I had a crash today (follow up with pics!)

"Makoyouidiot" (makaan12) 06/23/2014 at 21:39 • Filed to: accidents

0

42

So as some of you know, I had a crash. Both me and the other party were alright, but I promised the full story later tonight and pics as well, so here I post.

Despite not really being a driver anymore, I do sometimes grab one of our work trucks (I work for O'Reilly, for those who don't know) and go on deliveries. Today I grabbed our '07 Ford Ranger and was making a stop in town then hitting the interstate for a smaller town 20 miles away. The first stop paid cash (this is relevant later on). After I got on the interstate, and got up to 75 (the speed limit around here) I noticed that the cash had fallen from the cupholder down into the floorboard, and since my shoes were wet, I didn't want it down there. So I looked ahead, saw just one other truck in front of me, another Ranger, which was a good 400 yards or so ahead, so I figure I'm good to make the attempt to scoot the cash back towards my hand and get it up. I look down for a few seconds, get the cash, look back up, and see the Ranger I saw before, maybe 20 yards away and my closing speed is insanely fast. I slam the brakes, maybe lose 5-10mph, and hit the truck anyway. Airbag deploys (never had that happen to me before, was a shock) and we both pull to the right onto the shoulder and stop. I feel alright, and my first thought is to jump out and ask if the other driver is ok. She is getting out, and it is an old lady, probably 70's or so, and she screams at me "WHY DID YOU DO THAT? WHY WOULD YOU HIT ME? I WAS GOING 45 BECAUSE I HAVE A KNOTTED TIRE!" I'm understandably confused, and I'm like 'ma'am, are you ok? I didn't mean to hit you, I had no idea you were going so slow and I was looking at the floorboard, I'm so sorry" and she starts to calm down. She apparently thought I hit her on purpose because she was going slow. What kind of nutjob would do that? Anyway, her truck doesn't look too bad, I just bent the bumper and dented the bed, but mine is all smushed in front, hood bent up, bumper laying on the road, frame bent back underneath slightly. We both seem to be ok, and she explains that she had been looking all morning for a used tire but nobody had one in my town, so she was on the way to the next town over and driving slow because she didn't want a blowout. I didn't point out that 45 in a 75 with no hazards on is incredibly dangerous (although given the situation it was pretty obvious) And I also didn't mention that maybe the access road, with a limit of 55, would have been a better choice, mainly because I felt like a heel already, and we were both shook up pretty bad. Troopers show up, take all the info, give me a ticket for failure to control speed (fair enough, although I think distracted driving might have been more appropriate, or maybe failure to dodge) he gives her a paper, which may or may not have been a ticket, I didn't ask, then I called my boss and a tow truck for our Ranger, and my wife to come take me to the hospital, as per company procedure. During this time the lady gets in her truck and proceeds on...STILL DRIVING 45 ON THE GODDAMN INTERSTATE! Lordy. Anyway, could have been a lot worse, and I learned that no matter how observant I am usually (very) I can still screw up. My wife had a field day with that one, as I usually critique her ability to notice stuff while driving...heh. I didn't get any pics of the other Ranger, but here's ours:

Our repair estimate came back at 8 freaking grand, which I kinda think is BS, considering they want us to replace stuff that isn't even damaged, but whatever, maybe we'll get another new Frontier like we did last time one of our Rangers was wrecked. This makes two (*minor) accidents while driving for O'Reilly in the last 2 years, plus an off-work speeding ticket, so I sit at 14 out of 18 points for continuing to drive for work. One more ticket and no more work driving for me, which kinda sucks, but most of my job keeps me out of the trucks anyway, so eh. I'm just glad it wasn't like the only real wreck I've had, which was more along these lines:

dogisbadob > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:41

2

hope it isn't Takata!

dogisbadob > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:41

0

That'll buff right out. It doesn't look too bad! :p

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:42

3

mako you idiot.


Glad no one was hurt though, you'll know better from now on I suppose.

dogisbadob > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:42

4

She should've gotten a ticket for tha shitty tires and going too slow.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:45

2

$8000 seems insane, considering the truck should be worth less than that! I bet the insurance may just total it at that cost.

Also, I wouldve tried to pin more fault on her for being dangerous, but thats just me.

Glad your okay and BE CAREFUL!

JGrabowMSt > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:49

1

They don't make 'em like they used to!

Good that you're okay though. Cars are a bunch of parts that can be replaced. People, not so much.

I guess this just means next time screw the money. I wish I had more opportunities to drive my company car for little jobs though. I keep having to drive my own, and it sucks.

Makoyouidiot > dogisbadob 06/23/2014 at 21:49

1

I bet my hand buffer will have that shiny in a jiffy!

Makoyouidiot > dogisbadob 06/23/2014 at 21:50

1

She may have, I'd say that represents some sort of unsafe driving, but I'm not an officer, so I can only speculate.

Makoyouidiot > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/23/2014 at 21:50

4

Eh, I couldn't bring myself to lay all the blame on an old lady, even if she wasn't all there. After all I was rooting around the floorboard.

Makoyouidiot > dogisbadob 06/23/2014 at 21:53

0

LOL, the thing scared the crap out of me...but oddly enough I didn't even hit her hard enough for me to be thrown into it...it just hit my arms and deflated.

Makoyouidiot > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 06/23/2014 at 21:55

0

Here's hoping. I do tend to learn these lessons after they get pounded into me. (that trashed Silverado was testament to me learning about driving 80 on a no shoulder blind curved road with semis on it)

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 21:58

0

that ranger wouldn't happen to have a five speed in it would it? I still can't find a transmission for my Capri.

