Wendy's new shine.  Reflections of Ulrich and John

Me, Steve and Wendy.  Man,
he must be so glad to be rid
of us.

Everything seems to be in order.

Ulrich, me, and his Mini

The four of us

I gave Steve the cheque that The Hartford had given me and also had to pay the $500 deductible, which should be refunded along with my rental charges once the claim goes to Farmer's.  On Monday I'll start dealing with the paperwork.  Apparently I can put in something called a "Diminished Value" claim but will need to hire an appraiser.  For now, I just want to get to know Wendy again.  I've been drained financially and healthwise by this whole affair and, while happy to have my car back, am finding it difficult to resurrect my pre-crash spark.

I should mention that it looks as if U.S. Auto Connection did a great job.  They run a reputable outfit and use the best equipment.  I hope to recommend them to everyone once I'm sure Wendy's okay.  An out-of-town roadtrip seems like a good idea.

Now it's time to move on to Wendy's new and (I hope) happy page.

2:10 p.m. (what restraint).  Called back.  To paraphrase Steve, "let me make sure the tests are finished.  Oh, and I need to check with Kip [the Hartford Insurance Co. appraiser] that it's okay to release the car.  Are you at work?  I'll call you back in an hour."

He didn't.  Hey, I'm not going to rush him.  It's only been 90 days.

I didn't ask him about the a.c. line.

I had to take my rental car in today, have it checked, and sign a new contract.  They charged my credit card $808.

I should change the name of this page to the Whining Page.  Sorry.  You don't have to read it.  I won't even mention it on the home page when there's new stuff.

When Wendy is home there will be a brand new, happy page :)

I should try to understand what's going on more than I am but 1) don't like to bother the experts, and 2) am only interested in getting Wendy back and on the road, but not before she's perfect and just like I remember her.

I woke up at this ungodly hour wondering if that meant that a new fender would require two more paint jobs.  Steve had mentioned something about finding the correct fender "on a lot" and that he hoped I'd be driving Wendy out of the shop on Friday.

I'm taking that with a grain of salt.

We are driving to San Antonio today for a Dead Angels concert at the Scenic Loop Cafe.  I guess Wendy misses another trip.  Bummer.

Home tomorrow.

Of course, I suppose the insurance company will have to send a cheque before she can be released from the body shop.  I'm not sure how this all works.

Steve told me to call him in the morning.  This is a great improvement on "call me at the end of next week."

I think it's almost time to start shopping for red roses.

Steve told me to call back at the end of next week.

I'm considering flying to Oxford and raiding the Mini plant.

I want my car back!

My big concern now is that I'm experiencing leg pain.  Whether this is accident related or not, I don't know, but I'm starting to feel that dreaded pins and needles followed by numbness in my right leg.  This is exactly the same thing that happened to my left leg two years ago, which got worse and worse, culminating in back surgery (two discs removed).  I've gone back on the Naprocyn, but am feeling a little scared.

That picture will be my laptop wallpaper for at least a few weeks.  Thanks, Jeff!

I've got the guy's name, and am seriously thinking of plastering it over this page WITH his 'phone number.

I called his boss, who said there was nothing he could do.  He says the car is only 68% totalled (their limit is 70%) and they were only considering totalling it even if the parts could be returned.

I called Momentum Mini to find out if their non-return policy was really true.  Left a message in Rick Lynch's voicemail.  I have yet to receive a return call from anyone at that place on any subject.

The attorney I spoke to last week is on vacation, so I called an attorney friend of John's.  He gave me a good 15 minutes of his time on the 'phone and suggested I call the insurance company back on the lines of "hey, this is your problem.  You take care of it."  He said that if I did hire him or another attorney it would cost about $1,000.

I need some time to collect my thoughts and will try over the weekend to decide on my next plan of action.

Man, do I feel like one of the "little people".

I had accepted the fact that Wendy would be repaired, even though the estimate has nearly reached $13,000.  I called U.S. Auto on Monday to ask how things were going.  They were still waiting on three "cosmetic" parts (headlight lashes?  Mini makeup?  mirror gloss?) but said they could start the work without them.  That cheered me, even though they said it was unlikely she'd be home for Christmas.

But then on Tuesday afternoon I got a message in my voicemail that bugged me.  It was from Hartford (my insurance company).  They said they'd just talked to U.S. Auto who said they couldn't start the work because they hadn't got all the parts in.  Hartford added that my car rental allowance under my policy was only for a month, and that they couldn't cover it any longer.  They suggested I called Farmer's (to whom all the bills will eventually be sent) to ask them about picking up the tab for an extended rental.

