a bash, not the fun kind
So Thursday night on my way home from work, I was hit broadside by a driver trying to make an illegal left turn who then left the scene. Because it was dark and traffic was heavy I didn’t even get the make of the car or a license plate. Fortunately, neither of us was traveling at any great rate of speed and I wasn’t hurt. Waiting for the body shop assessment, but should be repairable.
I picked up a rental car yesterday morning, but a warning light came on shortly afterward and the steering wheel makes grinding noises when I turn, so have to spend some time today exchanging it. 😡
Driving in LA is really getting to be an ordeal. Between congestion, people texting or talking on their phones (which tends to make congestion worse), or those who just don’t think they need to adhere to traffic laws…it’s like Thunderdome out there!
That said, I’m thankful that I wasn’t injured, that we have insurance and can manage the deductible (which we have to pony up due to the hit-and-run) and that having a vehicle in the shop doesn’t mean the loss of our livelihood. Many are not so fortunate.
I hope my auto baby is fixed soon!!
Edited to add: I made this and posted it a few years ago, feel free to Pin and share!
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So glad you are okay!! Driving has become a challenge with the phone distractions and people seem to be in more of a hurry…or maybe I am just slowing down…I am currently scared behind the wheel of my car because of the faulty airbags. One of life’s little annoyances. Again, so glad you are fine.
I ike the way you are counting your blessings in the midst of all of this. Now we can speculate as to why the driver left the scene.
Oh sorry this happened to you, Susan! And I’m relieved you’re not hurt. I agree driving seems to be more dangerous, and no doubt “smart” phones (!) are partly to blame. We are indeed fortunate that these setbacks don’t wipe us out financially, as they would for many. xox
Sorry about this accident. LA is definitely getting harder to drive in. And nastier.
dont worry- they who damaged you are cowards and will pay karma wise eventually………..
That’s horrible! Here in Boston, I’ve learned to be extra careful as a pedestrian, because so many people are texting at lights. While they’re turning! I look inside the cars now before I cross the street.
I was the victim of a hit and run years ago. I was able to get the license plate number and to report it to the police. At the time, the Minneapolis PD had one officer assigned to these cases, and it was quickly ascertained that it was as unlicensed vehicle (after a private sale, the new owner did not register it). For about five years, I would occasioanally get a notice of the driver’s missed court appearance or some such, and then one day, out of the blue, received a check from the court for about 75% of my initial repair bill. I no longer even owned that car, but I used it for a little personal splurge. Sometimes there is a hint of justice in the universe.
Today I think parking lots are the worst, with people backing up as they hold their phones, and never turn their heads to look as they turn out into the driving lane, or fight for that space that is 25 feet closer to the door. I’m glad you are alright, and that the car can be repaired. Stay safe.
Definitely not fun! Am glad that you are alright!
So glad you are okay! And it’s not just LA…people drive like maniacs with no regard to others pretty much everywhere.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
I’m so sorry and am glad you’re okay. While my first impulse might be to see if there were any security cameras that might have picked up who it was, finding the driver probably wouldn’t help anyway, and would just cause you more hassle. Good luck with all of this.
Susan I’m so glad you’re ok. I’m currently in Honolulu and traffic here (although on a smaller scale) is just as crazy. Hope you get your car back soon! It seems we have to be defensive drivers–but even then out of the blue will come a driver with no regard for others, or for driving laws. Take care of yourself!
Cars, generally, are just not fun to me. Very grateful you or the other party (or others) not hurt.
We now live car-free; I know many could not do that, but having arranged things so we can, not owning one is such a relief. With all the new car sharing services, we can use a car when needed and otherwise not have the worry and hassle.
Definitely not the fun kind – that’s a horrible way to end any day and glad you’re not hurt. While we don’t know if the other driver was texting, here in British Columbia, there’s a great new campaign intended to reduce accidents about “leave your phone alone”.
Sounds like good advice in general – I used to tell my husband that I wanted a sign for the car that said “Hang up and drive”. Then, I needed the other side to say “Hang up and walk” for all those pedestrians crossing busy streets, head down, staring at a phone. And now I think the sign should just say “Hang up and live”. Hope your weekend is restful after the ordeal.
Your attitude is something for us all to emulate – in the face of something unquestionably negative, you find the cup still half full. I’m so happy you’re okay, and delighted that you’re making it a positive in your life.
big hug,
Janice
It is so sad but it is the same here in Oklahoma City. Drivers who have what I call the BIG Me – I will do whatever I want. You cannot drive into an intersection after a light change until you have waited for the drivers who are running the red light. I think it says something about the state of our country and the lack of integrity.
It’s so good to see the positive. After an accident a few years back I was in such shock about it (I wasn’t hurt but the car had a lot of damage). I was so grateful for the insurance company’s care, calling to check on me, and to the garage who painstakingly put my car back together so well. I still am grateful whenever I think of it. Glad you’re ok.
