Let's Talk Hit and Run accidents

"McChiken116 - Patrick H." (mcchiken116)
12/29/2015 at 21:49 • Filed to: Austin, Hit and Run

Like Artoo, I was very sad at something I had to do tonight in Downtown Austin. While walking back to my car, I was passing Little Woodrows when I see a Lexus RCF and 911 Cab, which were sandwiching a big, beatup white pickup truck. At first I paid the truck no mind, as I was too busy checking out the RCF.

That was, until I heard a giant scarping noise and a horrified look on the elderly truck drivers face. He had backed it right into the 911, causing a giant scrape where the frunk meets the front bumper. He made eye contact with me, and then proceeded to get the fuck out of there. Luckily, I was able to grab his plate number, and gave that, plus my phone number to the bartender at the front, and left the info on the car itself.

Now, let’s talk about hit and run accidents, especially this sort of minor accident. Accidents happen, and you need to fess up when they do, especially if you have damaged something that is totally not yours. This makes you a better person, and hey, it’s only human. But if you run? Well guess what, you now are on the hook for whatever damage you have done, and a criminal. It’s against the law to leave the scene of an accident. And, especially if you do it in public, you will get caught. Cause good samaritans will grab your plate number, take a picture, or whatever. The age of smart phones has made this a lot easier.

So moral of the story? If you hit, don’t run. Especially if it’s something serious. And if you see it happen, take all the info you can on the runner. It’s part of being a good citizen.

DISCUSSION (10)

phenotyp > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/29/2015 at 22:00

WAAAAY too much of this in Austin. Friend of mine has had one car totaled, and the other left with major bumper, mirror, and quarter panel damage from hit and run drivers. My previous car was hit seven times. My last one,in my current car, I was actually in the car as the driver in front of me, apparently oblivious to my blaring horn, backs into me, then drives off, completely unaware. I followed him. About a month later I see the same guy, in 7-11, buying his morning paper and four loko. Shit you not. I really want to see this bastard off the road, at the very least.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > phenotyp
12/29/2015 at 22:12

The 944 has been hit once parked, but other than that, I’ve been lucky

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/29/2015 at 22:31

A few years ago I had just gotten home from work and parked on the street. It was a street in a residential cookie cutter townhouse type neighborhood, no street parking left after 7 most days. Anyway, some kids come flying up the street and side swipes a car then nails a parked SUV head on hard enough to crack it’s radiator and their it a few feet up into the sidewalk. The kid didn’t even stop, gunned it and blasted around the corner. I saw the whole thing happen since I had just gotten out of my car and was maybe ten feet from my front door. Managed to catch his plate. Called the cops and they found him at his house a few blocks away. Apparently he was terrified and shaking from the whole thing. Probably distracted by his phone, honest dumb kid mistake. Luckily there weren’t any kids playing in the area, normally there were hordes of them running around. It was loud too, within a few minutes the street was full of people who heard it happen and decided to come down and see what all the fuss was about.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/29/2015 at 22:53

A friend of mine got into a hit and run accident in the student parking lot. He took a picture of license plate and even knew her. Fucking people.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/29/2015 at 23:27

Another reason why I prefer driving a cheap beater. If it gets dented, there’s no huge loss. I never want to drive a car that is so expensive to me that I’ll lose sleep over someone damaging it.

Urambo Tauro > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/29/2015 at 23:29

Three years ago, I was heading home in the right lane of a four-lane roadway in town. A SUV in front of me was driving slowly (about 10 under the limit), so I signaled and moved to overtake. As I started to come up alongside, the driver suddenly began pushing over into my lane.

Trying to avoid a wreck, I quickly swerved left, crossing the yellow, into what was luckily an empty lane at the moment. Before I could complete my pass and get back over where I belonged, the front end of the SUV’s bumper smacked into my right rear wheel, as the driver completed his maneuver: an illegal U-turn.

I pulled over immediately, only to see the driver gun it and flee the scene. Traffic was too heavy for my turning around to follow.

The damage to my car was minimal. The small plastic center cap was gone from my wheel, and the only paint transferred was from the SUV to my car, which cleaned up easily. Mechanically, everything checked out, even the alignment.

Judging by the harshness of the impact, I’m sure the SUV got it worse (and deservedly so, I might add). 5mph bumpers don’t hold up well against a wheel that is braced by a solid axle.

iSureWilll > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/30/2015 at 00:55

Maybe it was an illegal with no insurance.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > iSureWilll
12/30/2015 at 01:04

Old white dude, fully inspected and registered car.

iSureWilll > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/30/2015 at 01:06

Just an idiot then lol. Good on you for getting his info.

Sam > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/30/2015 at 01:15

I accidentally bumped a soccer mom minivan in a parking lot once. I was going to say something, but I couldn’t even see which of the many, many marks was caused by me.