Less than 3 weeks old and I got rear ended tonight. Almost had a meltdown.

I was out running errands tonight and slowed for a stop sign. As I looked in the rear view I saw headlights coming in WAY too fast. And then...that unmistakable sound of metal on metal. BANG.

Guys, this was my FIRST new car. Brand new, owned it less than 3 weeks. Less than 1 thousand miles on it. This is the nicest thing Ive ever owned at the ripe age of 42. This Tacoma means a lot to me.....

Damage was minimal. Im going to need a rear bumper and some paint work. Im upset though, as its never going to be 'perfect' again. The repair may look perfect, and the paint may be perfect, but Ill always know its been repaired because of someones stupidity other than my own.

Now, if you are a liberal or a gun hater, dont read any further....

I was carrying a gun tonight. I have a pistol permit and Im career military and I carry from time to time. No reason, its just because of the world we live in. Im not a gun nut looking for a fight, I just like to know I can defend my family if stupidity comes my way. (Like, some angry guy who just rear ended me)

The guy who hit me didnt have any insurance info. No cards, no registration and no license. I was about to loose my shit on him (remember.....FIRST new car....) and I walked away because I didnt want to escalate the situation with my own temper. The guy who hit me made a comment that he was ok, but wouldnt be in a few minutes when the cops showed up. Thats when I backed up. (The guy got arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd) so he KNEW he was in trouble.

Anyways, Im a total mess tonight knowing that my new car needs body work and is going to be in a shop for 2 weeks.

Rant off. I just needed to vent.

 

Damn brother. That sucks...way to hold it together though. Hope it works out in your favor. Are you/your insurance stuck with covering the damage since the guy didn't have insurance??

 

Sorry to hear that man, that's definitely a nightmare of mine I hope I never have to live. It wasn't your fault though. Sounded like that guy was pissed about the cops showing up, and if a read correctly he kinda made a threat towards you?

 

First off, I know how you feel. The first nice truck you've ever had and then BOOM, some Jag takes it away from you.

First off I'm glad you're okay, you should be too man.

Second off I know what you mean about it never being perfect, but my friend it's a truck. Not quite perfect is good enough. Embrace the fact that these machines are designed to be beaten to death, and still survive. They're rugged, and mean. I know that's not what you wanna hear, (trust me, I felt the same way as you for a long time), but once you just tell yourself it's a truck you'll be happier about it.

Glad you're okay man. Sorry about what happened.

 

That sucks man glad you're okay, I'm kinda confused by your story, what do you mean "thats when I backed up"

 

s#it happens. just make sure your truck is all good and move on. I would have probably punched the moron

 

Really sorry to hear this. I bought my first new car when I was a college student. 1 week and 599.9 miles later, a man in my hometown backed out in front of me. Car was repairable and no one was hurt, but it's just frustrating. Hang in there.

 

Don't loose your shit on someone, man - sounds messy. Glad you realized that carrying a gun means you can't lose (or loose) your shit and escalate the situation. Sorry to hear about your truck, sounds like a great excuse to get a cool bumper fab'd up.

 

Backed up, meaning I walked away. Ive spent a lot of time in the Army, Ive learned that distance is my friend. Distance from your foe gives you time to analyze the situation and calm down. I dont want to turn this into a 'stereotype' thing, but everything Ive been taught told me this guy was trouble. Looks, actions, words....all of it added up to no good. He was actually arrested for AUO 2, so my suspicions weren't far off. Im just glad I didnt have a meltdown on him. I know most people wouldnt justify a confrontation over such an incident....but cmon.....My first new car....this guy had NO information on him....it could have gotten real ugly, real quick.

 

I'm not sure, but I think he meant that because he was in possession of a firearm, he knew he didn't need to allow the situation to escalate into a physical confrontation, necessitating the use of his firearm. This is what's meant by the saying, "An armed society, is a polite society". There are way too many crazy folks out there. Good for you, OP, for not being one of them. And good for you for taking your and your family's safety seriously. I'm just glad you weren't hurt by the other driver's negligence.
Also, thanks for your service.

 

First off I'm glad everyone is ok.

Secondly, as someone who responsibly carries, I'm not what that has to do with the situation. A vehicle accident should never result in anything to do with guns regardless of the circumstances. Let the police sort out liability, and you should always cover yourself by having uninsured motorist.

My truck is my first new vehicle too, I'd be upset as well. That said it is just a truck, not worth making life changing poor choices. I felt better after taking it on the trail and getting a few scratches so it is no longer perfect, now I'm not as worried about it.

Maybe use this oprotunity to look and see if you want to get a heavy duty aftermarket bumper instead paid for by the insurance company, which would protect your truck in the future. Try and make some lemonade.

 

Oh okay! at first reading I thought you were going to have to pull your gun on him to make him stay at the scene or something crazy! Glad you did the responsible thing!

 

Sucks I'm sorry to hear.
They never hit the old beaters do they?

I had someone clip my bumper 2 weeks after getting a new car. I fell your pain.

 

Im still super angry and venting. At NO point was my gun a consideration...I just didnt want to get in a shouting match with this guy and then have him get all stupid on me (seeing how he was giving off all the signs that there was impending trouble) and then have it get to a physical altercation. Like I said, Im not a gun toting asshole. Im just a realist. The guy who hit me wound up getting arrested tonight on other, related charges.(Stemming from other charges??!!) Had I gotten shitty with him, who knows how he may have acted. The simple fact that I was carrying made me take a step back and avoid ALL contact with this guy.

On a positive, Im going to look into aftermarket bumpers. Something big and sturdy.

 

No way man. You NEVER draw unless you are in immediate bodily threat and are ready to kill. You dont unholster unless you or someone else is about to get really hurt. Driving away from a accident doesnt meet those criteria. I live in NY....If I pulled on a guy to make him stay put until the police arrived (Over a motor vehicle accident) Id be sharing a cell with Bubba tonight.

 

Damn sorry to hear man. Makes it that much worse that its new to you, plus I'm sure you've enjoyed your time sharing about your new truck here on the site.

Are they going to check the frame out too? Just to be sure. Is getting a plate bumper an option through your insurance? I'm sure those would hold up 10x better than stock.

 

Yeah, not sure where being a gun hater, lover, or a political liberal has to do with anything. Backing off was the right call no matter what. Defence and space trump all if something looks sketchy because if something happens you are likely to lose control as you make split second reflex decisions.

Anyways, glad to hear you are okay. The truck will only never be the same if you treat it that way. Once you know the damage you can decide what to do. Heck, this could be a great time for an aftermarket steel bumper on the insurance companies dime. Just make sure if the frames tweaked you get extra for lost value damages.

 

Glad your ok. Sorry bout your truck. I would be sick. I've only had one brand spankin new truck. I bought it in 1987. Turned out to be a Lemon. I just bought my Taco but being it was a demo it's kinda not "new" but close. I can only imagine how upset you are. Hope you get your truck streighted out.

 

Couldn't you have just shot him legally ? Like Castle Doctrine style or sumthin ?