Well, this weekend couldn't have been any worse for me and to top it all off, I was involved in an accident on Saturday afternoon.

Here's a picture of the area.



I was in the center section, trying to turn left into the gas station. There's a set of lights just out of the picture (Cawthra/Queensway), and the light was red so traffic was backed up. There was an SUV in the left turning lane and a truck beside him. The SUV waved me to go ahead, and left room. The truck did the same. I know I shouldn't have gone, but there was a car who made a left out of the gas station as I was sitting in the center so I guessed it was safe. He did the same maneuver I did, just from the opposite side.

Anyways, I proceeded carefully, and inched the nose of my car out into the right turning lane (right by the gas station) and the next thing I see is a car speeding down and didn't even attempt to brake. Woman driver (sorry) aged at about 45 years. It felt like she hit me at around 60 km/h. She had time to cut that speed down drastically, and potentially avoid hitting me but never did. I froze, because my life kinda flashed before my eyes and I guess that little voice said don't move as she would have hit the passenger side door and that could have been a serious injury to me.

Cop gave me a careless driving ticket to just put the icing on the cake. Like are you kidding? I was going NO MORE than 2km/h and wasn't even MOVING at the time of the accident. I wasn't in the mood to argue, being a bit shaken up and flustered / upset because I love this car to death. So, I need to find someone to help me fight this. Probably call up X-Copper or something.

Here's the damage. My fender basically cut into the hood so I can't open it as of yet. The car starts and drives. The tow truck driver unloaded the car and I drove it into the collision shops yard. I was able to shift gears and turn the wheels fine.





The obvious:
1) Bumper
2) Passenger side head light
3) Drivers side headlight (just popped out, not sure it still works)
4) Passenger side Fender
5) FMIC, and probably the lower piping
6) Radiator
7) Rad support
8) CF Hood

As much as I don't want to see this as a writeoff - I have a feeling it might be due to the frame potentially being bent.

The second picture makes it seem worse because my bumper is basically falling off. It's held on by 1 clip on the passenger side, and another bracket.

This is really unfortunate Mike, Sorry to hear it man. I hope for your sake the car is salvageable and not a write off. Fingers crossed.

Mike, son of a bitch dude you haven't had ANY good luck with this car!

She's written off bud, from a mechanic's point of view, she's done. Man I damn near cried when I saw this. I'm glad you are ok, and I feel TERRIBLE for you.

Take the write off, part it out man. I'm SOOOO sorry to see this man, I know what you've put in it and what has been done to this car man. I feel so bad for you.

This sucks man. This really sucks. I don't know what else to say.......

Looks like you ARE at fault, regardless of how it happened. Had a similar accident I came upon, same kind of situation. You'll be able to drop it down to a failure to yield, but fight the ticket.

Yeah Ryan, I know it could have been a lot worse and I'm glad I and the other driver walked away without a scratch.

This season has been a nightmare for me and I'm crazy upset to see my car in this state. But I did get to enjoy about a month of no issues and an awesome-ly running DSM. Blahhh

I'm not sure of the procedure with a write-off, but you're saying that I can keep the car after they give me a settlement cheque? I'm printing off equivalent for sale ads now, and I have a folder of reciepts that show what I've put into the car, so hopefully the amount is fair.

Hopefully the insurance pay-out and the part out will be enough to get you back into the DSM game. It can never replace all the hours and effort, but here's hoping you got a deal on your parts initially and can recoup most of your losses. This REALLY sucks man.

I know how much u like your car but I think u should take as much money as you can and get out of it. Eventually there will be 99 gsx u are looking for.

Yeah, you'll be able to buy the car back from the insurance company for a significantly reduced rate, then pull everything you can out of it.

If you ARE interested, I do know of a few guys selling their DSMs. Might be an opportunity to go AWD for yourself.

As with all things in life, where one door closes, another opens. This IS a shitty situation, but you'll in the end prosper from it. This is a loss you will eventually gain from albeit hard to see that light right now.

Keep your head up buddy.

dude this is horrible!!! frack man, after everything you've had to deal with this car, this is it. I am glad you are ok, but the car is definitely done my dude. They pretty much write these cars off from fender benders

But I think it is for the best. This car has treated you like sh!t. Just sucks that you finally get it going well and boom.

Hmmmm, I wonder what my mother-in-law will say when she see's this Mike. She really liked your car when it was at her place!!!

I had about 5-10 people come up to me when my car was pulled off the street and into the gas station. All complimenting me on how nice the car was and how it hurts to see it banged up. So yeah, thanks for the words Ryan, as that's the mindset I'm trying to give myself at the moment.

