I had an accident yesterday. It was on I264W just past First Colonial in Virginia Beach. I was traveling in the lane 3rd from right. A car changed lanes from the rightmost lane to the lane beside me and then continued right in to my lane. I moved left and slowed just enough to avoid contact. Unfortunately, I moved left enough to contact the right front tire of a Ford F250 monster truck (huge lift and tires). The truck lost control and contacted the center barrier snapping one of the rods in the steering system. The truck then veered back across his lane and made contact with my mini again. Then back into the center barrier. The truck rode up the center barrier and rolled. I saw the truck rolling right beside me and toward me and planted my foot back on the accelerator. In my rear view I saw the truck land on its roof in my lane right behind me. As I slowed to a stop next to the center barrier I saw the car that almost hit me slow and then accelerate away. It all happened too fast to get a good description or plate number.

I checked to see that my wife and I were OK, dialed 911 and went back to check on the driver of the truck. A lot of other people had stopped too. Despite several people telling him to remain still the driver of the truck crawled out. He had a small cut on his head but seemed to be fine otherwise.

3 out of 4 lanes blocked (all 4 when the tow truck was righting the truck), local police, state police, fire engines, an ambulance; it was quite a production. The driver of the truck was checked and the medical personnel recommended he go to the hospital to be checked out and that he'd probably need 2 stitches. He declined transport and said he'd go by the hospital later.

After investigating, the officer in charge came over to me. He was very apologetic. He explained that all the witnesses agree that there was another car that swerved into my lane. He then explained that the truck had a right to be in the lane he was in and that I did cross into his lane. He then gave me a ticket for unsafe lane change. He explained all the usual stuff and strongly recommended that I show up in court and that he would testify on my behalf. Odd, but he was nice about it. Good advice though so I'm going to court.

With all that, I am so glad no one was seriously hurt. Mirth did a great job protecting my wife and I and is even drivable. But I am still angry that the driver that caused it all just sped off.

I've made the calls to my insurance company. I'll take it to the repair shop on Monday. I have no idea how long repairs will take.

Everyone always wants photos so...

Here's Mirth on the next to the center barrier about half an hour after the accident:


Here's a better picture back in my driveway, you can see a circle made by the truck's right front tire:



Here's the truck, it was a scary thing to see:

 

Ouch!

But...

Mirth did his or her job and kept you safe, don't worry too much because in a short time Mirth will be back to full health and will be ready to live to tell another positive and memorable motoring experience! Take Care!

Motor On!

 

She looks like she just finished the NASCAR race at Bristol. And I can believe you were stupidly given a ticket. I just moved to Alabama after living in Newport News and DC for most of two decades.

Ridiculous that with witnesses saying what happened, you still got a ticket. Apologetic or not, that cop had the discretion to use some good judgment.

 

Sorry for the double post, but last week I had two vehicles try to merge with my CPR baby. One was an SUV that probably didn't see me because we're so low. The other was just a jerk that didn't even bother to look. First, no turn signals. Now, no looking. MINI mobility got me out of both jams. Sorry it didn't work out better for you.

 

Yeah, sucks, no? To be 'in the right', you just stay put and let the other car slam into you.
Glad you're ok. Seeing the BIG tire mark on the door is scary!

 

I trust you were able to latch on to the contact info for some of those witnesses.

Also, you'll want to make quadruple-sure that the friendly officer does, indeed, show up in court on your behalf on the appointed day. Unless he shows up (and no-shows are not uncommon) all of his good intentions will be meaningless. Given that you are the only one who's been cited in this incident, it's likely you'd get stuck with the fault in court.

Does the driver of the truck agree that a third party was the instigator, and not you?

Sorry about your MINI. I'm glad you and your spouse are okay. I hope you're able to resolve things to your satisfaction and are back out motoring soon.

 

WOW! You definately came out lucky and another MINI doing its job ! Glad your all safe including the drive of the F250

 

Wow, thank God you're OK! Being the owner of a Ford truck, too, I have to say I'm continually impressed with BOTH my choices...Fords are also the safest trucks on the road. Recently at work, my head boss sent out a message and video clip about "Room to Live" -- it was a tv channel's study on wearing a seat belt vs. not, who lived and who died as a result...and how much "room to live" a severely damaged vehicle cab had in it, if only people would wear seatbelts. Sounds dumb or "run of the mill", but it was a really good clip...gotta find that...

