Skid .... Bang :)
05-10-2012, 07:05 AM
#1
Skid .... Bang :)
That's my passenger tyre mark on the grass going into the hedge on the left taking avoiding action ( stationery at this point ) and the skid marks coming towards me tell the rest of the story.
I'd guess he was doing about 45 to 50 when he saw me and realised he had nowhere to go. Total lock up on his part and going too quick to react properly and also due to being 17 and only just passed his test, no skill to react properly.
That sudden direction change is his moving car bouncing off my stopped one.
If he'd managed to control the skid and get over another foot ... he'd have missed me totally.
So ... took him straight to my local friendly bodyshop, £250 cash and i'll have a straight wing, fixed crack in the bumper, respray of bumper and wing and a front wheel powdercoated. Tracking is fine, wheel isn't bent, just scuffed and headlight brackets aren't snapped. None of the shut lines are out of place at the rear of the front wing or at the top of the wing next to the bonnet so a lucky escape really.
I'm on holiday, i don't need the aggravation or expense of dealing with insurance and at 17 .. he certainly doesn't. I know what insurance are like, it would have ended up going 50/50 and it would have cost me a chunk of excess, easier to be pleasant, shake hands and deal with it sensibly and keep it all in perspective.
I'd guess he was doing about 45 to 50 when he saw me and realised he had nowhere to go. Total lock up on his part and going too quick to react properly and also due to being 17 and only just passed his test, no skill to react properly.
That sudden direction change is his moving car bouncing off my stopped one.
If he'd managed to control the skid and get over another foot ... he'd have missed me totally.
So ... took him straight to my local friendly bodyshop, £250 cash and i'll have a straight wing, fixed crack in the bumper, respray of bumper and wing and a front wheel powdercoated. Tracking is fine, wheel isn't bent, just scuffed and headlight brackets aren't snapped. None of the shut lines are out of place at the rear of the front wing or at the top of the wing next to the bonnet so a lucky escape really.
I'm on holiday, i don't need the aggravation or expense of dealing with insurance and at 17 .. he certainly doesn't. I know what insurance are like, it would have ended up going 50/50 and it would have cost me a chunk of excess, easier to be pleasant, shake hands and deal with it sensibly and keep it all in perspective.
05-10-2012, 07:12 AM
#2
I'm sure he appreciated it, big time! And I'm sure you may not have been so understanding if he had not been so (presumably) apologetic and accommodating?
Long old skid though, and no ABS by the look of it.
Long old skid though, and no ABS by the look of it.
05-10-2012, 07:16 AM
#3
His insurance on a 1.0 Corsa was £2500 and a £1000 excess TPFT. Based on the damage ( i had a good look to make sure what was and wasn't bent and a quick drive up the road to test the tracking / steering etc) and I'm a reasonable chap, it's the easiest way to deal with it. I'll get the car back repaired on Sunday afternoon 
No ABS no, as you come over the bridge hump it loses you enough traction for that split second you need it, couple that with a bit too much speed and that's what happens. To be fair he was instantly on the brakes and it could have been LOTS worse.
That and the fact we've all been there, everyone deserves to be cut a bit of slack.
No ABS no, as you come over the bridge hump it loses you enough traction for that split second you need it, couple that with a bit too much speed and that's what happens. To be fair he was instantly on the brakes and it could have been LOTS worse.That and the fact we've all been there, everyone deserves to be cut a bit of slack.
05-10-2012, 07:27 AM
#5
It's that almost comical slow motion thing as it happens .... literally a passenger. Hold on and wait to see what explodes in a shower of paint and plastic around you
05-10-2012, 07:39 AM
#7
Cash in hand 'weekend job' AJ - there's no broken tabs on the bumper,wing or the arch liner, it's just a bend in the wing and a split in the bumper which my mate said is an easy fix - he's a proper panel beater and there's a powdercoater next door to him so that's the wheel sorted.
Worst i'll need are some trim clips ( of which i have plenty spares) and a polish but then it hasn't been washed since Christmas so it needed that anyway.
Worst i'll need are some trim clips ( of which i have plenty spares) and a polish but then it hasn't been washed since Christmas so it needed that anyway.
Trending Topics
05-10-2012, 07:46 AM
#8
Assuming his insurance know about all the tat on his car and would honour the insurance 
By the length of those skids marks he was moveing fast and didn't react too quickly
Glad you are OK and the damage is easily fixable.
I think the "cash" route probably saved you alot more hassle than you realise
I hope he learns a lesson from it
By the length of those skids marks he was moveing fast and didn't react too quickly
Glad you are OK and the damage is easily fixable.
I think the "cash" route probably saved you alot more hassle than you realise
I hope he learns a lesson from it
05-10-2012, 07:52 AM
#9
Originally Posted by unclefester' timestamp='1336663003' post='21686157
His insurance on a 1.0 Corsa was £2500 and a £1000 excess TPFT.
By the length of those skids marks he was moveing fast and didn't react too quickly
Glad you are OK and the damage is easily fixable.
I think the "cash" route probably saved you alot more hassle than you realise
I hope he learns a lesson from it
The length of the skid is largely because he lifted off the ground as he tried to apply the brakes coming over the hump in the road, by then it was locked up and just sliding under momentum. It had been raining, the road was damp and that section of road doesn't have the best tarmac quality etc etc etc.
05-10-2012, 08:06 AM
#10
Shame as i know you look after your car, he is a very lucky boy, i'm paying double that for the back end of mine to be painted with a small bumper repair