I know I was at a fault - hense the ticket. But put her in my car and me in hers and I would be SURE that the accident wouldn't have happened. I didn't hear tires skid or anything. I just wish it was possible for me to see what she saw. I'm positive she saw the car turn out of the gas station, and I don't know about you guys, but if the traffic is backed up on the lanes beside me... I'm always cautious when in a turning lane when approaching the intersection.

Ouch! Sorry sorry to hear, but you are ok at least!

Wow that sucks Mike! That's literally right in front of my office building. It happens there all the time, there's even a sign at the gas station warning about how wide the road is. There are always cars and trucks hanging out in that median lane.

Yeah I saw the sign, and the tow truck driver mentioned that accidents happen all the time here, just like how mine did. All I wanted was to go to the coin-op car wash!

I felt nervous crossing the lanes of traffic, but when the SUV signaled for me to go ahead, and the truck remained stopped, I figured it was safe. Stupid mistake It's equivalent to turning left at an intersection with a huge transport truck in the opposite left turning lane, when you can't see around it.

Well I know a guy with a nice 2000 Jetta 2L for sale for a good price

but all in all, it coulda been a lot worse my dude, so it's good that you are alright, still breathing, and can take on the next project!

And this is why I'm scared to drive my car after all the work that has been put into it. Well, that and I'm a big wimp.

X2.... LMAO!

Well say they do write it off, what $ do you think they will offer to me? 97's arent listed on the black book value website

I'm hoping that it is between $7000-$8000. The tow truck driver seemed confident that I'd get more than $7000. Then I would have to factor in the buy back cost (if that is an option), and the tow home, to go ahead with the part out.

I'd say expect 5k

A buddy of mine's 99 Corolla got written off, the average price on Kijiji was around 2500, they offered him $1500, sometimes they are snakes forsure.

But then again the blue book value in the states rates that car at 6k, so maybe 7k wont be that far off!

The lowest price on Kijiji for something similar to mine was $5500 (Well, it's a stock Spyder). All the others are $7500+. I just searched the GTA.

I'll have my fingers crossed for the appraisal.

As for the ticket - do you think X-Copper is my best option? Or is there another company who could help me better. I don't think this ticket will be difficult to get reduced or even removed, given the situation.

Doesn't X copper say if they don't win they don't charge or something?

Ah frack! Mike, so so so so so sorry to see that. You're Spyder is one of the cleanest I've seen in Ontario. frack!

Get someone to represent you and fight the ticket. I was a victim of a hit and run years ago. I fought it and it was dropped to some $20 ticket that has since been off my record.

Buy the car back and part it out. It might take some time to off load everything but you'll make more in the end.

Again, so sorry to see and I feel terrible for you man.

Yeah that's their motto, so it certainly can't hurt to give it a shot.

Mike, sorry to see the car in that condition

Glad your alright though man! I'd fight the ticket too, use whatever means necessary and get that dropped down to a failure to yield. The last thing you need is that following you around for the next couple years.

Keep your head up man.

My experience with Points & X-Copper is their both useless. Now mine were both speeding tickets, years ago but in both cases, neither got the tickets thrown out, they were both just reduced, something I could have easily done myself for free. Being reduced is the same as winning & you still have to pay.

Be interesting to know what insurance company says. My experience with insurance companys is their d-bags & will try & screw you out of as much as they can. It wouldn't surprise me if the offer you $2K. Get as many ads as you can with actual similiar vehicles. When I had a previous vehicle written off years back (not my fault), my insurance offered me a 1/3rd of what the vehicle was worth. They said this is the "going rate" for my car. Had them send over the ads they were comparing it too & none of them even ran, bad engine, bad tranny, missing engine & tranny, etc.

You can get a second appraisal & they do have to pay for it (appraiser has to be approved by a certain agency). The first "appraiser" that appraised my car didn't even come to look at it. The first appraiser they send works for them, so you know what kind of appraisal your going to get from him.

I couldn't find anything related to that on their website, but when I speak with them tomorrow... I'll be sure to ask. They just advertise that it's free for me to go in and talk to them.

The shitty thing about the part out is the time it would take and me not being very mechanic-savy to remove certain parts. I don't think people would be to keen on me saying "come remove the parts yourself"

Sorry to see this happen! I always saw your spider going down Dundas also... I honestly hate COPthra!

Ouch, I really liked your car. Glad that you are ok man. Be safe!

Darvesh

This is true, but it doesn't mean what most people think it means. If you ask them some point-blank, direct questions, they WILL tell you the truth about that slogan.

