Dealing with Vehicles Hitting Houses and Trucks on the Road: Tales and Lessons

Have you ever encountered a situation where a vehicle hit your parked car, resulting in significant damage? Such experiences can be quite alarming, but they can also provide valuable lessons in handling such incidents. Here are three real-life stories to illustrate different scenarios and the steps taken to resolve these issues.

House Hitting My Car

Many years ago, my wife and I had a lunch outside, returning to find our car had been damaged. A piece of the left rear panel was crushed, and the trunk lid was dented. Initially, we faced a significant challenge in getting the insurance company to accept that the damage was caused by a house hitting our car.

The context was that the historical society was relocating a building built in the mid-1700s. While the relocation was being managed by an automated system, the entry form included a category for "car hit house" but not "house hit car." Despite these initial challenges, the insurance company ultimately still paid for the repairs. The road was not restricted during the relocation process.

Young Driver Misjudgment

Another time, I was the victim of a young driver's misjudgment. A brand new Mustang, which didn't look very experienced, missed a corner and sideswiped my 4-inch steel C-channel rear bumper. As a result, the car looked poor, but it was still driveable.

Upon finding the young driver, he was trying to drive off. After stopping him and inspecting the car, I found that the bumper was slightly damaged, but there was no visible damage to the frame. I tactically asked for a small amount of money and his correct phone number, promising to check the car in sunlight the next day.

Fortunately, no further frame damage was discovered, indicating that the proper caution and negotiating skills can help in resolving such incidents without significant repercussions.

Accident at a Truck Stop

As a truck driver, one night I parked at a truck stop in New Mexico. I dozed off for an hour when suddenly the truck jolted violently. A nearby driver was attempting to park and ended up driving directly into the front of my truck at low speed. He pushed me back into the curb.

Despite the lack of visible damage, I had to report the incident to the authorities and participate in safety training. This was a particularly unfortunate situation as I had no responsibility for the accident. The obligation to undergo safety training, however, might have been due to being caught unprepared for sudden movements around the truck during the night.

Lessons Learned

These experiences highlight the importance of being prepared and thorough in handling vehicle accidents and damage, especially when the parties involved might be inexperienced or uncooperative. It's essential to:

Stay calm and gather evidence. Communicate effectively with the insurance company and involved parties. Check the vehicle thoroughly, both visually and through a professional inspection. Keep a detailed record of all communications and evidence. Understand the insurance policies and their provisions. Be prepared for unexpected training or reporting requirements, especially if you are part of a professional organization.

Ultimately, these experiences demonstrate that with the right approach, you can mitigate the stresses and challenges of such incidents and ensure a smoother resolution process.