Went out early this morning to get a haircut (the place I go to opens at 7 AM - near the corner of Lewis and Elenore. But decided to hit McD's on Sylvania Avenue (near Willy's Parkway) first for a Breakfast Burrito and juice).
It was a beyoootiful day for scootering too - low winds; crystal clear blue sky; a really bright sun and mild temperatures in the lower 70's.
Got there at about 6:40 and ordered; reached in my back pocket and discovered I'd left my wallet at home (had the checkbook though - the barber is a 'cardless' type and she only takes cash or check).
I walked out disheartened 'cause I knew I only had enough time to go home and come back to get the haircut. Breakfast would likely just be a quick fruit bar at the homestead.
BUT (yes, the fatal BUT) I decided to get the haircut first. So, I headed east on Sylvania; got into the left lane and arrived, without incident, at the well known intersection in this part of town known as 'Five Points' 'cause here several streets (Sylvania, Lewis, Phillips and some side street) join making five points to get in or out.
I did the little turn off Sylvania to go north on Lewis and had to STOP because the light was red. And boy what I faced there!!! The brilliant rising sun had just flashed out from behind a building caddy-corner in front of me bathing the whole intersection in dazzling and blinding sunlight.
Yep, I couldn't see to save my life - had to hold up my hand to partially block the sun so I could watch the traffic light turn green.
And to make the matters even more difficult - the cooler temperatures along with the heat from the sun were rapidly fogging up my goggles (which I wear under my full-face yellow helmet) as I sat motionless waiting for the light to turn green.
Well, as all lights do - it turned green. I released the brakes; turned my right wrist back to throttle up; pulled my legs in on the floor board of the Vespa and began to turn left and head north on Lewis.
When quite by surprise a compact car came out of the dazzling light right in front of me.
I smacked into its front left fender causing me to lurch forward bodily; then the Vespa scraped across down the length of the two driver's side doors and caught on something and I and it went down on our left sides on the road.
So, there I lay on westbound Sylvania Avenue with the scooter right top of my left leg while its engine continued to putter on.
I didn't detect any injuries; indeed I remember hitting the road with my left arm and the armor in it absorbing the shock. The boot on my left foot had absorbed any shock from the Vespa keeping my foot unharmed. Finally the knee pad I always wear caught the shock of both road and the Vespa's body thus protecting my leg from injury.
In seconds I pulled my leg out - with only a bit of minor resistance as the right lip of my boot caught on something on the scooter. I stood up; righted the scooter on its wheels; pulled it back on its stand and cut off the engine.
I looked around and then west on Sylvania Avenue for the other motorist and saw the compact car had stopped in the road. A young woman with blond hair got out; quickly walked over and asked me if I was alright. I told her I was.
She then told me she had just gotten her car (a Neon) and she had no insurance yet (not that it mattered to me as I was the offending party here). In fact she was on the way to her agent's office to have the insurance from a previous car transferred to her new one.
She told me her name was Aurora and that she was F#*#d because she not only had no proof of insurance, but she had no insurance at all. Aurora then popped out her cell making me think she was summoning the police.
Nope, nope, nope - she called someone - I don't know who: parents, hubby, boyfriend, girlfriend or whatever and she began to jabber away about the accident. I told her we had to call the cops and she said "Yeah and I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance." and went back to jabbering on her cell.
Well, I have insurance and I couldn't wait for her to get out of wherever she 'd gone in her mind . So, I flipped out my own cell from my left pocket (undamaged by the spill) ; dialed 911 myself and summoned help - emphasizing to the operator that no one was hurt and that traffic was not being blocked. I was advised a unit was on the way.
By now Aurora had finished her phone conversation. So, I advised her the police had been summoned and she said again (now becoming a refrain) "Yeah and I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance."
I apologized and told her I couldn't see because of the sun. She said she knew as she saw me shield my eyes from it. Then repeated her refrain and said she saw me move out, but as she had the right-of-way, assumed I was going to stop. And she repeated her refrain again. I apologized again, but she just kept repeating her refrain.
Well, I left her to herself and decided to pull the Vespa up on the little traffic island that's there at Five Points - to get it out of the way and prevent another incident.
