Heading out to run a few errands at 6:30pm. Happened about 1.5 miles from my home.
Very, very light traffic. I was in #2 lane of 3 heading south. Seriously, one other car near me but they were way ahead of me. Saw traffic waaay behind me. Open road, straight, wide, plenty of daylight.
I'm a Smith System Driver and am always on my mirrors as needed.
Speed limit 45, my cruise was set for prob 47ish. Just a nice evening, rolling along.
I glance into my rear view to see it filled with a rapidly approaching Dodge truck grill.
I could do nothing. Not even time to brace for impact.
WHAM
Then I realized I has seen smoke in my mirror. He was in a full skid when he hit me. Tires smoking.
I rolled into the Circle K, he followed.
I sat a minute or so, gathering, evaluating. No injuries. I'm fine.
Adrenaline dump, hands start trembling. Gotta get moving. I got out. Walked around the front of my car. Didn't look at damage yet.
I was madder than Janet Reno's blind date.
Look over at the driver...he's walking toward me. "You're a Fcking MORON!" just flew out of my mouth before I even thought.
"Don't come any closer..." I said much more calmly.
After about 90 sec or so. I walked up to my passenger side and look at him over my car. He's on the driver's side.
Crap...he's 17-18 yrs old. Just a stupid kid. I dial it all back in.
Then he says "We can handle this like adults." With a bit of attitude.
"Adults? Oh, there's an adult here, it damn sure ain't you." I replied.
"Call your parents. You have insurance?"
Hands me his Insurance. It's expired. But he apparently grabbed the wrong info, then he hands me valid Lib Mut info, I called and reported it. Spoke with Ins, I'll arrange to have it eval'd.
To recap, he hit me when I was at 45mph. His skid is 135ft long. I know there are skid calculators, but those generally tell you speed to full stop. I need one that tells me "skid 135' ending at 45mph.
Carnage is essentially light. Bumper is easy fix, rear quarter is pushed in about 3/8", no broken tail lights, doors open fine. Even the hatch appears ok.
Have not looked under at the exhaust yet.
