[bmwexecutive]

*sigh* OK, now that that's over, here's what happened:

About an hour and a half ago I was traveling down Drew street in Clearwater when a black GMC SUV pulled up behind me and started to tailgate me. From there, the SUV began weaving in and out of lanes *extremely* erratically. At this point, I dialed 911 thinking a cop better get this guy off the road before he causes an accident. Now after he swerved in and out of traffic five or more times and while I was talking on the phone to 911, I spot an opening up ahead, so, I figured I wasn't going to let this guy ahead of me and I sped up to catch up to the car up ahead so he couldn't get through. Ahh, okay, now I'm satisfied, I was thinking to myself. (Still on the phone with 911 at this point while they transfer me over to the police to have me give them the car's information.) Since I wasn't playing the game any longer he finally found an opportunity to pass and then got in front of me. As he was getting in front of me, he flipped me the bird and I noticed this was a kid in his late teens or early 20's. The second he got in front of me he slammed on his brakes. To be honest, I was expecting him to zoom off once he got around me so I wasn't really expecting to have to hit my brakes. But, I did and with the great brakes that BMW has, I was able to stop in time.

Then, here's where things get ugly: traffic is zooming by and this kid gets out of his car. With his black curly hair and scruffy appearance he proceeds to walk towards my car with his shoulders tucked back, basically looking like he's set on kicking my ass. I had no idea whether this guy was going to get up to my car window, pull a .45 out of his shorts and pop a round through the window or whatever. So, instinctively, I figured I'd better get out of there. Clocked the wheel to my left and hit the gas. Didn't get up to more than 5MPH before I impacted a blue Ford F150 with the front left side of my car. A shower of parts from what I later found to be the headlight rained down from the sky---unbelievably (!) not a single part hit the back of my car (I performed a full body check and there was not a scratch).

So, the F150 stops and gets out of his car. I just tell the police dispatcher that I've just then been involved by an accident with the car I was reporting. While this is happening, the kid in the black SUV casually walks back to his car, laughing the whole way mind you, gives me the finger again and drives away with speed.

Five or so minutes later, paramedics arrive. I tell them I'm alright, no injuries, they have me sign a form that states I'm refusing medicial attention and they go on their way. Just as paramedics were leaving, police arrive, ask if we can move the cars up ahead about 20 feet into a parking lot so we don't block traffic. Just then, a pickup truck pulls up on the median from the other direction. Two guys in their early 30's jump out and tell the cop they saw the whole thing, followed the guy, got his plate number, what he looked like, everything. I'm thinking 'Wow, these guys just saved the day for me. Now my insurance premium won't go up and I'm cleared of any wrongdoing because I have two witnesses. I thanked the guys several times, they gave their info to the cop, and went on their way.

Now, back to moving the cars into the parking lot. My car is driveable so police block traffic while we each move our own cars. Then, to make a long story short, the policeman takes down my recount about exactly what happened, finds the plate number in his system, gives me his business card along with the police report number (which he said he filed under Road Rage and that I got into an accident becaused I feared for my life and tried to get out of there---he said the word "fear" is something you want to use to increase your chances of winning your case ) and said he will be in touch. I tell you though, I'm glad I got the cop I did because he was really nice and gave me some great tips about what to do and not to do when I go to court for this thing.

Finally, I take some snap shots of the scene with my cell phone, unplug the headlight that was dangling on my front bumper, wrap the cords so they don't get caught on anything, throw on my hazard lights and drive home.

It sucks this happened but I'm not going to cry about it. Just wanted to share my story with you guys. I know though that my car will be back to her former glory in probably just over a week. In the meantime, it will look like shit, but I'm thinking of removing my front bumper just so I can still drive her around. Because other than that, there's no damage relating to driveability.

Damage tally:

1. Will need a new front bumper.
2. Will need a new left front headlight.
3. Will need new plastic wheel well piece.
4. Corner of hood needs to be bent back and repainted.
5. Left side fender needs to be bent back and repainted.
6. Will need (1) new kidney grill.

Think that's it.

P.S. Does anyone know if I still have to pay the deductible on my insurance even though it wasn't my fault? My deductible is $500 so it's not all that horrible, but of course it'd be great if there was none for this.

P.P.S. No one needs to suggest that I make sure the body shop check out the suspension and whatnot for damage I can't see because I know what I'm looking at and everything other than the above items are A.O.K.

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

UPDATE - Monday, 3/26:

Turns out the guy I know at the Ferman BMW Collison Center is actually also a Field Examiner for my insurance company. I found this out after calling him. So, he's not an independent adjuster afterall. He works for my insurance company.

Anywho, after discovering that, I called my insurance company back and had them tranfer the field inspection to the man I know at the BMW Collison Center. They did so and an hour later I drove up to Tarpon Springs to have the car examined. The guy took pictures, asked me questions and documented everything. He didn't give me an estimate but said off the top of his head he thinks my $3,800 estimate is close.

He told me he's going to talk to my adjuster about getting the money for the headlight transfered over to me so I can buy the Euro-spec Xenons and then said he'd be in touch. Before I left we setup an appointment for Monday at 9AM. He told me it will take 3 days to repair everything and I can come in on Thursday to pick her up.

So for now, she's drivable and I guess I'll be driving her around with a busted headlight and front bumper for the next week, at which time I'll believe I'll be getting a BMW 325i or 330i as my rental for the 3 days the car is at the body shop.

So far so good.

[spydrz]

You shouldn't have to pay your deductible.