Both these pieces of news upset me.  I seem to be getting different information from everyone.  Anyway, I called the Farmer's adjuster and left a message for him to call me.  I called again yesterday and left another message.  Then I tried again around midday and he actually picked up the 'phone.  I asked him if he knew that the estimate had gone up to $13,000 and that the car was sitting in the body shop waiting for parts.  He said he didn't, and was surprised.  I then asked him if he could give me the okay to extend my rental.  He said he couldn't guarantee it as the bills were sent to another office.  I then asked him if he could take over the claim handling and just total the car and let me find a replacement.  He said he couldn't do that either as he was "out of the loop."  He suggested that if I wanted to total the car I should hire an appraiser to go and look at it.  I flipped at this point.  "IT'S A BRAND NEW CAR WITH $13,OOO-WORTH OF DAMAGE!" I said.  Would you want it repaired if it was your car?

He thought for a moment, and then suggested I called my Hartford Agent.

My Hartford Agent?  "Who the heck is my Hartford Agent"? I wondered as I slammed down the 'phone.

I pulled out my policy and couldn't find any names on it, so called the Customer Service number.  Everyone was helpful, and I was transferred about five times to different offices.  I think I circled the United States, and finally ended up in the voicemail of my claim handler's supervisor.  I hung up, not wanting to leave a message, because my claim handler is a very nice person and I didn't want to cause any problems with her.

Then I started to get upset again.  I need a car to do my job, and damnit, I'd prefer to be driving a Mini and not worrying about having to pay $900 a month out of pocket for a rental.  It would be quicker to buy a new Mini than wait for Wendy to be repaired.  So I called the supervisor's number again and left a long message in his voicemail, asking him why his company was refusing to total the car.

Things started to happen after that.  I never heard back from the supervisor, but got a call from Kitt with Hartford, the person who appraised the car in the first place.  He said he'd see what he could do about pronouncing the car totalled, and asked me to fax him the Bill of Sale.

He called again an hour later.  The body shop told him that they'd already received $6,000-worth of spare parts and that Mini has a policy of not accepting returned parts.  And he said that Farmer's would never pay the claim with $6,000 tacked on it.

I called Momentum Mini to ask if this was true.  Yes, I got another voicemail.  I left my question in it but have yet to receive a return call from them.

I then called John Lloyd at Roadshow Mini in Memphis.  Got him right away and he headed over to the parts department to ask them.  They say that Mini has a 90-day return policy.

I gave this information to Kitt.

I last spoke to Kitt this morning.  He said he was waiting to speak with Momentum Mini about returning the parts.  He said he'd let me know as soon as he had some news.

I've been staring at the 'phone a lot today.

I guess I've messed everyone around during this whole affair.  I desperately wanted Wendy repaired when the damage was $5,000.  When I heard it was $12,000 it took me 24 hours to come to my senses and realize she had to be totalled.  I accepted it when I was told she would still be repaired.  But the events of this week have angered me.  Why do I have to run around trying to get someone's word that they'll cover the cost of my rental car?  Why does U.S. Auto tell me one thing and Hartford another?

If anyone's still reading, I'm amazed.  But it's good therapy to put this stuff down on paper, or whatever this laptop's made of.  Look at that, I'm even ending sentences with prepositions.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's developments.

That's all I'm writing about my health for the next six weeks unless I make the announcement that I'm better.  This is Wendy's page, after all.

I spoke with another attorney.  He was very helpful and gave me a lot of his time and advice over the 'phone.  I will not be speaking to him again unless the insurance company gives me a hard time reimbursing me for my rental car, etc.

The insurance company confirmed that Wendy will be fixed and not totalled.  I'm not going to fight it.  Hey, maybe she'll be home for Christmas.  Latest word, however, from U.S. Auto, is that they are still waiting on three more parts.  They don't start the work until all the parts have arrived.

Message:

The accident occurred at around 8:50 pm on the 52 West freeway in San Diego. We were just passing, I believe, the 163 freeway.

Without getting into all of the details, let me just say that my wife was driving and we lost control of the car, mainly because she overcorrected the steering. We were travelling the speed limit, which is about 65mph.

We hit a car that was on our right side and hooked his rear quarter panel, which twisted our car slightly. At that point, we flipped the car on its side (driver's side) and skidded about 50 or 60 yards. After that, and I have no idea how this happened, we got turned upside down on the roof. We have a panoramic sunroof (backseat and front seat) and those exploded because of the friction with the freeway.

Sparks were shooting into the vehicle as we travelled upside down and there was a very bright orange glow, which really scared me as I thought the car might start on fire. (The car never started on fire, by the way.) We were completely harnessed in by our seatbelts so there was plenty of room between the roof and our seats. Probably a good foot and a half. We travelled upside down for a good five seconds (not sure on distance).

I was alert the entire time and was thinking that I wanted to stop. I had no injuries that I could feel. My wife had no injuries that we could see.

When the car came to a complete stop, we both looked over at each other and confirmed that neither of us were seriously hurt. At that point we both released our seatbelts and dropped with a thud on the ground. I bumped my head and so did my wife, which gave her a concussion. But she was still conscious.

Next, I yelled at the wife to bolt out of the car. That wasn't a problem since my wife's door was completely gone. It was down the road somewhere.

We both, miraculously, only sustained minor (and I mean minor) cuts and bruises. Aside from my wife's concussion, we made it out with flying colors. My wife was kept in the hospital tonight just for observation. She is completely alert and doing well. It's just a precaution.