And that seemed to be signal to her as she walked back to her car; got in it ; started it up and pulled on that little side street that becomes the fifth of the five points.
I called my boss and advised I'd had and emergency and might be out until noon.
And that's when I began to take stock of the damage.
Aurora's car's left front fender was all crinkled up. (Later she told the police officer there was a long scrape on her doors - but I couldn't see it from where I stood).
I turned to the Vespa - and cranked it up - no problems starting. I noticed the right-hand sideview mirror was loose, but not broken and that the handle bar was twisted a bit to the right. Nothing was leaking and the front of the body had a small dent with some scratches on the paint here and there elsewhere. Far as I could tell the Vespa had come off the winner in the contest. And most of important of all - it was still ride-able.
As I was checking over the scooter, the police unit arrived. Officer Steadman - Badge 100 (and related to the local Civil War hero - General Steadman who was the rock of the Rock of Chickamauga (General Thomas) by saving Thomas' right flank during the Battle of Chickamauga in 1864) began to question us both.
And he asked for license and proof of insurance. Of course mine was at the house and I told him so. Aurora responded with a some what modified version of her refrain about her insurance (dropping the F-word) and handed him her license.
He asked us what happened and I told him; Aurora remained silent.
He told me to stay where I was and he'd be back. He walked her over to her car and got her statement. Then she drove off.
Then he came and got my statement. Then he did what I knew he was going to do: he wrote out a citation. However, he surprised me with kindness - he only cited me for 'red light'; warned me about the lack license and proof of insurance (the latter of which he decided to assume I had); advised he was not going to make me appear in court and that I could pay the fine online at the Court's website instead. He asked if my scooter was ride-able (and I advised it was). He let me go with a caution to be careful and that the crash report would be available on line in a day or two.
So, that was that! I pushed the Vespa off its stand; and, while holding the handle bars, push-ran it south, across Sylvania Avenue, to the same side-street where Aurora had parked her Neon. Then I put it up on its stand by the curb; got out the adjustable wrench I always carry; tightened up the right mirror and checked the other (it was loose too). Fired up the Vespa and rode it on to a small parking lot. Did a few turns in it to see how it felt. Pointed it out to the street and headed south to Berdan thence westward, via Willys Parkway-Pioneer-Central Ave, back home to get the license.
I arrived at my abode without incident and got my license. Went to the PC and submitted my claim to Progressive. Went to the Court's website and paid my $103.00 fine. Then I left the house; locked it up; hopped on the Vespa; fired it up and headed west for Vespa of Toledo for assistance in straightening out the handle bar and getting a damage estimate.
I arrived there without incident; advised Mike Kookoothe, the owner of the accident and asked for an eye-ball estimate. He took one look at the LX and said "Man, what a tough bike!" He fixed the handle bar; replaced a broken off reflector and promised to work up an estimate of the damage - he assumed about $250.00 - not even enough to get past a standard deductible.
So, that's my Vespa Crash! This was the second accident on a motor scooter. The first was in July of 2006 when I still owned my 2005 Yamaha Vino 125. I hit a rut on a side street then and applied the front brake resulting in being thrown over the handle bars. The Vino was damaged but ride-able home. The police were never involved. And it spent about a month in the shop waiting for parts.
I don't think the Vino would have survived this crash well. I am impressed by the Vespa and am all the more convinced that I am NOT over dressed with the safety gear. In fact it is certain had I been dressed in street clothes alone I'd be scraped and bruised up right now.
And as for Aurora - I do have the impression that had she been at fault she'd have taken off in a flash leaving me laying in the road - not caring if I was alive or dead - and with only a single thought coursing through her mind "I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance!"
Well, I'll tell ya - given that attitude - $7.00 per gallon can't come too soon for me!!**
-----------
**Curious about this statement? Many economic analysts are predicting that $7.00 per gallon will be the breaking point for most working class folks. The assumption is that at $7.00 per gallon these folks, en masse, will begin shunning use of their cars. NOW, unless your brain is completely in the fog, I think you know what I'm getting at here - right? Or must I make it 'lappy?'
It was a beyoootiful day for scootering too - low winds; crystal clear blue sky; a really bright sun and mild temperatures in the lower 70's.
