So I was minding my own business this morning driving to work as usual. I was stopped at a light and noticed a Honda next to me in the left turn lane with a really annoying exhaust. The left-turn arrow came on and off he goes ... how annoying... then BANG I get rear-ended .

Some lady in her mini-van wasn't paying attention and reacted to the green arrow traffic (instead of watching traffic) and nailed me . I got out of the car and looked for damage. Nothing that I could see initially so I started to pop off at the lady! Not the most mature thing to do... but I was angry.

I went back and sat in the car for a few seconds deciding what I wanted to do next.. call the cops or let it go. The lady knocks on my window and screams "there's no damage to your car!!" WTF Now she's done it . I call 911 and requested the police and an ambulance. While waiting for them to arrive, my back and neck start to hurt. Next thing I know, I'm in a brace and taking a ride to the ER.

I'm fine, other than a mild whiplash which I'll feel tomorrow (said the Dr) but the lady's license plate is imprinted on my rear bumper AND to add insult to injury, the cop gave ME a ticket for my Euro plate. Now I have to go to court and miss a day of work to boot. What a morning .

 

So sorry this happened to you

Just curious though how can you get a ticket for having a Euro tag? How is that different from any other vanity/non-official front tag?

 

Thanks bamatt

Apparently in IL you have to have a DMV issued plate properly displayed on the front of your vehicle at all times. Although my Euro plate displays my actual license number, it's not the DMV issue. So I have to drag out my original plate and put it back on. Oh well.

I think I'm going to get another set of IL Organ Donor plates. They're for a good cause and they memorialize the late great Walter Payton.

 

Geez, rough deal man. Hope you're feeling better! Any chance that ticket's a "fix-it" ticket?

 

I took 2 Advil last night and slept well. Took 2 Tylenol a few minutes ago to stem a headache. Other than that, I feel fine, for now. The insurance appraiser for the medical claim is coming out to see me today. We'll see how that goes.

I got the estimate for repair from the insurance this morning : $400. the appraisal only indicates refinishing the bumper, not replacing it. Should I be worried? I plan on bringing the MINI to Patrick MINI collision center. We'll see what they say.

The ticket should be a "fix-it". But I have to take off work for half a day to do it.

 

I won't go so far as to suggest suing the ignorant wench (we've got enough frivolous lawsuits as it is), but I'd make sure her insurance company pays for every Tylenol, Advil, and ice cube you use, and that every nick, bump, scratch, ding or scuff you can possibly attribute to the accident gets pointed out to the adjuster and repair people!

Chopper, sic *****!

 

So the insurance called and they're cutting a check to me now for $400 to cover the initial estimate. Now I need to find a shop to get it done. Does anyone know how much it's really gonna cost to fix this? Can they really refinish the bumper or should I have them replace it? The insurance said they would reimburse the bodyshop directly for any amounts over the estimate.

btw... my head is pounding now .

 

Sorry to hear about your accident. Be cautious about settling the claim with the insurance company without giving it some time.
Get a few quotes for the damage to the car, not just one. Don't take a cheque if you plan on fixing the damage, the body shop may find other repair items once the bumper cover comes off.
Get well soon.

 

Where did this happen?

 

thanks daemon2... I still have a headache...

They sent the check for the Body work estimate. If the amount ends up greater than the estimate, they'll pay the shop directly. I confirmed they're going to pay for the rental car based on the estimate. I need to bring it to the shop now for an estimate.

I just spoke to the adjuster for the medical claim and I didn't sign-off on anything. They wanted me to settle the Pain & Suffering portion today. They were going to give me 1/2 days pay + $250 for my trouble. hmmm. I told them to call me next week to follow-up.

 

on westbound Golf Rd just east of Greenwood in front of Golf Mill in Niles, IL

 

Do what I did.

When i was rear ended, they cut me a check for $511 to replace the bumper. I took the check, cashed it, got a used take off bumper off ebay for $50 and pocketed the difference! I got an S bumper on my cooper to boot! I got paid to make my car look better, I dont know how it could have been any better.

 

I was thinking about doing that too. I have the PDC so I wonder how hard it is to replace...

btw... I like that plate holder I might have to get one after the ticket I got

 

The law does not say that your plate must be from the DMV....It states that the govt shall issue you one but not that the plate displayed must be issued by them!....It does however state very specific requirements for your plate and if your euro style plate does not state for example the phrase "Land of Lincoln" then you are in violation.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...0050k3-412.htm

[FONT=Courier New]Every registration plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, the name of this State, which may be abbreviated, the year number for which it was issued, which may be abbreviated, the phrase "Land of Lincoln" (except as otherwise provided in this Code), and such other letters or numbers as the Secretary may prescribe. However, for apportionment plates issued to vehicles registered under Section 3‑402.1 and fleet plates issued to vehicles registered under Section 3‑405.3, the phrase "Land of Lincoln" may be omitted to allow for the word "apportioned", the word "fleet", or other similar language to be displayed. Registration plates issued to a vehicle registered as a fleet vehicle may display a designation determined by the Secretary.[/FONT]

 

For a license plate imprint on the outer rear bumper cover it is quite common to remove the cover from the car, repair & then refinish including the clearcoating and reinstall the rear cover. Should look as good as new.
It is best to pick the repair shop that you feel will do the best quality repair on your car and then take your car & the ins. estimate to that shop. The shop will then negotiate with the insurance co. {if needed }in your behalf to repair additional damage if any is found after dissassembly.

