CALTRANS Damage Claim
10-26-2009, 10:58 AM
#1
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CALTRANS Damage Claim
Looks like another case of the Mondays. Luckily I am sulking over this at home rather than work so I figure I might as well make it a productive day and share my unfolding story with you guys.
At about 1AM this morning I was getting on I-80E (Bay Bridge) via 5th/Bryant onramp. The S suddenly had a major clunking sound from the rear and wouldn't roll. I managed to /steer/ point it into the shoulder. CHP came by about 5 minutes later and called me a tow.
Apparently only CALTRANS is allowed to do any towing on the Bay Bridge so they came, hooked it up, and CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK. I'm guessing I have a blown differential because they were towing with the rear wheels on the ground. So far, the CHP officer has me locked up in the tow truck so I still have almost no clue/say in what is going on. A flatbed tow comes out and they get it up on that with more clunking sound. Our caravan makes it over to the other side of the bridge to the West Grand/Maritime St exit and a AAA tow is waiting.
CALTRANS has the flatbed slowly angling down then PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH. Hydraulic fluid spews everywhere and all over the S. They finally get the flatbed all the way down but there's still some sort of mechanical problem. So here is the brilliant part...
CALTRANS cut the chains loose then has my car come down that slant with NO CONTROL. BAM BAM, the car comes to a stop a good half-car's length away when he eventually pulls the e-brake. Thanks for the consultation guys.
AAA tow contractor does a great job and the S is at the shop by 3AM.
Damage summary:
-front bumper
-rear bumper
-left headlight
-exhaust
-possible paint damage: left/right fender, hood, driver door
To do list:
-call shop for diagnosis, damage report
-file CALTRANS damage claim
At about 1AM this morning I was getting on I-80E (Bay Bridge) via 5th/Bryant onramp. The S suddenly had a major clunking sound from the rear and wouldn't roll. I managed to /steer/ point it into the shoulder. CHP came by about 5 minutes later and called me a tow.
Apparently only CALTRANS is allowed to do any towing on the Bay Bridge so they came, hooked it up, and CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK. I'm guessing I have a blown differential because they were towing with the rear wheels on the ground. So far, the CHP officer has me locked up in the tow truck so I still have almost no clue/say in what is going on. A flatbed tow comes out and they get it up on that with more clunking sound. Our caravan makes it over to the other side of the bridge to the West Grand/Maritime St exit and a AAA tow is waiting.
CALTRANS has the flatbed slowly angling down then PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH. Hydraulic fluid spews everywhere and all over the S. They finally get the flatbed all the way down but there's still some sort of mechanical problem. So here is the brilliant part...
CALTRANS cut the chains loose then has my car come down that slant with NO CONTROL. BAM BAM, the car comes to a stop a good half-car's length away when he eventually pulls the e-brake. Thanks for the consultation guys.
AAA tow contractor does a great job and the S is at the shop by 3AM.
Damage summary:
-front bumper
-rear bumper
-left headlight
-exhaust
-possible paint damage: left/right fender, hood, driver door
To do list:
-call shop for diagnosis, damage report
-file CALTRANS damage claim
10-26-2009, 03:46 PM
#6
If you have any problems with Caltrans, contact Gary Richards (Mr. Roadshow) from the San Jose Mercury News. He pulls some weight in the Bay Area transportation world. But I would expect that if you have AAA insurance, they will be able to take care of it all for you. That's part of what you pay them for!
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10-27-2009, 10:57 AM
#10
Registered User
Originally Posted by cpx3mbp,Oct 26 2009, 03:30 PM
@jasonw just got off the phone with AAA and they're going to take care of everything
now just have to find a differential
now just have to find a differential