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People who shouldn't be driving

metsguyinmichigan Feb 23 2014 08:22 PM

OK, I have to vent. My daughter and I were out running errands today. We were pulling into a gas station parking lot, and a woman in a mini-van plows right into my car, hitting the rear door. Totally the other driver's fault. She said the sun was in here eyes, which is dubious. After apologizing, she said the didn't have her insurance card with her. I called the police, because I knew this wasn't to go well. When the police arrived, I could hear her saying that her husband got the plates renewed on Friday and she was calling him to bring the registration and the insurance paperwork -- both of which are supposed to be with the driver and the car at all times. She was with her two sons, who were kind of scruffy looking, 23 and 15. When the 15-year-old is smoking, it's not a good sign. The policeman took all our information, went into the cruiser for a bit to enter everything into the computer, then tells the woman's younger son to go sit in the back seat of the cruiser. The husband never came with the paperwork. I'd guess the car isn't insured. Who knows about the legitimacy of the license plates. The officer gave us the report number for the insurance company and sent us on our way. He went over to the other driver with a long printout that I'm sure is several tickets. I know the important thing is that no one was hurt and the car can be fixed. It's drive-able until it's ready for the repair place. But dammit, this sucks. We just got the car at the end of September. Dealing with with insurance companies is massive pain in the ass. I'm going to have to pay the deductible and miss some time at work. I had to vent.

themetfairy Feb 23 2014 08:49 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Sorry to hear that michigan. On the off chance that the other driver is insured, her insurance would likely cover everything (including your deductible). Fingers crossed that that's the case. And after the adrenaline subsides, you'll be able to focus more on the fact that you and your daughter were able to walk away from this (and even drive away from it). It suxx, but it could have been so much worse.

metsguyinmichigan Feb 23 2014 08:55 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Thanks, MF. I appreciate that. Michigan is a no-fault state, so I don't know about the deductible. But you are right about focusing on the important things!

Edgy MD Feb 23 2014 08:59 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

How much restraint it must take not to play the "I know the governor" card. I salute you.

metsguyinmichigan Feb 23 2014 09:14 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Edgy MD wrote: How much restraint it must take not to play the "I know the governor" card. I salute you. Honestly, I didn't exchange any information with these people. I didn't want them knowing where I live! I let the police take care of it.

Edgy MD Feb 23 2014 09:53 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Oh, certainly. I mean to salute you for not using it to push for the most benevolent outcome out of the copz.

themetfairy Feb 24 2014 05:31 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

He didn't have to play that card. He was the concerned father of a beautiful and intelligent daughter and they were victimized by obvious lowlifes. He already had a royal flush as far as the cops were concerned.

metsguyinmichigan Feb 24 2014 05:48 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

My daughter, actually, played the "My grandfather is a retired policeman" card. Dad gets Superior Officers Association cards that he gives to the kids -- just in case we get pulled over. I've never pulled it out. But the policeman asked my daughter for ID, and she gave him her license -- and the card. The officer looked it at kind of funny and said, "I don't think I need that one." I sheepishly said, "Yeah, my Dad's a retired cop and tells us to show that." The officer understood and smiled. Hopefully, that's the only time she has to pull out that card!

d'Kong76 Feb 24 2014 06:27 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

metsguyinmichigan wrote: When the 15-year-old is smoking, it's not a good sign. Happy no one was hurt. I smoked when I was 15, cigarettes too. I turned out relatively normal.

themetfairy Feb 24 2014 06:53 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

metsguyinmichigan wrote: My daughter, actually, played the "My grandfather is a retired policeman" card. Dad gets Superior Officers Association cards that he gives to the kids -- just in case we get pulled over. I've never pulled it out. But the policeman asked my daughter for ID, and she gave him her license -- and the card. As I said, she's intelligent!

MFS62 Feb 24 2014 07:05 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Sucks about the car. Good that everyone was ok. Later

Edgy MD Feb 24 2014 07:41 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

metsguyinmichigan wrote: My daughter, actually, played the "My grandfather is a retired policeman" card. Dad gets Superior Officers Association cards that he gives to the kids -- just in case we get pulled over. I've never pulled it out. But the policeman asked my daughter for ID, and she gave him her license -- and the card. The officer looked it at kind of funny and said, "I don't think I need that one." I sheepishly said, "Yeah, my Dad's a retired cop and tells us to show that." The officer understood and smiled. Hopefully, that's the only time she has to pull out that card! Yeah, I got one of those --- a DEA card. Some use it more liberally than you do.

d'Kong76 Feb 24 2014 08:04 AM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

Nowadays, if you're gonna use a GOoJFC, best to whip it out right away and give it a whirl. With cops having laptops and internet in their cars it's harder to get a ticket completely squashed once it's entered into the system.

Nymr83 Feb 25 2014 10:51 PM Re: People who shouldn't be driving

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Hopefully, that's the only time she has to pull out that card! Hopefully, its the only time you ever have to find out about it!