Wrong Place, Wrong Time....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 675
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From: Riverside, California
Wrong Place, Wrong Time....
At the interchange of the 52 and 805 today. Following a small pickup truck and as I'm watching from about 50 feet and 65 mph behind him I watch the draft from his truck pick what looks to be a heavy rubber mat of about 18 inches square off the freeway (obviously dropped by some other vehicle) and the thing lifts high enough and long enough for me to hit it. Took out the front bumper, top of my hood and then into the windshield. Somehow, it made it over the rest of the top of the car without touching the top, rear, etc.
If I'd been 100 feet behind the guy it would have fallen back to the roadway. Insurance will cover all but $300 but that isn't the point. I'd bought this C5 5 months ago with 30k miles. Absolute garage queen without even a scratch in her and a single owner. Guess this took care of that cherry!!!!!:o
Could have been worse as that mat could have come through the windshield!
I'll get it back from the shop in about 2 weeks but as she's silver, I know the paint will never match regardless of how good a body shop it is.
Padrino
If I'd been 100 feet behind the guy it would have fallen back to the roadway. Insurance will cover all but $300 but that isn't the point. I'd bought this C5 5 months ago with 30k miles. Absolute garage queen without even a scratch in her and a single owner. Guess this took care of that cherry!!!!!:o
Could have been worse as that mat could have come through the windshield!
I'll get it back from the shop in about 2 weeks but as she's silver, I know the paint will never match regardless of how good a body shop it is.
Padrino
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 877
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From: Rocky Mountains Colorado
My Story
One time the guy was glued to my tail end. He had been there for some time. I saw a large can of oil rolling across the road into my lane. As I was pretty well boxed in, all I could do was move enough to straddle it. It chinked my differential. I looked in my review mirror to see it spinning like a sprinkler, spraying oil all around. The guy was so close it right at the bridge of his grill and hood, shot ten feet ahead of him still spinning and spraying. Then it smacked him again and flew up on the windshield. After the first smack, his windshield was covered with oil, so he had turned on his wipers, which only made matter worse. He couldn't see anything. If the guy had been off my tail like he should have been the can would have fallen and rolled under his vehicle too. He too, was in the wrong place and the wrong time.
It was a odd event anyway.
Craig
It was a odd event anyway.
Craig
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Padrino
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Sorry about the damage, but if the body shop is good, they should be able to match the paint to where you won't even notice it. Best of luck with the repairs.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '08
I thought it was a car length (15 feet) for each 10 mph. If that was the case, he'd not be repairing and painting. I know, I don't always stay far enough behind either when in town (Houston traffic). But on the open road, I try to give space so the ride is less stressful. 
Last edited by gray-c5; May 20, 2008 at 03:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 675
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From: Riverside, California
I've priced the Tigershark front end. For the $$ I'm letting the insurance put on the stock frontend.
Damned part of this is I was taking her on a road trip this next 3 day weekend starting Saturday. Oh well. Guess I'll just have to stay home at the beach in Sun Diego and watch bikinis instead
Padrino
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
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From: Los Angeles CA
That sucks that it happened. I have heard of people getting more money out of insurance for loss of value being that the car now has a record. But that's if you really stick to bugging them and not backing down.
They should cite people more that don't have their loads tied down.
They should cite people more that don't have their loads tied down.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Riverside, California
Padrino