Got there at about 6:40 and ordered; reached in my back pocket and discovered I'd left my wallet at home (had the checkbook though - the barber is a 'cardless' type and she only takes cash or check).
I walked out disheartened 'cause I knew I only had enough time to go home and come back to get the haircut. Breakfast would likely just be a quick fruit bar at the homestead.
BUT (yes, the fatal BUT) I decided to get the haircut first. So, I headed east on Sylvania; got into the left lane and arrived, without incident, at the well known intersection in this part of town known as 'Five Points' 'cause here several streets (Sylvania, Lewis, Phillips and some side street) join making five points to get in or out.
I did the little turn off Sylvania to go north on Lewis and had to STOP because the light was red. And boy what I faced there!!! The brilliant rising sun had just flashed out from behind a building caddy-corner in front of me bathing the whole intersection in dazzling and blinding sunlight.
Yep, I couldn't see to save my life - had to hold up my hand to partially block the sun so I could watch the traffic light turn green.
And to make the matters even more difficult - the cooler temperatures along with the heat from the sun were rapidly fogging up my goggles (which I wear under my full-face yellow helmet) as I sat motionless waiting for the light to turn green.
Well, as all lights do - it turned green. I released the brakes; turned my right wrist back to throttle up; pulled my legs in on the floor board of the Vespa and began to turn left and head north on Lewis.
When quite by surprise a compact car came out of the dazzling light right in front of me.
I smacked into its front left fender causing me to lurch forward bodily; then the Vespa scraped across down the length of the two driver's side doors and caught on something and I and it went down on our left sides on the road.
So, there I lay on westbound Sylvania Avenue with the scooter right top of my left leg while its engine continued to putter on.
I didn't detect any injuries; indeed I remember hitting the road with my left arm and the armor in it absorbing the shock. The boot on my left foot had absorbed any shock from the Vespa keeping my foot unharmed. Finally the knee pad I always wear caught the shock of both road and the Vespa's body thus protecting my leg from injury.
In seconds I pulled my leg out - with only a bit of minor resistance as the right lip of my boot caught on something on the scooter. I stood up; righted the scooter on its wheels; pulled it back on its stand and cut off the engine.
I looked around and then west on Sylvania Avenue for the other motorist and saw the compact car had stopped in the road. A young woman with blond hair got out; quickly walked over and asked me if I was alright. I told her I was.
She then told me she had just gotten her car (a Neon) and she had no insurance yet (not that it mattered to me as I was the offending party here). In fact she was on the way to her agent's office to have the insurance from a previous car transferred to her new one.
She told me her name was Aurora and that she was F#*#d because she not only had no proof of insurance, but she had no insurance at all. Aurora then popped out her cell making me think she was summoning the police.
Nope, nope, nope - she called someone - I don't know who: parents, hubby, boyfriend, girlfriend or whatever and she began to jabber away about the accident. I told her we had to call the cops and she said "Yeah and I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance." and went back to jabbering on her cell.
Well, I have insurance and I couldn't wait for her to get out of wherever she 'd gone in her mind . So, I flipped out my own cell from my left pocket (undamaged by the spill) ; dialed 911 myself and summoned help - emphasizing to the operator that no one was hurt and that traffic was not being blocked. I was advised a unit was on the way.
By now Aurora had finished her phone conversation. So, I advised her the police had been summoned and she said again (now becoming a refrain) "Yeah and I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance."
I apologized and told her I couldn't see because of the sun. She said she knew as she saw me shield my eyes from it. Then repeated her refrain and said she saw me move out, but as she had the right-of-way, assumed I was going to stop. And she repeated her refrain again. I apologized again, but she just kept repeating her refrain.
Well, I left her to herself and decided to pull the Vespa up on the little traffic island that's there at Five Points - to get it out of the way and prevent another incident.
And that seemed to be signal to her as she walked back to her car; got in it ; started it up and pulled on that little side street that becomes the fifth of the five points.
I called my boss and advised I'd had and emergency and might be out until noon.
And that's when I began to take stock of the damage.
Aurora's car's left front fender was all crinkled up. (Later she told the police officer there was a long scrape on her doors - but I couldn't see it from where I stood).
