Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:19:51 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: venting about irresponsible drivers
In-Reply-To: <010301d20245$eb0666f0$c11334d0$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
One reason I put some clearance lights, extra, at the end level of a
following vehicle, on my van. When there's a car behind, at a stop, they
can't easily see the stock brake lights....too low...often their hood
blocks your taillights from their view. So they don't easily see if you
pull ahead, then apply your brakes....but wit a couple extra, up where the
Vanagon has a corner, just below the tailgate glass...those are
visible....Mine are only lit by the running lights and the brakes, not the
turn indicators.
Deal with your insurance company...they should be able to get you fixed
up...like said...any rear end is the smashee at fault according to the
law....
That being said, good luck...Just because it is a clear case doesn't mean
you'll for certain get your van fixed without a possible huge hassle and
some lo$$ of your time and money
On Aug 29, 2016 3:37 PM, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> Rear end collisions are by default caused by the driver behind, which is
> what a police officer would note. Talk to your agent and have him/her
> dispute their claim, which is patently ridiculous. Either way, you should
> get some insurance money for the repair.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of David McNeely
> Sent: Monday, August 29, 2016 2:53 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: venting about irresponsible drivers
>
> I need to vent. A week ago (last Tuesday afternoon, actually), I took my
> 1991Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile out to pick up some furniture. I
> stopped at a stop sign that controls entry from a ramp into a Y where two
> other roads enter. Both of those other roads have curves in their approach
> to the intersection that make the sight distance short.
>
> So, I stopped at the sign, then, creeped forward a bit to get a better view
> of oncoming traffic, and stopped again. Just after I stopped the second
> time, a vehicle hit the camper's rear bumper, thwack!. The damage was
> minor, a broken bumper on the passenger side rear, a small ding in the
> D-pillar, two mangled bumper mounts.
>
> The other driver and her husband both got out of their small SUV, as my
> wife and I did from the van. We all surveyed the damage. Their RAV4 had
> more, the grill, a headlight, a fender, the bumper all being sort of
> mangled. Their vehicle was about ten feet behind ours, which had been
> pushed forward by the impact.
>
> The other driver was exceedingly apologetic, saying over and over that she
> was extremely sorry that she had hit us, and that she was certain her
> insurance would take care of the damage. Her husband observed that the
> damage to our vehicle was minor AND THAT IT WAS QUITE OLD. I pointed out
> that being a classic and their being a hot market for these vans, I would
> have to fix it. He also said that their insurance would take care of it,
> and he pulled out registration papers and insurance card. We exchanged
> information, and both drove away.
>
> The next morning I called her insurance agent, and was referred to the
> claims department (of State Farm). At first I got the spiel from the
> adjuster about using the State Farm appraisal system. I listened politely
> and observed that I would get estimates from independent body shops. He
> demurred on that, but then said I would hear back from him later the same
> day.
>
> An hour later, a different person called me from State Farm to inform me
> that liability was denied, as the other driver stated that I had backed
> into her when she was stopped behind me. No witnesses except ourselves. I
> do not carry collision insurance, even on this rather pricey vehicle, as I
> prefer to drive self insured, expecting to pay my costs if I am at fault,
> and to rely on my liability insurance to fix the other driver.
>
> But that leaves me with no representation to collect from the other
> driver. I have considered small claims court. It will cost me about $2K
> to fix the camper. In court, it would just be my explanation against the
> other person's, with the only witnesses being the two drivers and their
> passengers, both spouses.
>
> Any advice? One thing I learned, despite police admonitions to just
> exchange information and be on your way, if I ever have another accident, I
> definitely will call in a patrol officer.
>
> mcneely
>
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