Must have been quite the bang when the van hit you! Wonder if he was on his cell phone? Hope someone collected the names of some witnesses at the scene. Once he gets over the initial shock, he may start to think maybe you ran the red light. Insurance companies seem to love 50/50 deals and are happy to blame everyone involved.
Sorry to hear about the car and your ribs. Hope you heal quickly. Randy -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Peter Frederick Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 2:11 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] 87 300D did it's job, RIP Dingdong in JE Sheckel service van blew at red light on the highway this morning about 7:30 and totaled my 300D. Hit the front door as I drove across the highway doing about 60, wasn't watching the road (duh). I got away with some glass embedded in my left arm (gotta go have that dug out in the next day or to, I think) and some very sore ribs. Didn't break the fountain pens in my front pocket or bend up my reading glasses. Dash is completely crushed, had to break out the climate control pushbutton unit and drive the side back to get the glove box open (my brother did, I'm not able!) to get my stuff out, like the spare set of rear pads I've not gotten around to getting installed. A helpful passerby found some long needlenose pliers (probably off the Sheckel van) and turned the engine off, it was running about half throttle and boiling (no radiator cap to keep the pressure off the cracked head). The keys are about 6" inside the dash now, it's that badly crushed. Climate control split in half and folded up, center vent crunched, what a mess. Front doorpost is pushed in at least 18", tire is lying over at 45 degrees or more (lower control arm not bent much if at all), door is pushed in at least a foot. Windshield is busted, floor pan is VERY narrow, console cover is torn up and shoved up 6" or so. I unbuckled and climbed out the passenger side. Other than the punch in the ribs I'm fine, got a cut from my exploded coffee cup that flew out of my carrier bag. Cell phone still works in spite of being thrown onto the floor under the front seat from my bag in the right seat, haven't tried the computer yet, but the bag was still on the front seat where I left it. I ended up pointing straight south rolling down the median from going straight east, no skid marks other than my tires going sideways, I don't think he ever touched the brakes. Other driver was fine, airbags went off, so that's good (although I'm NOT pleased at my car being wiped). Not a good feeling to look up and see a vehicle speeding toward you less than 6 ft away and thinking, oh s.... this is gonna be bad. Didn't even black out, didn't hit my head, didn't bang my hip, knee, or feet. I feel much better about my mother driving a 300 TE, as much of a pain as it has been keeping it running nicely (idle and AC problems, finally fixed). At least if she gets slammed she is unlikely to be hurt. What a car! Now I gotta find another one...... Peter _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
