I've had an accident tonight.

No injuries, but there is very significant damage to my car.

More soon, I took some pix.

 

I'm so sorry bro...

 

 

err that sucks

 

good to hear you are okay. any passengers? what happened exactly?

 

That really sux man. What kind of damage? What happened?

 

the most important thing is that you are ok... car is always replaceable...

 

Ok basically what happened is this, I am sure I will want to add more/comment, etc. but just to try to get this off my chest I'm trying to get it out tonight.

I worked out at the gym, had a great workout and drove home. Parked, had lights and car off for a few seconds, just getting my **** together. Suddenly there is this light in my face. I look, and three teenagers had slowed down (traveling on the Promenade) and briefly shined a flashlight in my face, like looking into the car. They were driving a white Nissan Altima. I dont think they knew I was in the car until they shined the light. There have been car break-ins around here, and I immediately am suspicious of them and assume they were scoping my car. They know I've made them and they RACE off. I am immediately angry and start the car back and take off after them, I seriously was not going to do anything other than get their license plate.

I get a couple hundred feet or so down the Promenade, admittedly going too fast, especially considering I am on my Blizzaks not my Nittos, and go into this curve to follow them up Congress Street where they had sped off. When I enter the curve I immediately realize I am not going to make the curve. The car is slipping, I feel the Blizzaks just not gripping the concrete enough. Then as I'm slipping out of the curve I hit a very icy patch and I SLAM into this parked Volvo. I bounce OFF the Volvo and continue up the hill just a bit. I know it's bad, it was quite an impact. I let the car roll back down the hill and into a safe position. The engine seems to be running OK for the minute or two I leave it running, long enough to survey the damage. Then I hear a clicking from it so I turn it off. I am still a very short distance from my house, feeling like the biggest idiot on the planet. I call the police. Before the police arrive, by a funny coincidence, a friend who is a major car enthusiast, funny guy, lives nearby, HAPPENS to be driving by and stops. Former Maine Senator actually.. so overall he's one of the few people who would be cool to see in such a situation. Keeps me great company through the whole thing, and keeps me laughing and in good spirits while we wait for the cops together. He tries not to tell me what an idiot I am and reminds me to look on the bright side, there is no one hurt, etc.

Police come. The cop is OK, he sorta knows by looking that I took the curve too fast. I am thankful he does not cite me for anything. They cannot find the owner of the car. The cop is obviously quite surprised by the amount of damage, considering how short a distance I had to get up to speed, but seems quite cool about it and asks me if I'm OK. Gives me papers, leaves. Tow truck man comes, comments on what a nice car it is, and takes it away. I walk home.

I left a note for the owner. We finally talked a few minutes ago. I told him I felt really bad, but I was very glad he was not in his car, and no one was hurt (well I bruised my leg a little, but .... that doesn't count really..) He told me he was thankful that I had left a note.

I made a mistake here, I realize that. I am exceedingly grateful that I didn't hit a person, and that it was a parked car and not one with people in it.

Pics are at: http://www.citrano.com/carpix/accident/accident.html

 

As you'll see from the pics, extensive damage, but engine etc is probably fine. Still not sure.

Obviously hood, bumper, bumper cover, front quarter panel, lights, passenger door, even the REAR passenger door seems off-center. The wheel, etc seems OK but again, not sure.

It's gonna take a lotta cake to fix this beast.

 

It always sucks to be in a situation like that...why have there been so many maxima/I30 accidents recently? At least you've kept your sense of humor, from what I can tell, reading the captions under the pictures.

It'll all work out!

 

Wow! Those pictures make me wanna cry, but the comments made me laugh!

 

Im really sorry Ant. Those pics made me cringe. Watch out for those Volvos! I used to have a wagon version of that car. Dang things are beasts! Good to keep your sense of humor in a time like that. Great way to tackle tough situations. Im sure she will be okay... Good luck!

 

Completely sucks. As everyone already knows. Glad you're okay. Sorry about your car, yeah pics look bad ( funny captions though )...

Hopefully, in a little while this will be a distant memory!

 

Sorry to hear that.

