Almost had my life taken away...

pbdm4k · 03-01-2008, 06:13 AM

My heart still races as I type this and the adrenaline still flows through me...

I was going home in my Jetta from my friend's house this morning at 5:30am cruising down the street when a snow plow runs a red light at the intersection right in front of me completely in the way with maybe 3-4 car lengths before I ended up T boning him. Being that we just had 10cm of snow, the roads are pretty slick and stopping was not an option; especially on a downhill section of road. I hit the horn and swerved to avoid the plow flying into oncoming traffic and flying up on the curb as the plow misses the back of my car by mere inches. Lucky there wasn't much traffic and the oncoming traffic was able to move to the centre lane to avoid me as I plowed over the curb and the snow banks...

I slowly pulled the car back to the correct side of the road and came to a stop. A witness came up and pulled up behind me with a full car of people who all saw the action and they too feared that if I had hit the plow would not have been able to stop and them too would have been part of what could have been a massive lump of flesh and metal.

I almost died... Had I hit that plow I would have been game over. No reset button.

The witness was kind enough to follow me home (about 10 min away) and I limped the car home with bent rear axle (like 45* positive camber on the driver side) at 20km/h.

My heart won't calm down and I'm stuck at home waiting for a police officer to show up so I can make my report.

I don't have collision insurance and I didn't hit another car or get hit by another car. Will insurance pay for the damages or am I so f**ked that I'll be scarred for life driving through snow with a freakish fear of snow plows... A fear greater than that of circus clowns.. (I hate clowns).

By now I've been awake nearly 22 hours and the adrenaline won't stop flowing... It's been an hour and half since the accident...

soeharyo · 03-01-2008, 07:37 AM

wow... what a day...

glad that you're fine, although mentally disturbed

as far as i know, I don't think your insurance would cover it. I think when the insurance company is concerned, you had control of the vehicle and they might take the full deductible.

I am sure you can explain that the damage is due to an evasive maneuver to avoid a larger accident. I hope these insurance companies have compassion.

I hope you get some rest and feel better.

takedown8 · 03-01-2008, 08:03 AM

Holy smokes. Glad to hear you're okay.

As long as there's a police report and you have names of witnesses who can corroborate the snowplow driver was at fault, then his (or the city's) insurance should cover damages to your car. If they try to avoid it, take them to court and threaten civil court action for any injuries you may have sustained.

ianbiz · 03-01-2008, 08:19 AM

Glad to hear you're alright though.

Z20 · 03-01-2008, 09:21 AM

glad to hear that you are fine dont worry about the rest, health first.

Dammmittt · 03-01-2008, 09:29 AM

I've seen snow plows do that in the city too, almost running over pedestrians in the cross walk. Dunno if its the hours they work or they just don't give a damn. Glad you're ok.

F87LUV · 03-01-2008, 10:22 AM

Glad youre ok!!!

Reach · 03-01-2008, 10:50 AM

If you don't have collision insurance, then you won't get anything for your car, witnesses and police report aside. You hit something, and you're not covered for it. Incidental insurance only covers damage to someone else's vehicle / property that you cause with your vehicle.

I am sorry to hear of the terrifying experience. I was up on Toronto last month with the pedestrian woman was killed by a plow as it plowed her over while she was walking down a shoulder. You really have to watch out for those big mothers up there.

pbdm4k · 03-01-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takedown8

Holy smokes. Glad to hear you're okay.

As long as there's a police report and you have names of witnesses who can corroborate the snowplow driver was at fault, then his (or the city's) insurance should cover damages to your car. If they try to avoid it, take them to court and threaten civil court action for any injuries you may have sustained.

Not quite a hit and run as myself nor the witness could see the license plate of the snow plow.

Police officer said there isn't much they can do when no one knows who ran the red light.

Being a pickup truck plow. It's also a private company and not the city's plows.

I managed to get in 3 hours of sleep and my heart rate still feels irregular.

At this point I really hope the insurance company sees my decision of evading the car as a wise one to avoid a bigger accident and hopefully give me some money for the repairs.

In the meantime, I need to get a rental car that the insurance company may not pay for. Although I don't quite feel like driving right now...

Thanks for the concern guys, I think I'm physically okay, but I'm still shocked over the whole situation.

If I collided with the plow, I may probably be in the hospital but insurance would pay. Seeing as I evaded the plow... insurance may not pay, but at least I'm sleeping in my own bed.

Insurance companies = the devil.

inTgr8r · 03-01-2008, 01:54 PM

Holy SCHIT!!!!
So glad to hear that you're OK!!!!!

I'm sure it was a case of the plow working all night & overtired.....
Too bad you didn't get the plate to ID him.