In short, what most people would define as "win" is not the same as what they define as "win". They define win as ANY reduction in the amount of fine, demerit points, jail time, damages, etc, etc. ANY reduction of any of the above. So, for example, a reduction of $1 for a ticket, or one demerit point, or one day less of jail time, etc, etc. ANY reduction = win according to their definition. Ask them that exact question: "How do you define win?" They'll tell you.

I went to points years ago. I had a good experience, got my no insurance charge thrown right out. $600 for points was better than $6000 for no insurance.

Yeah that's how I see it Tom. The fine is $490 with 6 points. I can't afford that on my record.

From what I've been reading, it is very common for a cop to hand out this charge when a collision is involved, and he/she does not want to take the time to properly look at the situation. It's "easy" for him/her to be like yeah whatever, here's a careless driving charge.

I think I'd be too nervous to stand infront of a judge in court to represent myself which is why I think I need to get legal help. Though under the Trial Option on the ticket, there is an statement that says I'm able meet with the prosecutor before the trial which I think I could get enough courage to do.

In my experience, meeting with the prosecutor has always been positive. For me they've always been easy to deal with & have dropped the tickets. I've gone with muffler & tire tickets, always thrown out. Probably met with 4 or 5 over the years, different locations & always seemed to be "easy to get along with". Though I have heard others that weren't so lucky (but I guess that could also have something to do with the person & why their trying to get out of & their reason).

If I met with the prosecutor, would that be at any cost to me?

I guess there is a chance that the prosecutor could say there is nothing he/she can do... and in that case, I'd have to set a trial date and hire X-Copper/Points? Or would that "ruling" stand? I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is there any risk at me trying to deal with this before it see's a judge?

Whatever you do, don't plead guilty to anything, there's an option to plead guilty but meet with the judge or whatever to plead your case, do not choose that, because you are still saying you are guilty.

Plead non-guilty and set a court date, usually the court date wont be for a few months at least.

you don't pay to meet with the prosecutor, when you show up to court on the date on your ticket,they will ask you if you want to speak with the prosecutor when your name is call in court. if you say yes,they will call you outside and they will offer you the deal(thats how it works in Toronto) just show up 30 mins early,they would ask if anyone wants to make a deal(same deal what x copper etc does and call it a win,unless they tell you they can have your case dismiss,other than that they are useless) everyone get a deal.

if you want to take a chance,ask for a trial.on you trial date if the cop shows up,ask for an adjournment because you want to get a lawyer,cop usually don't show up for a second trial unless you were an ass when you got a ticket and were memorable. when you got lemon,make lemonade....think of what your next ride is gonna be good luck

Ouch

Fight it whatever you do man. If you get that full ticket on your record, insurance will most likely bend you right over.

Speak to lawyers, and see what they can do. They gegerally know their stuff, and can give you an idea of what chances you have in court with this kind of ticket/situation.

At least you are okay though. Tickets will go away, and cars are everywhere. But you only have one life.

I would fight it, take the time now while everything is fresh in your mind and write down ever and I mean every aspect of the accident google maps will give you shots that you might not have. Make it as clear as possible and note every thing step by step. Dont go into the aspects of not doing anything cause your life flashed before your eyes. Tickets are not that hard to beat in court ive beaten many in my hayday. You just have to have more info and be able to create a shodow of a doubt that you were not wrong in your actions. The cop wasnt there so it should not be that hard to fight. Do you know if she got one as well?
SOrry to hear about the car, she was a beauty

Mike,

Really sorry to hear! You have not had a lot of luck with this car, hope the next one treats you better!

I agree with the couple of posts above..you should be able to fight this yourself, just by meeting with the prosecuter. Just remain calm, pleasant, and honest. If they don't offer you an acceptable deal, then the next step is to see if the cop appeared. If he did NOT, then just plead not guilty, case will be thrown out. If the cop IS there, then ask for time to get a lawyer. You can just explain that you had expected to be able to negotiate with the prosecuter, but since you were unable to, you now need a lawyer. YOu can then STILL go to points or to a lawyer...

Glad no one was hurt!

How much time is usually given when I ask to get a lawyer involved? Do you suggest that I not even call X-Copper until I meet with the prosecutor?

I would NOT meet with Xcopper first, meet with the prosecutor first. Once you involve Xcopper, they will take control and tell you to say nothing.

Usually the courts are pretty tied up, so a remand would likely be for quite a bit into the future..

Just don't become confrontational with the prosecutor. If you can't reach an agreement, just inform him nicely that you had really expected that he would be more co-operative, and that you now feel the need to get legal representation.

I would think at the very least they should knock it down to something like failing to yield and no more than 2 or 3 points.

As others have said, IF XCopper still has you found guilty, but gets the fine reduced by even one dollar, they will charge you their fees.