Tuesday, September 23, 2008

If I could just take the bus, I would

My car...

His car.

Here we go again.

Seriously.

A little over a year ago I was sleeping peacefully when a banging on my front door woke me.

"Um," said my neighbor, looking sheepish. "Sorry to wake you. But, um, I kind of hit your car."

Yes, yes he did.

To the tune of a new grill, radiator support, radiator, condenser and hood.

It was all handled properly and through insurance and the car was fixed.

But it took a few weeks and it was annoying, because it was totally avoidable. He just backed into my car that was parked in front of my own house.

It also was annoying because I was asleep when it happened. I drive 37 miles each way for work and I park in front of my house and get hit.

So... today, again minding my own business.

This time I was working.

Just working away, editing business stories when my desk phone rings.

Which rarely happens and usually means someone has a wrong number.

"Copy desk, this is Jill."

"Hello. This is security. Do you own a silver Audi that is parked on 5?"

Me, thinking I had left my lights on..."Yes."

"Well, I hate to tell you this, but someone hit your car."

Great. At least the person was there, not a hit and run, which has been done in this parking garage before even though we all work for the same place and should have more common decency than that.

Apparently the owner of the other car backed into the space, got out and went into the building to his office.

Apparently he didn't bother to put the car in park or set the parking brake.

Apparently his car just rolled across the driveway and into mine.

I guess someone else coming into the garage saw his car up against mine and called security. The security guard then tracked down me and the other guy.

I got his insurance information and by the time I called about it 30 minutes later, he had already contacted them.

Yes. This whole thing would be classically comical were it not for the fact that my bumper will likely have to be replaced.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So ... will insurance fully cover it? Will you be able to get a loaner while the car is being worked?

I used to laugh at my sister whenever she parked in a public lot far away from other cars and often at the end of a row against a curb. She has nice vehicles and is obsessed with keeping it ding- and damage-free. But I've since heard about this sort of thing happening to too many people. Including you. So I don't laugh so much any more.

The irony here is that I drive a total wet turd of a car ... and the body is in perfect shape.

Sona said...

I drive a stick shift and making sure my car is properly parked is an obsession with me.

Sorry this happened.

Jill said...

Jim: The plan is yes, his insurance will cover the damage. So far they have not called to set up the inspection. But they will pay and they will get me a loaner car, according to the adjuster.

Sona: Yeah. My feeling is that if you are going to buy a stick, know how to drive it. And how to park it.

At the very least, set the dang brake!