Karma...... Food for thought

[Snaggletooth]

Karma

 

Payback's a B...h

 

What goes around comes around

 

I guess these all apply. Had an interesting morning the other day. The area had some nasty winter weather for a couple days. Heavy, wet snow overnight with about 10 inches on the ground and temps had dropped to -8 degrees by morning. I had some things I had to take care of so needed to get out for a while to head across town. I recently purchased a newer car, a flawless one owner so I had my concerns on the road conditions. You understand, not so much as the streets themselves and the local drivers that have been born and raised in the Midwest that forget how to drive at the sight of the first snowflake.

 

Those of you from the Midwest know the ones I'm talking about. The ones that should move to Florida. But this isn't about them this time.

 

I had only gone a few miles across town avoiding the main streets and taking a street along the college and park. The traffic light had changed and I stopped behind several other cars in front of me at the intersection. Traffic behind me was crawling up slowly. Seemed safe enough for the moment. Sat back and enjoyed the fresh snow covered park scenery and watching cars creeping along the main street.

 

Then I felt the "Nudge". Not a hard hit. Just a light bump, but enough to make you notice. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a small SUV behind me. Looked like it was up against my bumper. The driver was looking down inside her car leaning forward. First thought, "not my new car", second thought was "nit wit (or slightly more colorful.)

 

Got out of my car and walked to the rear. Yep, the SUV was right up against my car. The other driver was still in her seat leaning forward and looking down. I had a moment for concern for her well being, maybe a medical problem until I got the her drivers door and saw her leaning down, typing on her call phone texting.

 

She looked completely surprised when I knocked on her window, like what are you doing? I pointed to my car and told her through the window "you hit me." I went back to rear of my car and pointed down. She still sat in her car looking at me. I pulled my car ahead and checked the back of mine and the front of the SUV. No damage, just the snow and ice rubbed of. Now keep in mind at this time we are blocking the only open lane through the snow. I told her though her window she might want to take a look at this. She finally opened her door and got out and looked at the bumpers. When she did a blue cloth bundle fell out on the ground. She looked at the car and asked me why I backed into her.

 

OK, this is the point where most people snap. I have to admit my first thought was I would like to teach this young woman how to make snow angels next to her SUV. Nah, it's -8 out, all traffic is stopped (too many witnesses) and apparently no damage. Ain't worth the effort to argue. She walked back to her car and got in, leaving that blue bundle in the snow next to her SUV. I picked up the bundle and held it up by her window. All I got was an angry stare, rapidly moving lips and she shot me the old #1 salute.

 

Exit stage left. Time to go. End of story, you'd think so. Not quite yet.

 

I continued on my way. (I hung onto that blue bundle) She followed at a reasonable distance on the same road for quite a while. There are usually a lot of cars parked long that road but not today with the low temps and snow. Traffic was moving along well. After a bit of keeping an eye on her making sure she was staying back a ways I saw her SUV go sideways in the street and into a drift.

 

OK, this is where I'm allowed to chuckle right? She had it coming. Probably texting on her cell again. Probably about the moron that had backed into her at the stoplight. Did I laugh? ok, a lil bit. But..... I did stop and circle the block to see what had happened. I felt like I had to.

 

What it appeared to happen was she had swerved and ran into the back of a parked car. The car had been pushed over the curb and was badly damaged on the rear quarter. Her SUV was beat up pretty well to, and stuck in the snow drift. She wasn't going anywhere. She was out of her car stomping around and waving her arms, (with the cell phone in her hand.) At least that wasn't damaged. She looked fine and others had stopped so I continued on my way. But as I drove by her I did return her one finger salute. I felt I owed her that much.

 

So that should have ended my story on Karma. Nope, don't think so. There is more to tell, I think.

 

I go on to my original destination and first stop of the day. I sat in my car for a few moments thinking over the short trip across town. I made it. I survived. Nobody got hurt. Car wasn't damaged. It's all good.

 

Oh yeah, the blue bundle..... Turned out it was a rather nice blanket. Heavy fleece, almost new. Thought she would have liked to have that standing next to her damaged SUV in the cold. Almost felt bad for her. Almost.

 

So with the weather being nasty the parking close to the building was packed. I had to park away a bit and walk around a drift in parking lot. I avoided the deep tire tracks, stomped though the deeper snow and kept heading towards the building. What I didn't notice (until I was in a horizontal position three feet in the air) was the glare ice behind the drift.

 

Yep, there are times even in the deep of winter storms that one can really appreciate decent motorcycle gear. A warm riders jacket with armor in the elbows and back. Decent gloves. Warm boots. Good sunglasses ( but should have been polarized. Might have seen the ice) The only thing missing was the helmet. Should have had the helmet.