Makoyouidiot > JGrabowMSt 06/23/2014 at 21:58

0

I honestly prefer to drive my own...my Fiat gets good enough mileage that it doesn't bother me, and I have access to my bluetooth and all my music. And also it has cruise, which none of our work trucks do.

Makoyouidiot > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/23/2014 at 22:00

0

Nope, BUT one of the nearby stores has an old Mazda B2200 with a 5 speed. I lobbied hard for that to be the one we borrow until we get a new truck, but we ended up with another automatic Ranger for now.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:04

0

at least you're not as bad as one of our old drivers.

He had borrowed the van over the weekend to help him move, had a few beers and used it to get more when he ran out. On the way back he parked it on top of his own car that was in his driveway.

JGrabowMSt > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:04

0

Well, yeah. Once I get all the work done on the wagon I'd rather drive that, but for now, I'm still stuck with my parents Neon, which, well, leaves just about everything to be desired.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:06

0

hmmm. A 2200 might have the R2 five speed. The one I need is an M5OD-R1 from the small V6. Those little rangers and Mazda's are a blast to drive with a stick.

Coty > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:18

0

Ah yes senor, why did you crash me and ruin my muuuuustache?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:19

0

Oh I missed the part about her being old... I thought it was a younger dumb lady!

I understand then

thebigbossyboss > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:29

0

Well....your user name is appropriate haha! Both parties at fault really, shouldn't be looking at the floorboards on the freeway and of course she should have not been driving 45 mph. Live and learn, at least you lived!

Makoyouidiot > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 06/23/2014 at 22:30

0

Aye.

Makoyouidiot > Coty 06/23/2014 at 22:30

0

You needed a shave!

Makoyouidiot > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/23/2014 at 22:33

0

I've debated buying one before, several times...just haven't done it, as there are other trucks I like more...

Another post I made with said trucks.

Makoyouidiot > JGrabowMSt 06/23/2014 at 22:34

0

Never driven a Neon, but never heard anything really to recommend one either. :(

Makoyouidiot > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 06/23/2014 at 22:35

0

Wow.

Makoyouidiot > thebigbossyboss 06/23/2014 at 22:40

0

True that.

dogisbadob > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:55

1

Most states do have specific laws about going too slow, so it doesn't need to be a generic unsafe driving ticket

sellphones2493 > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 22:57

0

Sounds like a lawsuit. I bet the Ford Ranger owner's manual states nothing about you not being able to store cash in the cupholder. If they had a disclosure stating such in the manual, you would never had to have taken your eyes off the road to get the cash that had fallen out of the cupholder . It seems like your going through a lot of pain and suffering, with a tingling feeling in your spine and fingers. Maybe some bad dreams and flashbacks to the occurrence as well.

I'm completely kidding. But it's sad that something like that has the possibility of holding up in court!

JGrabowMSt > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 23:03

0

It's sole redeeming factor is the 5spd row-your-own. Deep down, it's just a lemon though.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 23:07

0

You like Lightnings? A friend of mine just sold a '96. According to the research he did its one of three or so factory first gen lightnings done in silver. and it aint stock.

Makoyouidiot > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/23/2014 at 23:18

0

I never liked ford trucks...but the Lightning is beast. Like it a lot.

Makoyouidiot > JGrabowMSt 06/23/2014 at 23:19

0

Sad. Also sad the folks see the Dart in the same light, it's much better.

Makoyouidiot > sellphones2493 06/23/2014 at 23:20

0

Yeah, that people can successfully argue such things is nuts.

Makoyouidiot > dogisbadob 06/23/2014 at 23:20

1

Ahh.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 23:27

0

cant go wrong with a Lightning. Especially one that made 600 horse at the crank, had a beefy 5 speed and aide exit exhaust. Hnnng.

JGrabowMSt > Makoyouidiot 06/23/2014 at 23:59

0

Mine specifically is a lemon. There are nice neons out and about. Mine eats through transmissions and motor mounts. I suspect the output shaft is either bent, or not balanced properly, causing the problems, but I'm not rebuilding it.

I don't think the Dart is bad, I just don't like the look of it. I have a good friend with one, and he likes it, just thinks it should have been a 5spd instead of 6...that's his only problem with it so far. That an absolutely no boost whatsoever until it's 100% warmed up.

Makoyouidiot > JGrabowMSt 06/24/2014 at 00:11

0

It would benefit from the Chrysler 200's setup of a sweet V6, for sure.

Makoyouidiot > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts 06/24/2014 at 00:12

0

I agree. Hnnnnnng

JGrabowMSt > Makoyouidiot 06/24/2014 at 00:19

0

I think the turbo 4 is a great little engine, it's really just the gearing that makes 6th basically impossible to use.

I'm not sure the dart really needs the V6. It's the "econobox" of the bunch, and I think it does quite well. There are a bunch by me, and the people who have them love them.

Makoyouidiot > JGrabowMSt 06/24/2014 at 01:01

0

I had one, and mechanically I really had no complaints, except turbo lag. I also hated the crappy stock tires, which I had to replace after 15k miles. I still would have kept it except I found a good deal on a mazda with better equipment and a longer warranty.

I am Jack's complete lack of compassion > Makoyouidiot 06/24/2014 at 10:39

0

wat store you work at? I work pt at 1985

Makoyouidiot > I am Jack's complete lack of compassion 06/24/2014 at 14:15

0

I'm an RSS over at 1732