Brucewonder · 03-01-2008, 02:11 PM

Glad your OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rosierobins2003 · 03-01-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z20

glad to hear that you are fine dont worry about the rest, health first.

X2.

Makes you realize what your prioritites are. Hope things work out financially, but at least your ok.....well, weren't physically injured. Hoping you got the witness info to help your case with the insurance company.

It does kinda shake up your world..I say that from the bay area....earthquake central.

Rosie

shiyan · 03-01-2008, 02:51 PM

glad you're ok

gokartmozart · 03-01-2008, 05:21 PM

Hope everything works out for the best. You are safe and the car is repairable. Lucky stars and all!

peakpro · 03-01-2008, 09:49 PM

glad that your OK...

now...relax a little bit...and then start enjoying life again....

Traxxer · 03-01-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reach

If you don't have collision insurance, then you won't get anything for your car, witnesses and police report aside. You hit something, and you're not covered for it. Incidental insurance only covers damage to someone else's vehicle / property that you cause with your vehicle.

I am sorry to hear of the terrifying experience. I was up on Toronto last month with the pedestrian woman was killed by a plow as it plowed her over while she was walking down a shoulder. You really have to watch out for those big mothers up there.

It's sad but I can testify what Reach said is true. This happened to me about a year ago where I too tried to avoid being hit due to a car trying to beat the red light. I swerved out and lost control and bam, my car was totaled. Since the other car didn't actually hit me the accident was deemed my fault according to my insurance company - AAA.

What got me through the event was knowing that I was physically ok more or less. As Bob Marley said in his death bed, "Money can't buy life" so count your blessings. I'm glad you made it through unharmed.

Zeddy4Me · 03-02-2008, 01:15 AM

GLad you're OK... just try to relax and take it easy for awhile...

Rick Hunter · 03-02-2008, 04:45 AM

Just read what happened... I'm glad you're OK. As for the dude in the snowplow...

rosierobins2003 · 03-02-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traxxer

It's sad but I can testify what Reach said is true. This happened to me about a year ago where I too tried to avoid being hit due to a car trying to beat the red light. I swerved out and lost control and bam, my car was totaled. Since the other car didn't actually hit me the accident was deemed my fault according to my insurance company - AAA.

What got me through the event was knowing that I was physically ok more or less. As Bob Marley said in his death bed, "Money can't buy life" so count your blessings. I'm glad you made it through unharmed.

so what's the tact to take on these things...don't try to avoid hitting another car and end up hitting something else instead...AIM for the car so its no question to be someone other than your fault?

Rosie

Dammmittt · 03-02-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosierobins2003

so what's the tact to take on these things...don't try to avoid hitting another car and end up hitting something else instead...AIM for the car so its no question to be someone other than your fault?

Rosie

I think the goal is to not collide with anything, but with the road conditions, I'm not sure he had much of a choice. In snow, it's best to go slow, but if some dude runs a red light, the chances of you seeing him, reacting and avoid collision are slim...especially when you've got a slippery road.

FloridaBoy · 03-02-2008, 02:04 PM

WOW, be careful up there...
and get some decent insurance!

karmasabish · 03-02-2008, 03:33 PM

wow glad to hear you made it ok..

