Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stuff The Attitude
Yes, what a wonderful day it has been. The boss came in, (the actual boss), asked what happened with the car, I told him and he came out with me to look at it. (Still in the parking lot right where it was when it got hit.) He couldn’t believe the damage. I guess he thought it was a minor scrape, (he wasn’t there yesterday), but he realized that this guy did a number on my car.
I had not really touched the car since seeing it at the end of the day yesterday so he wanted to know if I could open the driver’s side door. Nope. Key won’t turn to unlock it. So I had to go to the passenger side but the problem was that every time I tried to unlock it, it locked back up. Unlock, it locked, unlock, it locked. I even tried to hold the lock in my hand to force it to stay unlocked...nope. It locked again. So much for the “it’s only cosmetic damage” theory.
He then tried to convince me not to call my insurance company. I knew this was coming but I already made up my mind. I just want to know why on earth does it bother them that I call my insurance company. Why? Why wouldn’t I call? If they are concerned about the tour driver getting a big fat ding on his driving record, well, first of all, that is NOT my problem. He should have been more careful when he was driving the tour bus. Second of all, it wouldn’t matter if I called the insurance company or not, the police are charging the guy with hit and run. I hadn’t called my insurance company yet when the officer on scene yesterday told me he was charging the guy. DOESN’T FUCKING MATTER about the insurance company. He’s getting charged. And that is NOT my fault.
The other boss, (the one who was there yesterday), was all upset with me today because I did call my insurance company and opened a claim. What is the deal?
I explained to the actual boss, (the one who wasn’t there yesterday), and told him that I do not feel comfortable not calling. See, let’s say, six months down the road, I’m driving along and something happens and they find out it was because of this accident. Well, I’m screwed aren’t I? And you know what? I’ve been fucked enough times by companies and mechanics and the like in my life that I’m listening to my instincts and voice of reason and I’m going through the insurance company to protect myself. What part of, “I need to protect myself” do these people not get? I’m sorry, I don’t have millions of dollars laying around in my bank account that allows me to buy my way out of a situation. Ok?
Apparently a detective is being assigned the case since it’s a hit and run so I still have to talk to them. The other driver was there again today and he stated that he did not know he hit the car. I understand that driving a bigger vehicle that can happen but I find it very difficult to believe that he had NO fucking clue he plowed in to my car with all that damage. Bull. Shit he didn’t know.
My theory is that he thought it was a customer’s car and that he would just leave the scene and no one would be the wiser. Oops! You hit an employees car and it was on film. Sucks to be you, asshole.
Did a little test drive around the parking lot today and when it started up, it sounded like some beat up, old, piece of shit car. Not the way my car sounds. I drove it in a big circle, a co-worker said the wheel (driver’s side, front), was wobbling as I drove and when I parked it back in the spot, I looked again at the wheel well. If you look at the photos I posted yesterday, you can see that there is a good 2 inches between the scrunched wheel well and the tire. After one circle in the parking lot, it is now mere centimeters above the tire and one bump or pothole in the road, it will start rubbing the tire apart. But hey, it’s “drivable” and it’s “just cosmetic damage”. Of course.
And this is why I called my insurance company. Things like this may not be readily apparent and this is why I say I have to protect myself.
On Monday I am having it towed to the body shop the insurance company wants it taken to and we shall see just what is wrong with it. I’m hoping it’s something that can be repaired, isn’t too expensive because I do not want this car to be “totaled”. My car is a Kia. It’s not an expensive car. The blue book value is not much. I don’t want a fucking check for a few thousand dollars, I want my fucking car and I want it fixed.
If it’s “totaled”, I get a check for a few thousand and then what? Then what the fuck?! That’s not enough money to replace my car! I had just paid it off! I own it outright. I do not want car payments, I want my fucking car the way it was. I feel like I’m going to get screwed in this situation no matter what. And that pisses me off.
Hopefully it won’t be “totaled” but again, the damage done to this car, even if they just repaired the “cosmetic damage” may end up costing more than the fucking car is worth or close to it. And I’m going to be fucking livid.
Especially since it seems all these people care about is that the tour driver doesn’t get marks on his record. Boo fucking hoo.
Anyone know how this works? If it’s totaled, am I screwed?
