Well, today I have some time to sit by the computer, so I decided to make a description of the accident.
Stage 1.
I am just driving along and a guy in front of me accelerates to take the car in front.
<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/other/scene1.jpg" alt=" - " />
Stage 2
He does it pretty slow, at least not fast enough to leave a gap (of space and time) for oncoming traffic. The (yellow) driver overreacted and instead of braking he started to maneuver, which ended in skidding. He had plenty of time to brake a long time before (it was an absolutely straight road), but he probably wanted to play 'macho' and accelerated to hurry up the gray driver.
<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/other/scene2.jpg" alt=" - " />
Stage 3
The yellow driver exaggerated with his 'machismo' and there he was speeding out of control right at me.
<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/other/scene3.jpg" alt=" - " />
Stage 4
I was trying to escape him by turning right. In fact half of my truck was already rolling off the road, but this was not enough. The yellow guy was at such an angle that I couldn't avoid him. So I decided to turn right as much as possible, because I wanted to take the blow with my side, to minimize the forces. He had a passenger car, so I knew that he would squeeze under my cab instead of hitting the door. I achieved that partially, but the major hit was at the front wheel anyway. It's strange that the moment lasts a second, yet your mind works so fast that you can analyze things. Those who had accidents know what I mean.
<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/other/scene4.jpg" alt=" - " />
Stage 5
There we were on opposite sides of the road. The guy's car spun a few times. My truck just stopped.
<img src="http://www.jedrak.com/4runner/other/scene5.jpg" alt=" - " />
So now the legal part. The police and ambulance arrived. The guy was taken to hospital in a shock. He hit so hard that he lost his shoes in the car, and he even mixed up the directions and was telling the police that he was driving together with me. But he calmed down and started remembering things, and he corrected his statement. The thing is the guilty initiator of the accident pays for the damage from his insurance. If the road were empty (with only the two of us) then the thing is obvious (the policemen told me that I am innocent beyond any doubt). But there was this 'gray' guy who was overtaking another car. If the yellow guy confirms that he was frightened or scratched by the gray guy, then we will have to wait until the police catch the gray guy and we will charge his insurance. This is obviously rubbish, because there is no way to catch the guy and he will not turn up deliberately. So now I am in a situation that I will have to wait 3 or 4 years for the case to be closed and only then I will get my money back. But if the yellow guy takes the guilt, then his insurance company will pay. We will see today, as he is feeling better and has calmed down.
I am furious that some of you doubted that I won't be looking for another 4runner <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />
Of course I will, but I am sad because 4runners are very rare in Europe and have never been imported to Poland <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> . Not to mention the fact that there is a crisis right now in Poland. People used to earn an average of 2000$ a month, and now the average wage is 400$ can you imagine this crap?. Apart from that, the insurance companies pay cash according to market prices of cars, without looking at the version and condition of my truck. So I will have to say goodbye to alloy rims, 11.5 wide tires, fender flares (obligatory for wide tires). But the most trustrating thing is the interior. I absolutely loved my cherry color interior and it was rare indeed. That's what gave me sunshine and happiness during the winter and also relaxed me in the summer... the nice cherry color. I won't have these things back. If it goes well, I will end up with a bone stock, badly equipped 4runner with a F*%#ING GRAY INTERIOR <img border="0" alt="[Barf]" title="" src="graemlins/barf.gif" /> . Not to mention that I will have to make all the mods once again.
The truth is, that no matter how much cash they give me (and they tend to lower the values), I am a definite looser and I will never have such a fine truck.
I am happy that I am in full health, but you know... if you hit a passenger car it would be abnormal to get hurt worse than the 'opponent'.
OK, got to go to cry myself out. I will post pictures next week... I am still too sad to go and see my baby.
