I was driving to work this morning. I hopped on I-80 heading west towards SF. A few miles later, I was merging on to 50 east heading towards Rancho Cordova. The ramp is two lanes, closing to one at the end and then merging on to the freeway.

So I'm coming around the ramp and up ahead is the semi. I'm doing probably 50 - 55 - the ramp is "suggested" at 45. The semi is probably doing 40 - 45 at most. As I approach the semi, I'm going to pass him on the left hand side, when he decides to change lanes.

No signal. Just lane change.

I try to hit the brakes, but because the ABS in our cars is so sensitive, and because I'm in a corner, ABS goes wild, car doesn't slow and I hit him. I think it's his fault, but there's no witnesses and it looks like it will end up my fault.

Damage:

bumper, hood is trashed, headlights are scratched (though not broken), front grill and subaru logo, foglights will be replaced, radiator, core support and (I think it's called..) drivers side upper front tie rod. There is probably some other small misc. stuff under there, but those are tha main bits. Air bags didn't deploy - thankfully.

The sort of silver lining is that the foglight was already kind of messed up so I'll get that fixed. The bumper had tons of paint chips so that will get fixed. The hood had some small dents on the front - I accidentally put them there while closing it - those will get fixed. It's not horrible. Worst thing is that I was supposed to drive it to Vegas next week, and now we have to take my gfs 91 Integra, which is not in the best shape, but it should make it ok. And I have to pay my deductible, easily the most painful part of this experience.

The CHP came out (if you can believe it..they actually did something for once) and the truck driver said he saw me flying up the ramp and he just decided to merge in front of me anyway. Cop said I was telling the wrong story - he saw glass on the road where the accident occured, only problem with that is no glass broke on my car or the trucks. I hit the bumper of his truck which was undamaged.

****. Three weeks till I get her back

View from pass side:


Front drivers corner:


Front pass corner:


Front pass corner again:


This is proof that the CHP actually came out:


Tow truck. The guy with the hat is the driver..straight FOB:


Tow truck again:

 

I see an STi grill sometime in the near future



sorry about ur car though

-Zoeb

 

Thanks.

So how does after market stuff work? I talked with the guy at the body shop and it sounded like he wasn't too interested in doing that type of stuff. I was just thinking of seeing if I could hook up some nicer headlights like morettes or something. How do you do it?

 

basically insurance cuts u a check and u tell the body shop what to do...thats as long as the body u go to IS NOT the one ur insruance company works with.

you ARE entitled to go to ANY body shop YOU want to.

-Zoeb

 

It looks more like you rear ended the semi as opposed to being side swiped by him. I think the only thing you have going for you is the trucker's statement that he saw you and decided to change lanes anyway.

Look at it this way - you tangled with a tractor-trailer and you aren't dead. That's a pretty good outcome.

 

u proly get the estimate. (dont have the bodyshop do anything yet besides estimate) Insurance cuts u a check. u buy the parts u want. bring it to bodyshop that will do aftermarket stuff and have them install. the grill and lights u could do yourself. just gotta have them painted by the shop. When i had my car fixed i had them paint a v5/6 wing for me so the color would match. the paint job for the wing was under the table with the paint dude. they wouldnt install it though. i took it to mpj for install.

sorry to hear what happened. But its better than the poor biker that got hit by a 16 wheeler this morning on 5S between garden highway and 6 St. luckily he seemed ok when i drove by. when i saw his bike, i expected something REALLY bad. but his clothes werent torn and i saw no blood thank god.

 

well, I called the dealer and took the car to whom they recommend. The shop seems really good - lots of nicely repaired vehicles in their shop, friendly people. I think I'll just put it all back to stock. I found out that they do in fact work with my ins company, but I have 21st century and they specify all 100% new parts ONLY for the vehicle. This shop gets their parts from Senator Subaru, so it should be good.

 

true. He moved over when I was so close that I couldn't slow in time.

 

OH MAN !

so much for the subaru road trip to vegas

when I had my front end taken almost completly off by a lady that ran a red light on a PT Cruiser, I delt with Bodycraft up in folsom. They have a few different locations. I have had my different cars all in different bodyshops at one time or another, and Bodycraft was the only shop that I have ever delt with that actually got the job done at the quote and actually on time ! ( yes, I even have taken my car to several of the 'high end' body shops in town and I will NEVER go back to them)

you may contact them and see if they can work with you on what parts and whatnot to put back on your car. It will end up being cheaper for aftermarket parts that you want vs what the factory parts will cost you as well

sorry about your car getting wrecked.. but look at it this way.. you now got a rental car to beat and thrast around in for about 3 weeks

if you need any help with anythign, please call us at the shop and we can see what we can do for you !

 

I saw the whole thing

sorry to hear it Matt. you'll be okay though.


You have the WORST luck EVAR!

 

u SAW it happen?

if that is the case can't u witness for him?

p.s. I sent the check out in the mail today eric u should have it by tomorrow or the day after

-Zoeb

 

I thnk Eric was joking

 

thanks for the replies. Sometimes my luck isn't the best - but like it's been said, this could have been worse. I'm still pissed though - I hate semi-drivers. They think they own the ****ing road. They see you and pull in front of you anyway figuring you'll stop. They suck so bad.

 

DAMN im sorry bro
i hope everything works out

 

Cool Zoeb. We'll have to give eachother a "good" trade rating now.



Once Scott calls me on my exhaust i'll head over their.

eric