Wow, sorry to hear this!!

[teknochild]

i was promised pictures... where are the pictures...

[spydrz]

It looks like the entire headlight disintegrated...

[Greeney]

Dude, that sucks!!!! You can get the Mtech bumper now though cant you? Im not sure if you like that though.

[bmwexecutive]

Oh, and you know that orange reflector in the headlight that everyone hates? I finally got it out!

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by spydrz

It looks like the entire headlight disintegrated...

It did. It broke up into about 50 parts.

I claimed the big ones and the rest of the small parts are still laying on the road.

[LEDZEP]

Wow, sorry to hear about this!! What is up with people?

[///M3NACE]

HAHAHA on da last comment

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by n1smo

He tested your manhood. Next time, don't try to get involved in something you can't finish.

[///M3NACE]

i woulda run him over and called it seld defense...

[Ryan 330i]

i dont know why you are not crying, because i am crying for you.
i had the same issue about two weeks ago with my rear bumper for everyone that remembers.

NIGHTMARE. i ended up just paying for it instead of turning it into my insurance.

i think as BMW owners our blood boils over and we get carried away, not saying that is what happen to you, but i know thats what happen to me when i got hit!

good luck with all the repairs. i was pretty amazed how quick i got my car back so hopefully yours will be right as rain soon.

[mosport70]

Wow, that is terrible. Well, you might be able to a get new M3 out this once you sue the guy in the SUV.

To fix: M-tec bumper, Vorsteiner hood, Euro Xenons... but you lease right? May be just fix it stock and wait for that settlement check.

You did the right thing not getting out of your car though.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

i woulda run him over and called it seld defense...

Wow. You just reminded me. For some reason I completely forgot about this. When I went to move into the other lane the guy actually ran to get in front of my car. For some reason I forgot about that. I'm pretty sure I would have tried to nudge him to move but I doubt I would have actually ran him over if that was going to happen. I'll bet you 100 bucks he backed off when he saw the car coming in the lane next to me.

[2bmw2]

You caused the accident. You were careless and negligent. It WAS your fault No sympathy here.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

i woulda run him over and called it seld defense...

yup. shoulda just hit him so he learns his lesson. People like that scare me and piss me off at the same time.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by mosport70

Wow, that is terrible. Well, you might be able to a get new M3 out this once you sue the guy in the SUV.

To fix: M-tec bumper, Vorsteiner hood, Euro Xenons... but you lease right? May be just fix it stock and wait for that settlement check.

You did the right thing not getting out of your car though.

Wow. Do you really think I should sue him? That could be a good idea.

As far as the parts, M-tec bumper is a possibility but I'm certain the hood can be fixed. Euro Xenons are out because it was only one headlight, not both that got damaged.

As far as not getting out of my car, I have to tell you, my ego feels a little bruised. I pack pepper spray in my glovebox and I could have easily gotten the pepper spray in hand and then when he came up to my window, cracked it down a couple inches and then blasted the guy with the stuff. I have to say, I really wish I would have done that instead of trying to get out of there. I did it because I figured no harm no foul and I could make it out of there unscathed.

Now, on the other hand, if the guy slammed on his brakes and then backed up ramming my car, I would have gone from scared to angry and it would have been on! I definetly would have gotten out the pepper spray, steel baton and metal punch heart, as it's called, that's in my glovebox and gone to work in self defense.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by Ryan 330i

i dont know why you are not crying, because i am crying for you.
i had the same issue about two weeks ago with my rear bumper for everyone that remembers.

NIGHTMARE. i ended up just paying for it instead of turning it into my insurance.

i think as BMW owners our blood boils over and we get carried away, not saying that is what happen to you, but i know thats what happen to me when i got hit!

good luck with all the repairs. i was pretty amazed how quick i got my car back so hopefully yours will be right as rain soon.

Thanks man. Appreciate the post.

[Ninjaneer]

Good to hear you're okay, sucks though. Keep us posted on repairs and if you get to face off in court with this guy or whatever the next step is!

BTW the whole "I was in fear for my life" statement is true, even though in your mind it might sound like a sign of weakness. It's something I got taught in martial arts classes and my instructors have taught law enforcement etc. so they're pretty knowledgeable about it. So when I break someone's bones in self defense I can go "whoops, well I was in fear for my life when this guy attacked me..." Point is it shows that since you were in fear for your life, you were forced to take [whatever] action... in your case it caused an accident, in self-defense cases someone's busted up.

Disclaimer: IANAL!!!

[Zeiss]

It's good you're ok now

[diesel007]

That sucks man, but I hope you learned your lesson. You are not a CHP officer, if you see some dumb ass driving around like an idiot it's not your job to do anything more then call the authorities to report them. You put your life and the life of others in danger by trying to act like a hero. Imagine if your accident caused injuries to an innocent by standard driving by the scene.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by 2bmw2

You caused the accident. You were careless and negligent. It WAS your fault No sympathy here.

I agree somewhat except I have sympathy for the OP. After reading the OP's post, Your first bad decision was not letting this jerk get in front of you. That action only increased his hostility towards you. If you would have let him go, he would have been off to agitate someone else.

Your deductable will go up. You were in control of your vehicle and you hit someone else not involved in the scenario.

I sympathize with you because you let your emotions take control over your actions behind the wheel, which I have done on several occasions. When we are behind the wheel of a lethal weapon, we must take more responsibility and think of the consequences of our actions before we carry them out.

Hope your insurance doesn't go up too much and they catch the person who initiated your problems.