I had something similar happen -- although totally not as dramatic -- on I-95 North in Colonial Heights, vA. AND I reacted by moving too, so technically I was at fault. Fletcher's Body Shop (Richmond) is EXCELLENT. They took about 2.5 weeks, but had threatened, i mean ESTIMATED!, four weeks for the work which included hood replacement. They hit about $2k for the job including paint & labor, but it was worth it.

 

Quite a story to read...I'm sorry about your MINI....Just glad to hear that everyone involved was unharmed... As for the driver that initially started the whole thing, it's a shame that this happens a lot.

Donna

 

Wow! After all that your mini is still in tact for the most part? I am sorry for your mishap but so glad I chose to buy a mini! That guy that caused all this will get theirs down the road. The man upstairs does not take kindly to this type of behavior. Bad Karma to him for sure. Good to you! Take care, Ed

 

I was out checking out my Mini and cleaning out items I'll need while she's in the shop. The chrome door handle cover fell off onto the driveway. The mirror lost the cover but rotated back into position and seems fine otherwise. It looks like it's all sheet metal damage: the driver's side panel behind the door, the door itself and that small panel between the door and the front wheel. I'm quite proud of Mirth, she held up well. That F250 did pretty darn good protecting it's driver too.

I'm very pleased that everyone came out of it OK. Mirth goes to the shop Monday morning. It sounds like State Farm and the repair shop handle everything from here on. I just wait for the estimates and repairs.

Is it silly that I have this strong urge to wash Mirth before the trip to the shop?

 

No, I don't think so...It's kinda like mom telling you to put on clean underwear in case you're in an accident, isn't it? Chin up, she'll be ok.

 

Wow, I'm so very glad everyone is ok. As for the lowlife who sped off.....they'll get theirs someday. And please let us know how it turns out. That ticket should be tossed if you can get notarized statements from the witnesses. I sure hope so anyways.

 

I am sorry this happened, but very glad that no one was seriously hurt. It is a shame that someone "forced" this accident to happen, then did not have the decency to stop and help.

 

MirthScout, Fuzzy posted a link to this post on MINI2, and I reposted your pictures there. Hope you don't mind? Here's a link to that thread: http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-d...ml#post3427937

 

AprilWhine, I don't mind. I'll go check that thread out too.

 

holy cannolie! glad to hear everyone was ok. from the height of that truck it looks like that could have ended really badly. glad it didnt. great thing minis are also tanks in disguise

 

I found the link to that TV clip, "Room to Live."
http://www.mannyliban.com/room_to_li...m_to_live.html

Have you got the estimate from the body shop yet?

Again, just grateful everybody was ok.

 

Wow. That's a pretty powerful video! I always wear seatbelts and make sure passengers do to. I saw enough pictures and stories to convince me years ago. But that video says it better than anything else I've seen.

The driver of the truck was wearing his seatbelt too. Good thing! It was a nasty roll but he stayed right in place. He said the scariest part was when the truck was sliding on it's roof and the roof was colapsing toward him. But he just got a small cut on the head and pretty shaken up. Not bad at all for such an accident.

The shop wasn't open this morning so I just dropped tha Mini off this morning. I have no idea how long things take from here on.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your accident, but I'm glad that everyone's ok!

 

Thanks for the nice words of sympathy, concern and encouragement everyone.

I did actually wash my Mini before it went to the shop.

The body shop called earlier. The insurance estimate was much less than I expected. Since this is my daily commuter the bonnet has gotten all chipped up in only two years. I decided to get the bonnet re-painted while it is there. I'll get some kind of clear bra installed as soon as I get it back. The shop says that should be by the end of th month!

 

That's great news Mirth!
Youll have to get a vinyl guy to do up a F250 silhouette to put on your driver's door... 4x more kills, and you're an ace!

Seriously, am glad that no one was seriously hurt, esp for the actions of such a 'tard that created the accident in the first place.

 

Can I ask which body shop?

 

It's at Art Walker's Body Shop. Since I haven't needed body work in over 20 years I called Checkered Flag Mini to see who they use.

 

Good deal...I did the same, and to my pleasant surprise, my insurance company recommended the same body shop. I learned the ones with a regular working relationship with the Mini dealerships also get parts and pieces, paint, etc. on hand much quicker and do a much more Mini-professional job. Hopefully they're over-estimating the time it'll take, and you'll get the poor mite home quicker!