Just got smashed in a hit and run!

[Loudpedal]

I can hardly believe what happened this evening.

I'm at a stop light one block from work (making a left turn) and a jackass rounding the corner in the wet (waaayy to fast) loses control and smashes into the front of of my car (front corner and door)!    The impact turned my car 45 degrees, and moves my car enough to put the front in the next lane. 

To my amazement, the dude reverses (as I'm getting out of my car) and peels off like a maniac.   Obviously I'm on with 911 in a snap and I'm giving a description of the car and license plate number.   As I'm on with the dispatcher and assessing the damage to my car, I look down and low and behold, what should I see?   The dudes torn off front license plate!!!   Talk about comical.  I'm telling the dispatcher now that not only do I have the license plate number, I literally have his front plate in my hand!!!

So, cop takes my statement, I hand her the plate (and we both laugh), car gets hooked up to a tow truck and now I get to go through whatever comes next.   Good times.   

As for my mint Infiniti G20t, it took a good whack to the front corner.   In the dark,  at least visually, it needs a new left front fender, new left door skin, new turn signals, and a new bumper cover and who knows what else.   When looking from the front, the whole front end looks to be shifted to the passenger side by an inch or so, and the hood and lights and fender gaps you can stick a finger in.   

I'll keep you posted on the outcome.   At this point, I hope the car gets written off, even though both of my kids had their first car ride from the hospital in it, so it has a sentimental attachment to it.   

Oh well, I wonder what rentals I get to pick from tomorrow    

[rrocket]

Oh man...HUGE bummer.  Glad you are OK though.  Pity about your car.   Hopefully the POS gets what's coming to him. Drunk driver maybe?  No insurance?  Suspended license?  Keep us posted!!

[ovr50]

Bad deal, Loudpedal, glad you're fine tho. The car will get sorted out or totalled, in which case.....you get to go shopping....

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

So sorry to hear about that, at least you sound like you are okay. If the driver doesn't come forward when the police go to the house it's registered to, they will simply charge the owner for hit-and-run as the owner is legally responsible if they can't track down the driver.

Same thing happened to me, I simply had the owner of the vehicle charged and convicted and his car impounded at the scene as the vehicle was not insured. The owner (may or may have not been the driver) is legally responsible for all damages (medical, vehicle) which is over $34,000. He was sued by my insurance company and has a judgement on his head. He can't renew a license until he pays that money. He's already been convicted in the past for DUI and driving without insurance and leaving the scene of an accident.

In Ontario, he'll never pay, he'll simply drive again (uninsured) and when he gets caught again, *In the Toronto Star* "Driver arrested for hit-and-run. Convicted twice in the past. Why isn't he in jail?"

[DockMan]

Glad you are OK. Be wary of second/third day evidence of soft tissue damage.....sounds like he shmucked you but good to turn the car 45 degrees. 

[Careener]

Wow. Sorry to hear but I'm glad you're ok. From your description of the damage I'd say you're going shopping. We're here to help ;-)

[Railton]

Glad you're OK LP. He could've easliy hit the drivers door and hurt you. Agree with what was written earlier and give your self a few days to see if anything starts to hurt. Don't say you're fine just yet.
Bummer about the well-kept Infinity as well. Hope they give you a good $ for it.
Railton

[Winklovic]

I'm glad you're okay. 

In other news, I just took a claim from a fellow that had his car keys taken from him at gunpoint.  Winnipeg: One Great City.

[quadzilla]

See, there is a reason why we need front plates.  

Glad to hear you are ok and hope all works out in the end.

[tortoise]

Yikes sorry to hear.  I've always liked those G20's.  They seemed to strike a great balance of Luxury, sport and reliability.  Plus they're uber-rare.   Hope it's fixed to an acceptable standard.

Glad to hear you're ok.

[Wolverine]

What an AH, sorry to hear about the car, good to know you are ok.

Keep us posted.

[Giant Dwarf]

What a fortuitous and humourous twist with the jack-ass's license plate being left behind.  Did you get a look at the driver at all?  In my experience, you want to remember as much detail about the driver as possible too.  When that Beck Taxi hit our Civic a few years ago, the case ended up going nowhere because Beck Cabs couldn't be sure who was actually driving the car at the time. (yeah right). 

Glad to hear you're not seriously injured... and will keep my fingers crossed for you getting to do some car shopping now!

[safristi]

great to hear all is bodily well (your body that is)........is that BMW"bad" parker lady out on bail?.....look on the bright side get to try out some new iron..and the G20 meeting is just around the corner

[Brigitte]

LoudP... I am SO glad you're okay!  Your story really pissed me off.  I think everyone's correct in assuming that this asswipe has a record -- clearly for good reason.  Sad for the G20t, but... better it than you.

Keep us posted.  Big hug to you.   

[vdk]

[Turbo Bob]

Man that's the worst and best luck at the same time!  In an age where nobody seems to take responsibility for their own actions any more having the evidence in hand is just an awesome result!  Throw him to the lions!

[Loudpedal]

Thanks for all the encouragement everybody, I appreciate it. 

So, here's the update:

Cop tracked down the owners (not driving).  As it turns out the car is used by their daughter and her boyfriend matches the description that was provided...in addition, the car matching the description provided is missing a front plate....quel surprise...

The driver has now been charged with a) dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and b) failing to remain at the scene of a collision.   I was told by the P.C. that this would in all likelihood end up in court, and that I should expect to receive a summons to appear at some point in the future.

In the interim, I'm now in a rental.   The car rental place today had only a Charger and a Mazda 6 (2008), as all of their Mazda 3s were out.   I took the 6.   

I'm not even going to get started on a review for this car, except that  IMO, it had the most uncomfortable drivers seat I may have ever sat in.   Funny, I don't remember them being this uncomfortable when sitting in the local Mazda showroom.  The seat is literally impossible for me to get comfortable in, and I would nearly rather sit on a folding lawn chair while driving.   The 4 cyl engine sounded like a tractor, and felt thrashy in the upper rev range.   On the other hand, it handled nicely, but simply felt cheap overall which I found surprising.

The car rental place did however, call me back and let me know I could swap it for a 2010 Mazda 3 that was just returned--which I did just before close.   Although it's a base model with no keyless entry (I think I used a car key for the first time in a decade tonight), it's a tidy little car.  I literally have only a few minutes of 'in the dark' seat time, so I'll reserve judgement and further comments for another post.   

As for the fate of our beloved G20, we should know more by Friday, with details to follow... 

[rrocket]

^^What kind of car was the douche-waffle driving when he crashed you?

[Flinter]

Glad to hear the culprit has been found. Now...off with his head.

[Loudpedal]

^^What kind of car was the douche-waffle driving when he crashed you?

Predictably, he was driving the crown jewel of the douche-waffles...a 1998 Chevy Cavalier...

...I hold my head in embarrassment...