 

Ouch, that stinks . The damage does not look TOO bad though{not good either}. The damage looks mostly superfichial from what I can see. Your wheel and supension look ok from my view point too{but who know's}. Well, best of luck to you bro and I am really sorry to hear what happened to you tonight

 

doh! - that work out built up too much lactic acid in yor muscles... man - those pictures are so dramatic!! - - its good to know that you werent harmed and that yor infiniti "took the bullet for you". I think its time to goto home depot and pick up a few buckets of plaster paris

 

 

oh no


well, it could have been a lot worse man... just look at it that way. hope u get out of the situation without problems,

 

ouch man that really sucks! look on the bright side tho, at least those kids wont be stealing your car now

 

you have such a nice car too! i think we should all participate in a moment of silence for one of our fallen soldiers...

good luck with the repairs. more importantly its good that you are ok. keep us updated.

 

That's a shame. It's too bad you had to chase after them, maybe you were pumped from being at the gym? It is pretty ridiculous for people to shine a flashlight into your car, they have no business doing that.

 

wow sorry man, at least your ok and the engine and frame look to be ok. good luck with getting it fixed. or does this mean a 2k2 6-spd for you ?????

 

Lord, the sheer number of org members that have had accidents recently is amazing. Funny thing was that you were complaining about your car insurance going up just yesterday, and now it definitely will.

BTW, I had an accident last night, but it didnt look quite as bad as yours, but it did sever my tranny cooler return line, so the car wasn't drivable.

 

Sorry to hear that!

 

damn greg you better start taking the bus.

 

For what? she hit me. The dynamics of the accident were crazy. She had minimal damage, and yet somehow hit my car hard enough to catch the tranny cooler return line between the front engine mount and the fan shroud hard enough to break it. Freaky stuff.

 

MaineI30 - sorry about your accident.

Fortunately the damage doesn't look too bad, though. I was expecting much worse. Glad you were okay though and only had some bruises.

 

Anthony, sorry about what happened. Your car is an amaizing machine, and that stereo is just so

 

Man, sorry to hear that. Glad to hear you're OK.

DW

 

Really sorry about your accident but people are alot harder to replace than cars. Glad you are okay.

 

thanks guys its nice to know you're rooting for me, thanks for the support.

I don't know what is up next, if it's new car, or fix this one, I suspect fix this one. It's not a good time for me to be buying new cars or whatever, I am trying to start a new business.

Someone said maybe I was pumped from gym, hey, maybe. I don't offer anything as an excuse I was obviously trying to catch up to them, acting too aggressive, I accept it.

I can take solace in the fact that I didnt hurt anyone, as some of you said.

The thing that hurts the most is that I consider myself an excellent driver, I have been through so much in the car and avoided accidents, etc. but this one got me. I have not had an at-fault accident since I was a teenager over 10 years ago. Testosterone (mixed with ice) does amazing things. I'm just glad I'm covered and hope my rates dont go up toooooo much...

 

Sorry Bro. Been there almost a week ago. and its not fun. I thought the same way that i am GREAT driver but it was a PATCH of ice that bursted the bubble away. just curious , were u watching that 007 movie in the car???? Hopefuly your car will be the same and the best thing is that YOU ARE OK!. (thats wat everyone has been tellin me since my wreck on the ICE) Take it ez dude

 

It'll be alright Ant. It's a blessing that no one got hurt in the process. What matters from here on forward is that we learn to make better judgements in the future through our mistakes.

Good luck with the repairs. Nothing that some bodywork won't pretty up

 

Oh man ... that sucks. Glad you're ok though.

 

Sorry to hear about it. After reading your posts though, I'm impressed... you're a good guy, despite all those OT posts about Lara Flynn Boyle . You know it was a mistake and you're being very levelheaded about the whole thing. The car can be fixed, and it should be in fine shape for the spring.

 

Oh man...I'm so sorry! Did you tell the cop about the kids in the Altima? Maybe they can find them and whup some ***. I'm so awfully sorry about your baby...I wish you the best of luck in getting her back together.

 

I did tell him. I think I have a new mission in life. Find those fockers. I know I cannot blame them for what happened, but I can at least slowly butcher them and feel that society is a better place for it.

Thanks.

 

Damn Anthony.

I told you already, but I'm glad you were not hurt bad. Good luck with repairs.

 

It's sad to hear about it and see the pics. You had a really nice set up on that I30. Well at least you are okay and can get the car fixed. Good luck Anthony! See you with the new car next MA meet this spring.

 

LOL!!! If they were here I'd help ya! They deserve punishment!!!