birkdale10
Well-known member
I was coming off the mountains and the wonderful twisty roads, into Silverton, CO. There was a dark SUV ahead. Speed limit had reduced to about 25, and I was doing that. The SUV started slowing, just as we were coming close to a gas station, on the left.
I have told this story before, and I admit this: I. Made. An. Assumption.
It looked like the SUV was slowing to turn into the station. There were 2-3 cars coming towards us, and it would have been appropriate for the driver to slow to get to the entrance. But he kept slowing. I was behind him. Couldn't pass: he looked as if he was turning left, and...traffic. So I slowed behind him.
He came to a complete stop, half on the road, half on the shoulder (gravel covered). I also came to a stop, about a car length behind.
Then he went into reverse.
I started blowing the horn. Aftermarket Fiamms, a bit louder than stock. I was blaring at least 5 to 6 seconds. I tried to push backwards, still honking. But...I mentioned gravel? I did not want to have my boot slip. He hit me. And stopped.
It still gets my blood boiling, as well as brings back the sheer helpless feeling. I was looking through his vehicle at his mirror and I could see him looking at his side mirror. He would have seen me in the inside mirror...but he didn't look.
He cracked my fender, one small piece broke off. Did NOT hurt the tire, did NOT damage the wheel. I did NOT fall over. If he had gone back 3 more inches, it would have been much worse.
He jumped out yelling "I'm sorry! I didn't see you!"
Police called. The employee at the gas station/convenience store had the door open, and when I started honking, she looked up and told the police that she saw me, halted, not moving, and the SUV hit me. I said the same thing. Again, the driver kept apologizing that he didn't see me when he was backing up. Then we each filled out the police report. He said: He was backing up and I ran into him.
Why? Why was he backing up? He was not trying to go into the gas station. His wife wanted to get a picture of the "Welcome to Silverton" sign that he had just passed!
I'm on a trip from Dallas to Alaska. I'm barely started. I don't have time to work with insurance, so I waited until I got home and got in touch with Farmer's Insurance. The SUV driver's insurance. After a couple of phone calls, they made a determination: I was 'only' 30% at fault. So they will pay 70% of the cost of the new front fender.
I am again outraged. I simply do not know if there is anything else I can do to protest this. The driver is from Arizona, I'm from Texas, the accident in Colorado. The driver was given a ticket for the incident, and the policeman told me in clear terms that I was not at fault in any way, and sent me on my way.
So I ask anyone that has taken the time to read this. What could I do differently? What can I now do? Is there any recourse, after the 'other guys' insurance has made a decision?
I'm sorry if I'm too wordy. As I said, every time I tell the tale, I get angry and frustrated again. But, I also feel better after sharing.
I have told this story before, and I admit this: I. Made. An. Assumption.
It looked like the SUV was slowing to turn into the station. There were 2-3 cars coming towards us, and it would have been appropriate for the driver to slow to get to the entrance. But he kept slowing. I was behind him. Couldn't pass: he looked as if he was turning left, and...traffic. So I slowed behind him.
He came to a complete stop, half on the road, half on the shoulder (gravel covered). I also came to a stop, about a car length behind.
Then he went into reverse.
I started blowing the horn. Aftermarket Fiamms, a bit louder than stock. I was blaring at least 5 to 6 seconds. I tried to push backwards, still honking. But...I mentioned gravel? I did not want to have my boot slip. He hit me. And stopped.
It still gets my blood boiling, as well as brings back the sheer helpless feeling. I was looking through his vehicle at his mirror and I could see him looking at his side mirror. He would have seen me in the inside mirror...but he didn't look.
He cracked my fender, one small piece broke off. Did NOT hurt the tire, did NOT damage the wheel. I did NOT fall over. If he had gone back 3 more inches, it would have been much worse.
He jumped out yelling "I'm sorry! I didn't see you!"
Police called. The employee at the gas station/convenience store had the door open, and when I started honking, she looked up and told the police that she saw me, halted, not moving, and the SUV hit me. I said the same thing. Again, the driver kept apologizing that he didn't see me when he was backing up. Then we each filled out the police report. He said: He was backing up and I ran into him.
Why? Why was he backing up? He was not trying to go into the gas station. His wife wanted to get a picture of the "Welcome to Silverton" sign that he had just passed!
I'm on a trip from Dallas to Alaska. I'm barely started. I don't have time to work with insurance, so I waited until I got home and got in touch with Farmer's Insurance. The SUV driver's insurance. After a couple of phone calls, they made a determination: I was 'only' 30% at fault. So they will pay 70% of the cost of the new front fender.
I am again outraged. I simply do not know if there is anything else I can do to protest this. The driver is from Arizona, I'm from Texas, the accident in Colorado. The driver was given a ticket for the incident, and the policeman told me in clear terms that I was not at fault in any way, and sent me on my way.
So I ask anyone that has taken the time to read this. What could I do differently? What can I now do? Is there any recourse, after the 'other guys' insurance has made a decision?
I'm sorry if I'm too wordy. As I said, every time I tell the tale, I get angry and frustrated again. But, I also feel better after sharing.
