Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 21:59:08 -0400
Reply-To: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Edward Maglott <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
Subject: Battering Ram vs. Ford Escort
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
I have some photos up of the damage to my vanagon:
http://buncombe.main.nc.us/~emaglott/pp010/index.htm
Got 2 estimates so far, in the $2000-$2500 range. The VW dealer said that
the 86 vanagon was only worth $1100, and they would total it. The other
body shop said the estimate was only $150 above the value for a regular
vanagon, not a camper, and that with the rest of the vehicle being in good
shape, they wouldn't total it. I hope I come out OK on this. All I've
gotten from the other driver's insurance company in the way of contact is a
form in the mail to fill out and send back with my estimates...
My original post on this is below.
Edward
I was on my way this afternoon to have a friend weld in my passenger side
seat swivel. Smacked into the left rear of a ford escort with my right
front. Its driver decided to make a left turn from the right lane, while I
was passing them in the left lane. I laid on the horn and the brakes, and
got that sinking feeling as the car disappeared below my windshield. Spun
the escort a tad more than 90 degrees. Last I saw the escort, I was headed
right for the driver's door, so I'm glad I hit it farther back near the
corner. Unfortunately, enough of the impact occurred above the bumper to
dent in the front pretty good, break the right headlight and side marker
light and knock off the lower grill. I'm not sure if the grill is broken
or not yet. Other driver was charged with a safe movement violation, but
is claiming they were in the left lane already when turning left. Officer
doesn't go for that story based on the damage and how the vehicles ended
up. I may have to testify against other driver. Oh well. I hope
insurance will help me out... Vanagon is an 86 weekender converted to full
westy. Chrome bumper is all tweaked on the right side, but the big
structure under it appears completely unscathed. I was not afraid at all
when i realized I was going to hit the other car, because I knew I had the
battering ram technology on my side!
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