:24

Damn, no hesitation at all. What does the body damage look like on it? Door impact or quarter panels? Glad you are okay!

Post by **Chuck W** » 26 May 2020, 17:43

10-to-1 she was on her phone...

Post by **abscate** » 27 May 2020, 04:35

You will develop more defensive driving paranoia the more you drive.

.

Of my six daughters , four have good DD skills, and two are excellent. You learn to treat every driver as a threat and watch for the unexpected. Merging is definitely on of the most accident prone times. It’s tempting to just drift over when you are on cruise control, but if you keep that 3 second rule in place, you can make prevention the strategy!

Don’t sweat the salvage/ junk title. As long as you can register and run it, it’s good.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 27 May 2020, 09:21

abscate wrote: ↑27 May 2020, 04:35
Don’t sweat the salvage/ junk title. As long as you can register and run it, it’s good.

Yes, this exactly. Not a big deal, half of my cars have salvage titles

.

Anyway, how does the car look? I guess if you're driving it still, it wasn't too bad. I'm glad the insurance was easy to deal with, when my dad got hit and had to deal with the other driver's smaller insurance company, it was a pain. Bigger companies like Geico are much easier to deal with.

Post by **matthew1** » 27 May 2020, 09:31

That left-lane squatter couldn't wait to get into the left lane on a clear highway to block faster traffic and force dangerous passes on the right. Sigh.

Glad you're ok CIK7. "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"

Good recovery. The whole process -- collision, recovery, dealing with the other driver, and insurance -- appears well handled.

Post by **scot850** » 27 May 2020, 10:42

Also you were using a dash cam which shows the whole thing. Makes me realise I should finally dig the one out I bought about 3 years ago. I was recently backed into by a semi in a business premises parking lot. Police would not attend as no one was injured. Problem I have now found is the guys insurance was expired, and now the police cannot get hold of him as they also discovered his insurance was not for that semi! So now they are after him. In the old days you called the police and they came out. The issue I had they have the authority to get all the info. The guy would not give me his licence or phone number which were obvious signs of an issue. With 2 of his buddies there and him what do you do? Well now it is in the hands of the police.

Glad you are ok as that could have gone so much worse. You did everything right and I am very impressed at how calm and controlled you were. Well done! Now hopefully the car is fixable.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 28 May 2020, 07:15

Do t forget the bright side...of the four accidents you get in your life , you only have three left!