Special offer

Today in St Louis - August 23, 2007

By
Real Estate Agent with Platinum Realty 1999090686

On Saturday (Aug 18), I was involved in an automobile accident.  I had just dropped a client off from showing properties and was on my way home.  I was the first vehicle at the stoplight at Tower Grove and Arsenal.  The next thing I know, there's this loud crash and someone has rear-ended me.  I had my foot on the brake, but the vehicle behind me kept pushing my car forward.  I was somewhat in shock, because I hadn't seen it coming.  Several people had witnessed the accident and stopped to help.  A wonderful middle-aged couple helped direct traffic and some young guys came running up to assist.  The girl in the car behind me was having a seizure and was still unconscious.  Apparently, they had seen her having the seizure and that was why she ran into me.  One of the guys must have had medical training, because he worked with her until she regained consiousness, and until EMS arrived. 

I want to thank the EMS people and the witnesses who assisted us.  They were great.  I also want to thank the policeman who worked the scene.  Officer Murphy, thanks for your help.  You did a great job, and I appreciated it.

Her car had to be towed.  My car is drivable, but has pretty major damage on the rear end.  The trailer hitch is completely bent under, bumper is ruined, spare tire compartment is smashed.  Repairs will cost in the thousands of dollars.  She was not injured in the impact, but they had her in the ambulance when I was told I could leave.

I went downtown this morning to get a copy of the police report (You have to wait 5 business days to get a copy).  After paying my $5.00 for the report, I am reading it, and guess what - the young lady who rear ended me does not have auto insurance.  It also states on the report that she knew she had epilepsy and has had seizures in the past.  EMS concluded that she had a seizure while driving.  She was unable to provide proof of insurance and was cited accordingly.

So, she knew she had this condition, and not only chose to drive, but chose to drive without insurance.  She could have killed herself or someone else....

Now, I get stuck paying my deductible just so I can get my car fixed.  It's aggravating.  Citizens like me, who try to do the right thing and make sure our insurance is paid - would not drive without it - are the ones who get screwed.  Sure, she has epilepsy for the rest of her life, and her car is not drivable, but why should I have to be penalized for her lack of responsibility? 

I know it could have been much worse, and I'm grateful no one was injured or killed, but I needed to vent...

 

 

http://www.timtanzhomes.com

  

Posted by

Tim Tanz

St Louis Realtor, ABR, GRI

Notary Public - State of Missouri

St Louis Real Estate - Tim Tanz, Realtor   St Louis Real Estate - Tim Tanz, Realtor

Platinum Realty of St Louis

1034 S Brentwood Blvd, Ste 750, St Louis MO 63117

timtanzhomes.com

tim@timtanzhomes.com

314-974-4886

 

Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Hey Tim,

Glad to hear you weren't seriously injured. My guess is that your insurance company is going to go after the lady that hit you. It's unfortunate of course that you have to pay your deductible...but, you might be able to sue her in small claims court and get that money back. Either way, good luck with it!

-Keith

RE/MAX Olympic, Manassas VA

www.MyRealtorKeith.com

Aug 23, 2007 02:45 PM
Cheri Dueker
Transitional Designs, LLC - Saint Louis, MO
Transitional Designs, LLC, Home Staging St. Louis
Tim: Being a St Louisan too, I used to live in that neighborhood and there always seems to be accidents there. I witnessed an accident and assisted the victim who had her three kids in th car on a really hot day. I will say that while living close to there we were involved in a hit and run-1 week after we bought and registered the vehicle....Sorry this happened to you-it is a terrible feeling!
Aug 23, 2007 02:59 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida
Tim, you know what the real penalty is:  Try to get insured after this happens to you a second time.  Have a wonderful day!   
Aug 24, 2007 02:01 AM
Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Tim: So how did things work out with your situation?

-Keith

RE/MAX Olympic, Manassas VA

www.MyRealtorKeith.com

 

 

Sep 10, 2007 04:39 PM
Tim Tanz
Platinum Realty - Saint Louis, MO
St Louis Real Estate

Hi Keith, thanks for the post, and sorry for the delay in responding...

I've been without my vehicle for 19 days - the dealer kept ordering the wrong parts...  Thank goodness for rental cars or I would be walking.  The girl's parents have worked out a repayment plan with the insurance company.  Get this - $50 a month on a $5300 bill.  That's over 8 years to pay off the damage.  I'm sure the insurance company is going to get their money first, so I'll never see any of it...

Anyway, everything else is great.  The weather is beautiful here in St Louis, I and my family are healthy, I have a nice home, enough to eat, good friends.  I'm pretty lucky...

 

Sep 24, 2007 09:30 AM