I turned to the Vespa - and cranked it up - no problems starting. I noticed the right-hand sideview mirror was loose, but not broken and that the handle bar was twisted a bit to the right. Nothing was leaking and the front of the body had a small dent with some scratches on the paint here and there elsewhere. Far as I could tell the Vespa had come off the winner in the contest. And most of important of all - it was still ride-able.
As I was checking over the scooter, the police unit arrived. Officer Steadman - Badge 100 (and related to the local Civil War hero - General Steadman who was the rock of the Rock of Chickamauga (General Thomas) by saving Thomas' right flank during the Battle of Chickamauga in 1864) began to question us both.
And he asked for license and proof of insurance. Of course mine was at the house and I told him so. Aurora responded with a some what modified version of her refrain about her insurance (dropping the F-word) and handed him her license.
He asked us what happened and I told him; Aurora remained silent.
He told me to stay where I was and he'd be back. He walked her over to her car and got her statement. Then she drove off.
Then he came and got my statement. Then he did what I knew he was going to do: he wrote out a citation. However, he surprised me with kindness - he only cited me for 'red light'; warned me about the lack license and proof of insurance (the latter of which he decided to assume I had); advised he was not going to make me appear in court and that I could pay the fine online at the Court's website instead. He asked if my scooter was ride-able (and I advised it was). He let me go with a caution to be careful and that the crash report would be available on line in a day or two.
So, that was that! I pushed the Vespa off its stand; and, while holding the handle bars, push-ran it south, across Sylvania Avenue, to the same side-street where Aurora had parked her Neon. Then I put it up on its stand by the curb; got out the adjustable wrench I always carry; tightened up the right mirror and checked the other (it was loose too). Fired up the Vespa and rode it on to a small parking lot. Did a few turns in it to see how it felt. Pointed it out to the street and headed south to Berdan thence westward, via Willys Parkway-Pioneer-Central Ave, back home to get the license.
I arrived at my abode without incident and got my license. Went to the PC and submitted my claim to Progressive. Went to the Court's website and paid my $103.00 fine. Then I left the house; locked it up; hopped on the Vespa; fired it up and headed west for Vespa of Toledo for assistance in straightening out the handle bar and getting a damage estimate.
I arrived there without incident; advised Mike Kookoothe, the owner of the accident and asked for an eye-ball estimate. He took one look at the LX and said "Man, what a tough bike!" He fixed the handle bar; replaced a broken off reflector and promised to work up an estimate of the damage - he assumed about $250.00 - not even enough to get past a standard deductible.
So, that's my Vespa Crash! This was the second accident on a motor scooter. The first was in July of 2006 when I still owned my 2005 Yamaha Vino 125. I hit a rut on a side street then and applied the front brake resulting in being thrown over the handle bars. The Vino was damaged but ride-able home. The police were never involved. And it spent about a month in the shop waiting for parts.
I don't think the Vino would have survived this crash well. I am impressed by the Vespa and am all the more convinced that I am NOT over dressed with the safety gear. In fact it is certain had I been dressed in street clothes alone I'd be scraped and bruised up right now.
And as for Aurora - I do have the impression that had she been at fault she'd have taken off in a flash leaving me laying in the road - not caring if I was alive or dead - and with only a single thought coursing through her mind "I'm F#*#d 'cause I got no insurance!"
Well, I'll tell ya - given that attitude - $7.00 per gallon can't come too soon for me!!**
-----------
**Curious about this statement? Many economic analysts are predicting that $7.00 per gallon will be the breaking point for most working class folks. The assumption is that at $7.00 per gallon these folks, en masse, will begin shunning use of their cars. NOW, unless your brain is completely in the fog, I think you know what I'm getting at here - right? Or must I make it 'lappy?'
2 comments:
Gee mike, you crashed into her new car. You couldn't have paid for the damage to it?
Gee Anon -she got all my insurance info - her name's still on the archived claim with my insurance company. So, they must have contacted her -- everything was all set -- all she had to do was follow through and she'd been paid for the damages.
Like the old saying goes: you can lead a horse to the water, but can't make it drink.
Why she chose not follow through and get paid mystifies me even to today.
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