The MINI, by the way, was totalled. No two ways about it. But it handled like a champ and saved its passengers. That's all that counts. The fact that we both walked away says a lot about the safety of this car. Airbags deployed as they should. The car's gas line was cut off, the battery was disabled, the car's hazards flashed as they should, and the doors remained locked during the entire incident (except my wife's, of course, which was sheered off).

Four hours after the accident and I am home. My wife would be home, too, except for the fact that they want to watch her overnight. A CAT scan revealed no injuries.

So, we are safe, the car is totalled, and we have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving.

We will be getting another MINI Cooper S.

A friend took pictures, and I will eventually post them up.

Take care.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all Mini people on the Roadfly message board, and other friends who have given me advice and encouragement.  I hope to answer all your e-mails over the next four days.  Meanwhile, I know you're wondering about Wendy's fate.

I'm a 140-lb. . . . okay okay . . . a 150-lb. weakling.  It seems that every time I talk to someone they sway me in their direction.  I called Steve at U.S. Auto on Tuesday morning to tell him that I was going to push to have Wendy totalled.  He told me I was making a big mistake and that he could make Wendy like new.  The other insurance company said they'd send their adjustor round to look at her and that they'd call me back.  Nobody called.  When I called them yesterday they gave me a brand new name and number to call.  I called my own insurance company and asked them to handle it.  They said it was too late to total her because the repairs had already started.  They said they'd see what they could do and would call me back.  They didn't.  Incidentally, the estimate is now nearly up to $13,000.

The thought that Wendy's being repaired and could be home in two weeks is wonderful.  But . . . I called Momentum Mini.  Andres said that the warranty would still be valid BUT stressed strongly that I should have her totalled as her resale value would plummet.

While all this is going on I'm hurting and far too emotional to handle this on my own.  Tomorrow I shall call an attorney and have him take over.

And today I shall put all my documents in order, open an Excel spreadsheet and try and re-create all the conversations I've had with everyone.  I should have done this from Day One.

I talked to Farmer's Insurance, who, incidentally, have accepted full liability for the accident, and they are sending their adjustor over there tomorrow.  If they say she can be fixed, is that good?  If they say she's totalled, I'll get a new car, but will have to wait for six months, or whatever the waiting period is now.  And if I order a new one from Momentum Mini, who are charging $2,000 over the sticker price, who pays?

I followed a beautiful black Cooper S down Memorial Drive this morning.  The pain was unbearable.  Can I go for six months looking at other people in their Minis?

My heart wants Wendy fixed.  I don't know what to do.  Should I insist on a new Mini whatever Farmer's says?  My arm hurts.  I feel weak and indecisive.

I picked up the accident report from the police on Monday.  At first I thought they'd given me the wrong one.  There were three cars involved.  Click here to see the page with the diagram (I am Car No. 1).  I can't believe it.  Apparently I hit two cars (the other being a Ford Escort).  I guess my vision was blocked when the airbags deployed.  It's a five-page report and I'm also putting the first page on here, with personal information removed.  Although the report says the other driver didn't have insurance that is not correct.  She just didn't produce it at the scene.  (Relief)  Also, the policeman who ticketed her gave her a court date of October 2002.  A little late, I think.  I did make inquires as to her health through her insurance agent.  She was released from the hospital, just "shaken up," and her mother has apparently grounded her for a few months.

As for my injuries.  They haven't been pleasant.  My leg is still swollen and bruised but doesn't hurt. My left arm is still painful.  I went to the doctor on Monday.  He x-rayed my neck (not my arm), put one of those collars on me, gave me a prescription for Darvocet, and told me to make an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon.  The first available is December 4th.  I'm hoping that by the time it comes around I'll be feeling better.  The pain goes from my elbow up to my shoulder blade.  It feels as if it's being gripped in a vice (vise?).

I've rented a car.  It smells of stale tobacco smoke.  I could have wept yesterday as I drove to Navasota and Anderson on a work trip.  The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and as I got further into cowboy country the roads were empty.  Wendy would have loved the curves and the hills.

I miss her so much.

The Steve I talked to endeared me to him.  He attached Wendy's back license plate without raising an eyebrow and waited patiently while I took pictures.

The pictures are ugly, but the good news is that there doesn't seem to be any damage further back than the windscreen.  Her windows open fine and the doors open and close snugly.  Even her right headlight is intact.  They are not allowed to open her bonnet until the insurance investigator gets there so don't know the extent of the damage underneath.    Apparently the insurance companies will call a car "totalled" if it has more than 70% damage.  Steve thinks there's a good chance that she'll be fixable.

Steve rang Momentum Mini while I was there, and there doesn't seem to be a problem getting parts.  He thought the longest delay would be producing an estimate for the insurance company as the parts are not yet listed in in the database.

So now I just have to wait for the insurance company's decision.

Meanwhile Wendy will sit in that sad yard and await her fate.