 

Once the stars and lil birdies had cleared, laying there on the ice in the -8 temps and wind blowing across me the first thought was "I shouldn't have flipped her off." Maybe I should have made a better effort to return the blue bundle. I did my best to be nice. I tried. Maybe I failed completely. I gave up for the day. Returned to my nest.

 

So this story turned long winded as I'm sitting here wrapped in a new blue blanket waiting for my back to quit feeling like a rusty ratchet and stop making squeaking noises while I walk. I'm still pondering who got the worst of the Karma? Who exactly got the payback? Is there something else yet to come around?

 

As for that young woman texting....... be afraid. They are out there. The next time I see a woman texting should I give her a blanket? Would it help?

 

Nah...

 

Ya'll be safe and warm.

[slowrollwv]

Nah she didn't hit a parked car, It jumped out in front of her.:rotfl::rotfl:

[K-Rider]

Great story. Hope your back gets well soon. And parked cars jumping out in front of you is no laughing matter. My wife has had two of the dang thing jump out and hit her while she was backing out in the last 6 months.

[Chaharly]

Great story you handled it better than I would have. Best of luck to your back and your head!

[Zzyzx]

Think you came out ahead, at least you got a new warm blanket out of the deal, all she got was a damaged SUV and higher insurance premiums.

D**M Texters!

[Yammer Dan]

Think you came out ahead, at least you got a new warm blanket out of the deal, all she got was a damaged SUV and higher insurance premiums.

D**M Texters!

 

 

Probally didn't have insurance!!

[Hummingbird]

I recently read or heard on TV that some law inforcemets are attempting to use the cellphones of accident participants as part of the accident investigation. ie: evidence of texting immediately prior to the accident. Everything is time stamped so I think it's a good idea and should be used to affix fault in accidents especially when I see nearly as many people looking at their lap while driving as there are looking at the road.

[Barrycuda]

What sucks is the fact these people have no issues blatantly lying and saying how you backed into her. In this case no harm, no foul. But what if there was real damage or bodily harm? Now we nice do good people have to defend ourselves in court over lies? That stinks. Happened to us/ my wife last year. We had an old lady run a stop sign, then say it was my wife. No issues, small dent in rear of he car. All of a sudden... She has all these problems and symptoms. Which was not present when the officer was taking down the info.... That crap burns my ass.

I'm glad you are the new buggy made it home

[KICKSHOT]

Lying about not being at fault is as common as breathing now a days. Happened to more than one person I know. The bottom line is dash cameras. To be safe you need them pointing front and rear. My friends now have them. My wife was backed into by an idiot at a drive thru. Turned out the vehicle was in one name the insurance in another and neither one was her name. Guess who paid for that one. Cop would not even ticket her.

kickshot

[Chaharly]

I've been thinking about your story alot. I think you did the right thing!!!

[Flyinfool]

I can see us getting the point real soon where dash cams will become a necessity of driving. Just like in Russia. No dash cam to prove otherwise, you are at fault.

 

Just last week I was looking at a couple of cams for my vehicles.

[cowpuc]

What sucks is the fact these people have no issues blatantly lying and saying how you backed into her. In this case no harm, no foul. But what if there was real damage or bodily harm? Now we nice do good people have to defend ourselves in court over lies? That stinks. Happened to us/ my wife last year. We had an old lady run a stop sign, then say it was my wife. No issues, small dent in rear of he car. All of a sudden... She has all these problems and symptoms. Which was not present when the officer was taking down the info.... That crap burns my ass.

I'm glad you are the new buggy made it home

 

Lying about not being at fault is as common as breathing now a days. Happened to more than one person I know. The bottom line is dash cameras. To be safe you need them pointing front and rear. My friends now have them. My wife was backed into by an idiot at a drive thru. Turned out the vehicle was in one name the insurance in another and neither one was her name. Guess who paid for that one. Cop would not even ticket her.

kickshot

 

You guys are right on target, taking personal responsibility seems to be an old fashion idea..

It is sad reading stuff like Snag but you are obviously not alone this mess!!

Took one of the kids in for an orthodontic appointment years back. Lady pulls in next to me. She and her teenage son had been arguing in her car, he was mad and kicked his door open - banged into my car and put a 2 foot long dent in my back fender - hit so hard it woke me up as I was sleeping in the drivers seat. They started to walk away as if no problem. I stepped out of my car, stood there talking as I called the police to get a report written for Insurance.. Central Dispatch said Police only responds to personal injuries. Told me to just get her info and the insurance companies would have to be happy with that.. Got her info, turned it in, found out she had no insurance. My insurance company told me I needed to contact Police and explain she had not insurance and they needed a report from them. Recontacted Police, they looked at me like I was crazy. Ended up fixing car on my own.. MADNESS I TELL YA, SHEAR MADNESS!!