03-01-2008, 06:13 AM	#1
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 75 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	Almost had my life taken away... My heart still races as I type this and the adrenaline still flows through me... I was going home in my Jetta from my friend's house this morning at 5:30am cruising down the street when a snow plow runs a red light at the intersection right in front of me completely in the way with maybe 3-4 car lengths before I ended up T boning him. Being that we just had 10cm of snow, the roads are pretty slick and stopping was not an option; especially on a downhill section of road. I hit the horn and swerved to avoid the plow flying into oncoming traffic and flying up on the curb as the plow misses the back of my car by mere inches. Lucky there wasn't much traffic and the oncoming traffic was able to move to the centre lane to avoid me as I plowed over the curb and the snow banks... I slowly pulled the car back to the correct side of the road and came to a stop. A witness came up and pulled up behind me with a full car of people who all saw the action and they too feared that if I had hit the plow would not have been able to stop and them too would have been part of what could have been a massive lump of flesh and metal. I almost died... Had I hit that plow I would have been game over. No reset button. The witness was kind enough to follow me home (about 10 min away) and I limped the car home with bent rear axle (like 45* positive camber on the driver side) at 20km/h. My heart won't calm down and I'm stuck at home waiting for a police officer to show up so I can make my report. I don't have collision insurance and I didn't hit another car or get hit by another car. Will insurance pay for the damages or am I so fked that I'll be scarred for life driving through snow with a freakish fear of snow plows... A fear greater than that of circus clowns.. (I hate clowns). By now I've been awake nearly 22 hours and the adrenaline won't stop flowing... It's been an hour and half since the accident... __________________ 2010 BMW 335d "Ha! She wants the D." 2006 VW Jetta 2.5** Once upon a time... '03 VW GTI, '99 Audi A4 1.8TQ, '00 VW Jetta 1.85T, '09 BMW 335i xDrive, '04 BMW Z4 3.0i, '01 Audi TT 1.8T, '04 Volvo S80 2.5T
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03-01-2008, 07:37 AM	#2
soeharyo lettuce 18 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI iTrader: (0)	wow... what a day... glad that you're fine, although mentally disturbed as far as i know, I don't think your insurance would cover it. I think when the insurance company is concerned, you had control of the vehicle and they might take the full deductible. I am sure you can explain that the damage is due to an evasive maneuver to avoid a larger accident. I hope these insurance companies have compassion. I hope you get some rest and feel better.
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03-01-2008, 08:03 AM	#3
takedown8 Major 56 Rep 1,068 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Holy smokes. Glad to hear you're okay. As long as there's a police report and you have names of witnesses who can corroborate the snowplow driver was at fault, then his (or the city's) insurance should cover damages to your car. If they try to avoid it, take them to court and threaten civil court action for any injuries you may have sustained.
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03-01-2008, 08:19 AM	#4
ianbiz Back in a BMW 205 Rep 5,208 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (8)	Glad to hear you're alright though. __________________ Ian
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03-01-2008, 09:21 AM	#5
Z20 Private 1 Rep 57 Posts Drives: Z4 2.5 2005 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ATHENS GRRECE iTrader: (0)	glad to hear that you are fine dont worry about the rest, health first. __________________
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03-01-2008, 09:29 AM	#6
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	I've seen snow plows do that in the city too, almost running over pedestrians in the cross walk. Dunno if its the hours they work or they just don't give a damn. Glad you're ok. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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03-01-2008, 10:22 AM	#7
F87LUV Lieutenant General 3689 Rep 15,081 Posts Drives: '16 M2, '23 GT4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 Porsche GT4 [5.00] 2016 BMW M2 [8.66]	Glad youre ok!!! __________________ IG: Trackinheels
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03-01-2008, 10:50 AM	#8
Reach gone baby gone 382 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Location, Location. iTrader: (0)	If you don't have collision insurance, then you won't get anything for your car, witnesses and police report aside. You hit something, and you're not covered for it. Incidental insurance only covers damage to someone else's vehicle / property that you cause with your vehicle. I am sorry to hear of the terrifying experience. I was up on Toronto last month with the pedestrian woman was killed by a plow as it plowed her over while she was walking down a shoulder. You really have to watch out for those big mothers up there.
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03-01-2008, 01:54 PM	#10
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Holy SCHIT!!!! So glad to hear that you're OK!!!!! I'm sure it was a case of the plow working all night & overtired..... Too bad you didn't get the plate to ID him. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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03-01-2008, 02:11 PM	#11
Brucewonder Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,541 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 yea boi Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Socal iTrader: (4)	Glad your OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ 2011.5 E92 ///M3 SSII/FR
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03-01-2008, 02:51 PM	#13
shiyan has no social skills 18 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 3.0 Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Antwerp, Belgium iTrader: (0)	glad you're ok
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03-01-2008, 05:21 PM	#14
gokartmozart Enlisted Member 0 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 M Coupe, & 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX iTrader: (0)	Hope everything works out for the best. You are safe and the car is repairable. Lucky stars and all! __________________ 2008 Z4 M Coupe (Alpine White / Imola Red / Carbon Leather trim) 2005 530i (wife's DD) 2003 Z4 3.0 6sp (college son's hand-me-down)
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03-01-2008, 09:49 PM	#15
peakpro Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 290 Posts Drives: ex-Z4; now looking Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	glad that your OK... now...relax a little bit...and then start enjoying life again....
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03-02-2008, 01:15 AM	#17
Zeddy4Me Lieutenant 24 Rep 442 Posts Drives: 09, AW E90 M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (2)	GLad you're OK... just try to relax and take it easy for awhile... __________________
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03-02-2008, 04:45 AM	#18
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 307 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	Just read what happened... I'm glad you're OK. As for the dude in the snowplow... __________________
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03-02-2008, 02:04 PM	#21
FloridaBoy First Lieutenant 19 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.oi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0)	WOW, be careful up there... and get some decent insurance! __________________ 2005 3.0i, Black Sapphire, SMG, Navigation, Heated leather, iPod w/Dice, Carver Subs, Sport, Foamless SG, 3M Clear Bra, Sirius, 18 inch 107's
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03-02-2008, 03:33 PM	#22
karmasabish Lieutenant 37 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	wow glad to hear you made it ok..
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