I’m glad you’re ok. It shakes you up though doesn’t it. Santa Barbara area isn’t quite as bad, but I see crazy drivers every day. I always say a prayer before I head out.
Oh no! Glad you weren’t hurt, but the adrenalin let down and the inconvenience are nothing to scoff at:(
So sorry about your accident, so glad to hear you’re unharmed, and so impressed by your positive attitude. Here in Vancouver, today’s news includes police finding and charging the hit-and-run driver who severely injured a young woman (a pedestrian) 2 years ago. She’s had 20 surgeries in that time; one can only hope the driver has suffered a matching weight of guilt.
I am sorry that your car got damaged but if is a relief to know that you are not injured. The driver of the other car would have sustained damages too…but they should have stopped and not driven away. I often wonder why people choose to do the wrong things…
I know what an inconvenience it is not to have your own car…mine was in the body shop for several days after a hit and run…the loaner car they gave me was like riding on a lawn mower!
Take care and good luck with your car repair…the body shops do amazing work so it should be as good as new when you get it back.
Glad you are ok and the cute car can be fixed. Driving in L.A. sounds as bad as driving in Seattle at rush hour these days. Cell phones have certainly not helped the cause of drivers in big cities around the country… Bon weekend, and I hope you got a better replacement car… Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
So sorry to hear this, but glad you are OK. I see this in SF too. Too many drivers using phones in spite of hands free laws, too many drivers texting while driving (I can see them from my pickup truck). I guess the good part of this is that more drivers on the road mean that the economy has picked up.
Very bad luck. Glad you are not hurt. Am sure the French drivers are as bad if not worse than the residents of Los Angeles.
Awe… Hate to hear you had this happen. No fun at all, and shakes one up, a bit! You have a good attitude Susan, Shame on the person who hit you and ran. My motto: you never get away with wrong doing.
Glad you were not hurt!
Years ago while living in New Orleans, I was rear-ended. Got out of my car to collect the usual information. As soon as I got out of the car the other driver took off in a big hurry. I noticed that the driver was a little white haired old lady and she had a couple of other older ladies in the car with her. I reported the hit and run to the police and luckily had remembered her car license number. They found her and her companions at the local bingo hall. When they asked her why she left the scene of the accident, she told them they were late for bingo……..
So happy you were not hurt. I am with you on traffic nightmares. I work in DC (a daily drive of 100 miles-RT). I refer to it as the Death Commute: someone is usually trying to kill me at least twice a day.
Yikes! Glad you’re okay. What an awful person to hit you & run like that. What if you’d been hurt? Ugh.
So sorry to hear about your accident and the trouble that followed. We moved from Orange county 4 years ago. Today I got home from 3 days staying with our youngest daughter and husband. I have to say, I absolutely abhor the traffic In OC and LA. I agree with you about all of the things people do in their cars, that takes away from the concentration, it’s not safe and they are rude.
Carcentric development is simply not sustainable in cities any more. There are simply too many people and vehicles, and among those people, the usual contingent of ijuts and arseholes. Portable phones and especially texting (among drivers, pedestrians and cyclists) only up the ante. Repairing the damage will require public transport of a much higher standard (that people of all income levels will want to take, and people of all abilities can, physically) is required. About the best example of that is modern trams/streetcars or light rail.
I’m very sorry to hear of your misadventure and its annoying – and expensive – consequences, but very relieved that you were not hurt. I still remember a party of Italian studies graduate students, was driven home by a driver who was cold sober (pregnant, as a matter of fact) and some ijut also burnt a red light and crashed right into the side of the car where I was sitting. I was pretty much unhurt but my long dark hair was full of glass shards (fortunately, I didn’t get any in my eyes). Perhaps some minor contusions. I was shaken though, and obviously so was our driver – not the kind of event you want during a pregnancy.
I am so sorry to what happened but so glad that you are okay. Orange County drivers are not any better either.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Something similar happened to my son (in our car): the other driver got out, said “It’s your fault,” showed a state id. He lacked both a driver’s license and a license plate. Then he fled. The police wouldn’t even come. Our car was deemed a total loss and we had to buy a new one, alas. Lots of bad people out there.
Like others, I admire your zen attitude.
Driving has become a hazard. Period. People who don’t use their turn signals drive me crazy. Glad you were ok, and neither going very fast but still…..a total annoyance and just one more thing to deal with!
Just for a bit of positive spin, I was cycling to a natural foods shop about ten minutes’ east of my house, and was waiting at the stop at a major intersection with a little smart car – that was fully electric! We waved at each other. Not all people are arstles. Not all cyclists run red lights, and not all motorists drive absurdly large and thirsty cars…
Driving in Los Angeles has become such a huge pain. I think people get so frustrated with the traffic and all the road work, etc. that it contributes to the general anger and lack of attention behind the wheel, not only the phones, which are bad enough. We drove from our home to Culver City at 5pm on a Thursday night for an art opening, and it took us almost 90 minutes, rather than the 15 it should have been. I’m sorry about your car, but glad you weren’t hurt of course.