 

Cops have way to much time too mess with us, the guy with the tint ticket, while parked, and now this, whats up with cops, please put down the donut and get the REAL bad guys.

Bad Cop, no more donuts for YOU!

Mini Vans are bad too, a woman driving a mini van, well you do the math.

Please don't hate for me saying what the others are thinking.

 

Francis - I'm glad your not seriously injured!! Your MINI can be replaced, but you can't! I'm really sorry this happened to you

I trust Patrick completely and their body shop near Woodfield can take care of the MINI! I crashed our Saab last year and rather than take it to the dealer we leased it from, I took it to Patrick.

What ever you do, do not take it to a body shop that the insurance wants you to take it to!

Be sure to have Patrick do a 4 wheel alignment while the MINI is in the shop.

Just think - the Dragon is just a little more than a month away, by then your MCc will be good as new and ready for some slaying

 

For $400, not worth filing with your insurance. WIll you rates go up?

 

Thanks for the link planeguy

I read through that too. I actually picked up a 2004 copy of the IL Vehicle Code at the Auto Show (not light reading ). I knew I would run into a problem if I ever got stopped. I just didn't expect to get hit . Plus the Euro plate isn't exactly 6x12. I'll just hang it in the garage or put it on for club cruises

 

Well I'm glad to hear that . Thanks BLIZZ .

I thought they would have to get a new one. I just hope the paint will still match the rest of the body. If not, maybe I can get an aero kit after the Dragon

 

Here are a few cop stories I have (pre-MINI)....

• Behind Rosehill Cemetary, there's a backroad I used to take to avoid gridlock. There's a stop sign that was obscured by a semi. I STOPPED then rolled forward to see if there was any traffic.. a cop was sitting about 200ft from the corner behind the semi. He came out and gave me a ticket for not stopping... WTF
• I was driving to work and was being passed by a Mercedes and a range rover. I get pulled over for speeding and he immediately comments on my tints... WTF

Now this... but I digress

In total, this is the 4th rear end collision I've been involved in. 3 in my Saturn, now my MINI. No offense to any of the women here, but I was struck each time by a women... what gives Each time, they weren't paying attention(twice by mini-vans w/kids).

I constantly remind my wife to watch out.. she's got a lead foot. I cringe when she take my MINI for a spin

 

Thanks Paul I'm fine... I think. I still have a headache. I'm gonna try to sleep it off. The ER Dr said to give this at least 72 hours. If I still have issues, I need to make a follow-up appointment.

I was planning on taking it to Patrick MINI. Hopefully this week. I had no intention of taking it anywhere else unless you Chicagoland guys have any better suggestions? The insurance company (Travelers) has been really good so far. They said it should take only 2 days to fix. We'll see. I definitely want to make the Poker Run in a few weeks

 

Oh trust me... I have NO intentions of getting my INS company involved. I did call them, but they immediately said to call the other insurance since it clearly was her fault. If they have to get involved, then my rates will go up.

The damage estimate was only $400... but the medical bill is gonna hurt:

• ambulance ride - $300-$500
• ER visit - $500-$1000
• CT Scan (for my neck) - ???

Per my wife, who works at the hospital I was taken to, the total bill may top $2000. I'm not paying for that. The other INS company is gonna pay that.

 

MiniMac, Sorry to hear about your car and especially about your pain. Definately take your time to figure out the pain and suffering portion. A good friend of mine got rear-ended and had to go through months of chiropractic work to fix his neck and back. Make sure to milk it for all its worth, to make sure that you are a 100%....the car is important too, but not as important as you.

As for a good shop, give Cosmetic Auto Body a call. My friend/neighbor works for them, and we have used them for every accident, and they always do a spectacular job. And you get some free cookies to boot. PM me if you want their info.

 

Well lets take this out to the fullest. Woman in MINIvan. Kids screaming in the back, cat or dog crawling all over her between her and the steering wheel, she has to put on/ touch up her makeup and then she has to hold the cell phone to take a call.

Hmm... Makes me wonder MrsDiff just got a new RAZOR cell phone I wonder if it works with the factory bluetooth?