Ouch!

The golden rule of driving is to never hit anyone or anything. Last night I hit another vehicle, which is far better than hitting a person, I guess. Well, at least it's worth being somewhat philosophical.

It's my first 'mistake' in over 20 years yet still it's annoying. I wasn't tired, it was early in the shift. It was heavy traffic but what's new ? In failing to anticipate a sudden change in traffic flow, I simply made a bad mistake. A $300 and three demerit-point mistake.

Actually I feel worse for the boss, who only recently had the cab repaired from another accident. Such is life as a cab operator - one is forever lodging insurance claims. Luckily neither driver was injured from the solid impact yet strangely, my airbags didn't deploy.

Even more suprising was a third vehicle up-front, with no visible damage, got involved. I looked at his vehicle then asked, 'What's up with you ?'. 'Aww....I got a bit of whiplash'. After that I refused to talk to him. Idiot. Just like me, I suppose.

Comments

[Bob]

Sorry for your bad luck mate but crap happens. I had the same thing happen about two years ago,but no damage to my car and a slight dent to the bumper of the car I hit.But I later found out that the total cost of the claim including "whiplash"was £1100 or about AU$26.878

[Major Anya]

Shoot Adrian; thankfully you are okay, which, as they say, is the main thing.

[David]

About 3 years ago I had an accident with a taxi.

Taxi stopped at the red light. I pulled up behind him. Lights changed, he did not move... but i did... (clearly my fault)

I must of traveled 1.5m max and hit a top speed of 5kms per hour. My car (Dihatsu Charade) suffered very minor fender damage, the taxi appeared to only have a minor scratch.

Regardless we swapped details and the taxi driver said his boss would contact me if required.

About 6 weeks later I got a phone call from the police. They were charging me with careless driving. I had to go into the station and give a statement. The reason being is the taxi driver had lodged a personal injury claim. Apparently he had suffered whiplash!

Gave my statement. The officer sighed and said that loads of taxi drivers make false claims for minor incidents. Got the fine and the loss of points. Never actually heard if the driver was successful with his injury claim.

The taxi owner also sent a quote for repairs and demanded i pay it - $1100!!! This was crazy as it was only a scratch!. I just ignored his letters and I have not heard from him since.

I would of been happy to pay legitimate costs but it was obvious to me that the whole situation was just being used for the driver/owner to make a few extra bucks on the side.

[Huggies]

Sorry to read about you accident. Remember your only human.

[invig]

commiserations.

i wonder if all the changes to traffic flow in sydney may have contributed to the bingle?

increased frustration and uncertainty?

not that i think you need a scapegoat, but we've been hearing a lot about it in the media...

[Kezza]

Okay, sorry to be the boring tech-head amongst the crowd, but... Airbags in a majority of vehicles (commodore and falcon especially) wont deploy below 30 Km/h and even then it takes a sudden stop (like hitting a wall or tree) as opposed to a gradual stop against a yeilding object (another car for example). Air bag sensors are located under the drivers seat or on the firewall, not in the front bumper, contrary to popular belief and are operated by a mercury switch which then triggers a computer to measure vehicle speed (and in some cars, direction) as well as G-forces and decelleration.

Pretty nifty huh, the whole process takes no more than 150 milliseconds (less for side airbags) Anyway Adrian, good to hear that you lived to post another day, safe driving for the future!

[PeterB]

Adrian,

Easy sort of mistake to make.

My wife (driving a Charade) was stuck behind car which was hesitating on making a left turn then started rolling forward. Wife followed, looked to right to check oncoming traffic for size of gap and the other vehicle had stopped. Ouch.

I'm an insurance broker and see these sort of incidents on a regular basis.

[Kim]

Ooops! The Bloke also rear-ended someone 30 minutes into the start of our Christmas holidays. It made a 3 hour trip up to coast stretch to 8 hours including getting a hire car! Ugh. Accidents are the worst.

[joann]

It is amazing how fast it can happen. There are two taxis in the Yellow cab yard now with front end damage. Do you get a loaner cab for awhile?

For the next couple of months you will be the best driver on the road!

[adrian]

Bob, the whiplash story was a scam for sure. The idiot quickly left the scene when I started taking phone-images.
David, you did right by calling his bluff - all cabbies have mandatory insurance plus the excess is covered by their pay-in. Unfortunately though, rear-enders are automatically rated 'negligent driving' by the rear driver, unless an expensive barrister can convince a magistrate otherwise.
Kezza, thanks for the techical explanation. Always thought airbags triggered from the bumper. Few years ago I was taken out head-on by a red-light runner at 40kph and bags saved my life. But nearly suffocated me with cordite fumes from the trigger charges ! It's a strange feeling driving around accompanied by a small explosive charge within a metre from my face, cocked and ready to go off. Having said that, I've resolved that my next private vehicle is fitted with bags.
PeterB, this must be the most common accident mistake for drivers, no matter how experienced.
Kim, I feel your pain !
Joann, a leased replacement vehicle was quickly sourced for the next shift. I guess insurance covers the event. And yes, I drove exceptionally careful last night. All up the event has cost me over $700 with the fine, lost wages and a voluntary contribution to the boss's excess payment. A $700 lesson I won't forget in a hurry.
Otherwise, thanks folks for the commiserations and thoughful concerns. Much appreciated.

[Rinna]

All that matters is that you're okay, Adrian! I doubt there are too many people who can say they've been on the road for 20 years without getting into a prang.

PS. Didn't you know that whiplash is a serious problem? :P

[steph]

Considering the amount of time you spend on the road your driving record is excellent. I'm glad you're ok sweets.

[rob]

Regarding the airbag not working, i used to work for a Greek fellow who always disconected the airbags in all his cabs, as he reckoned it cost to much to have them reset after every little bingle. And his cabs seemed to get in a few too, one day i was watching the early news before going to work and a cab had turned infront of a bus from a side street forcing the bus to try and avoid him (though cliping him anyway) by plowing thru an alfresco (this is melbourne) resturant after hitting a few parked cars,,, anyhow after watching this i noticed the same taxi just coming off the tow truck as i got to the depo. At least he didn't have the expense of fixing the airbag on top of everything else,, and he swore no more sub-continental student drivers either!!!

[alan]

Its all about ergonomics and the correct placement of the headrest, if more people were educated we would prevent more whiplash injuries.

[Lee]

Glad you're okay, Adrian...things happen but I understand you feeling annoyed. I'm my own worst critic and berator! ;)