I need to vent :)

[lovenhim]

Hello everyone. I do not normally do things like this, but feel like I need to just get it out, then I will feel better. I want to say this up front, my wife is a good driver and has never had a car accident in her life....until today. We are both just fine, it was maybe a 2-3MPH bump. We were just given a 16 year old Ford escort. We just bought tags and insurance for it yesterday, then this happens. We were traveling at 35MPH when the guy in front of us short stopped in a Nissan Xtara. Our car almost stopped, but just that little tap. It cracked the plastic grill and put a dent in the hood. The hood latches fine, but is now a little wobbly and is raised in an inch or so at one corner because of the way the metal was bent. No other damage. The Nissan got a small dent in the rear bumper which you had to feel for to see, yet the guy was a jerk. The cop showed up and just let us both go, no tickets or report. The guy would not give us any insurance info, only a name and we got his plate number. Our 16 year old car only has liability on it. It is safe to drive but I just do not like it looking that way. I can put a grill in it from a junk yark, it is only held in with clips. To fix the hood will require body work or just replace it. It is a small dent, but it is still there. Sorry to vent like this, I am just upset and I hope the guy just lets it go and does not become a total jerk. We let out insurance company knbow what happened and gave them what info we had on him. I hope this all turns out ok and that it just ends up being forgotten and life goes on. I think I am going to light me up a stogie and let my mind wonder and not swell on this. This was not my wife's fault, the guy short stopped and our car did not stop, she was not following too close.

[Paddry69]

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. The important thing is that you're both uninjured.

[denali7432]

yeah shit happens man, thats what i tell my brother when he wants to borrow my truck and i say no cause he thinks i dont trust his driving, its not that it just that there are alot of morons behind the wheel..the main this is neither your wife or yourself were hurt..best to just put this behind you and count your blessings and move on bud.

[Medic443stl]

Glad you all are ok!!!!

[Soulend]

I am very sorry to hear about your car, but certainly glad that you and your wife are okay.

I also hope the guy lets it go, because I think the law will say you were following too closely. Virginia uses the 3-second following distance rule as a guideline. Math isn't my strong point, so I may be wrong here, but at 35 m.p.h. this would be over 150 feet; more than enough distance to stop an Escort.

At least in my state, if you rear-end someone you will be found at fault nearly 100% of the time providing his brake lights/turn signals were functioning.

[lovenhim]

Thanks for the help. I am doing better now after listening to my audiobook, a cup of tea, and a stogie. Thanks again.

[Domniomaestro]

I am also glad that you and your wife were not injured. The car is a physical possession that can be replaced. Injuries suck. Yes, I definately understand the frustration of just getting something new to you and it gets dinged. But honestly, especially since nobody got hurt, consider this good karma, and be glad it wasnt worse.

[lovenhim]

You know you are right. It could have been worse and that cop could have given us a ticket, but he let us all go and we went on our way. there is no mechanical damage to the car, no headlight damage either. Thank you all for letting me vent.

[tafdom]

I'm shocked he let you go because of a rear end hit. The guy in the back always gets a ticket here and is at fault, always. On the fix side you can also find a hood the same color at a yard and no paint is needed.

[EvilAsh]

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. The important thing is that you're both uninjured.

Ditto and ditto!